Chairman of the LMG Board, Wayne Bayfield, announced on October 13 that the group’s CEO and Executive Director, Doug Misener, had given his resignation to the board. Misener’s resignation will be effective from the end of November this year and the group has already appointed Finance Director, Gavin Saunders, to take over Misener’s role when he leaves. Saunders has been with LMG since 2012 and was part of the negotiations ...

A new report released by IBISWorld this week, predicts that alcohol consumption in Australia will reach an all-time low in 2016-17. Researchers are estimating figures that will put consumption at the lowest it’s been in the last 50 years. Alcohol consumption in Australia has been consistently declining over the last few years. Now, IBISWorld expects per capita alcohol consumption will decrease by a further 0.8 per cent over 2016-17, to 9.37 litres ...

Gage Roads Brewing Co. has raised $8.5 million (before costs) and will now buy back Woolworths Limited’s shares in the company, cancelling Woolworths’ 23.5 per cent stake. Woolworths has been a major shareholder of Gage Roads since 2009, providing production, supply and distribution to the company, as well as access to up to 25 per cent of Australia’s total beer market. The buy-back is part of the Company’s five-year ‘Returning ...

Alcohol Beverages Australia (ABA) has responded to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) claims that the downward trend in problem drinking is linked to restrictions in alcohol pricing, availability and trading hours. The AIHW’s report found that “Research shows increasing the price of alcohol, restricting trading hours and reducing outlet density can have positive outcomes in reducing consumption and harms related to alcohol use.” While the AIHW’s research ...

Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) has just awarded d’Arry Osborn with 2016 South Australian Legend of the Vine at the WCA Royal Adelaide Wine Show Awards Lunch, in the presence of 300 industry peers. Having spent his lifetime of almost 90 years immersed in the wine industry, d’Arry has been recognised as an individual who has contributed substantially to Australian wine. In 1943, 16-year-old d’Arry began helping his father run ...

Winemakers will be relieved to learn the proposed 32.5 per cent ‘backpacker tax’ rate will be cut to 19 per cent. The tax rate reduction will apply to Working Holiday and Work and Holiday visa holders as of 1 January 2017. With the peak tourism and harvest season ahead, farmers and winemakers will look to backpackers to help harvest their crops across all regions through Working Holiday Maker visa applications. The programme ...

Endeavour Drinks Group has announced that Rose Scott, General Manager of Merchandising and Marketing, has accepted a new role within the business which will see her lead the group’s Chinese wholesale distribution business as Managing Director. Scott will take over the position from Ian Ford, current MD of Summergate Fine Wines, from October. Scott has been with Endeavour Drinks Group since 2013 and currently leads the overall buying and marketing ...

Winners of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) 2016 National Awards for Excellence were announced this evening at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast in Queensland. More than 460 attendees were in attendance to celebrate venues and individuals for excellence within the accommodation sector. Among the highlights of the evening was the induction of the newest member of the AHA’s Johnnie Walker Hall of Fame. President of the AHA, ...

It has been announced to the market today that The Sazerac Company has acquired SouthTrade International from Pinnacle Drinks. Tony Stubley, co-founder of SouthTrade said: “This change in ownership will allow us to open up new routes to market and service an even wider range of customers who are seeking our authentic and experiential brands as part of their drinks repertoire. Meanwhile, our relationship with Pinnacle could not be better and we will continue to ...

The Hon Ian Callinan AC QC’s review into the lockout laws and restrictions in New South Wales has been released. The Callinan Review received over 1,800 submissions in total and included almost 30 stakeholder sessions. Mr. Callinan’s report states that the lockout laws have made Kings Cross and the Sydney CBD safer and that they are valid. However, Mr. Callinan has suggested a number of changes to the existing legislation that ...