Family-owned Australian distributor of premium spirits and liqueurs Think Spirits has recently launched its own fresh fig liqueur, a landmark event for the company. Esprit de Figues is a brand that the Think Spirits team, lead by Managing Director Patrick Borg, created from scratch. Inspired by Borg’s Mediterranean heritage, Esprit de Figues has been crafted from his mother’s favourite fruit. Upon her migration from Malta to Australia in the 1960s, Borg’s ...

Natalie Fryar, previously sparkling winemaker for Jansz Tasmania, is now the proud owner of her own gin brand in the southern state. Setting up shop permanently in Tasmania, Fryar has partnered with co-owner and new business partner, Kim Seagram, to launch The Abel Gin Company. Fryar and Seagram are currently making the gin using their own still named Genevive out at Launceston Airport’s heritage-listed Hangar 17, the same space used by ...

Natasha Mooney, one of South Australia’s most respected winemakers, has launched her own brand marketed under the name La Bise Wines. Mooney will leave Fox Gordon Wines at the end of November and release her first two products from the Adelaide Hills - a 2016 Pinot Gris and 2014 Tempranillo. Mooney has received a number of awards in her years as a winemaker, including at the 2016 International Wine Challenge ...

Brown Brothers is challenging consumers to see the colour brown through a different lens with the launch of its Masterbrand campaign. The campaign, entitled ‘Brown Is’, uses a mix of film, digital and out-of-home-media. Fourth generation family member and Winemaker Katherine Brown features in the film, and plays an important role in reminding consumers about tradition, whilst also attempting to bring relevance to the brand. “Unfortunately, at times the colour ...

Rosés and sparkling wines proved on-trend this year, with a 52 per cent increase in the entries of these wines at the 2016 Sydney International Wine Competition. New Zealand’s The Ned Pinot Rosé took out the Trophy for Best Still Rosé Wine, and Clover Hill Tasmanian Cuvée NV Rosé the Trophy for Best Australian Sparkling Wine. The debut Pink by Design 2016 Rosé, produced by TV celebrity Graham Norton and ...

Hobart Brewing Company in Tasmania is celebrating its second anniversary with the release of a Colorado IPA. The big and bold limited edition beer pays tribute to Hobart Brewing Co.’s co-founder and Head Brewer, Scott Overdorf, who learned his craft in the shadows of the Colorado Rockies. Scott moved over to Tasmania and honed his brewing skills at Moo Brew for five years before meeting local beer fanatic, Brendan Parnell. ...

Sydney start-up eBev looks to provide hospitality venues with a platform to manage all their wine suppliers. The platform aims to save time and drive efficiency, with features including analysis and industry benchmarking tools to aid its users in managing their beverage programs. The traditional time-consuming task of managing stock and fulfilling beverage orders from multiple suppliers can be replaced using eBev. The company says it only takes around ten ...

Prue Henschke has been awarded Viticulturist of the Year as part of the 2016 Australian Women in Wine Awards. The award was sponsored by Wine Australia and judged on the contribution of individual viticulturists to their businesses, their use of innovation and/or best practice methods. As viticulturist for the 148 year-old family winery, Henschke manages the 105 hectare vineyard, spanning from Eden Valley to Lenswood in the Adelaide Hills wine ...

Chivas Regal has released its first-ever blended malt Scotch whisky, Ultis, which honours both the Speyside region and former and current Master Blenders. The whisky is a blend of five signature single malts from five areas of Speyside in Scotland - from Tormore to Longmorn, Strathisla, Allt A’Bhainne and Braeval. Chivas’ unique blending team selected the five signature malts from an inventory of some one million casks. Of all that ...

Coopers Brewery has announced a packaging refresh of its Coopers Premium Lager and Coopers Premium Light, expected to hit the shelves later this month. The repackaging and relaunch follows on from the Coopers Clear revamp, which showcased a new blue and silver theme and an emphasis on the beer’s “freshness, sessionability and low carb credentials.” Coopers Premium Lager and Premium Light will be repackaged in 355 ml green glass bottles. ...