Matthew Hill Smith grew up in winemaking and after selling out of the Yalumba business, leaving it to his cousins Robert and Sam, his passion for wine led to  28 hectares in the Adelaide Hills. There’s a lot of history behind Marko’s Vineyard, both in family lines and winemaking. The cool climate, high altitude site was planted in 1994 by Matthew’s parents, Mark and Margie, and was managed by the family, …

The Wine Export Report, released by Wine Australia this week, shows China has moved into top position as our number one export market for wine. Wine exports to the country in the last year more than doubled to $474 million, the highest they’ve ever been. This is a significant increase from only a decade ago when Australian wine exports to China were valued at just $27 million. And Adam O’Neill, Internatio…

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 w…

The Australian Hotels Association (WA) is calling on more work to be done to revive tourism in Western Australia after data from the latest International Visitor Survey shows that spending has declined by -0.2 per cent in the state over the last year, while that number grew by 14.2 per cent on average across the country. “The majority of Australia is benefiting from an increase in visitor spending and WA …

Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) announced its FY16 half year results last Friday. The group reported a positive 3.2 per cent increase in Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) to $326.9 million, while the company’s Alcohol and Coffee business reported growth in EBIT by 33.6 per cent. In an interview with drinks bulletin, CCA’s Managing Director of Alcohol and Coffee, Shane Richardson, revealed his forecasts for…

Australian Vintage Limited (AVL) has reported a full year sales increase by 20% and revenue up by $11.8 million. The winery also reported a full year net profit result of $7.2 million prior to the vineyard lease termination cost of $9.2 million (after tax). AVL’s Chief Executive Neil McGuigan stated that “Over the last five years sales of AVL’s three key brands, McGuigan, Tempus Two and Nepenthe have almo…

Martin Smith, Managing Director at Endeavour Drinks Group, spoke at the drinks association’s Network Breakfast on Wednesday. Smith, who started working for Woolworths at the age of 18, talked about some of the improvements Endeavour Drinks Group has been making to its banners and offered advice to other retailers. Endeavour Drinks Group represents 1,487 stores nationally and internationally, making it the…

Once again, sommeliers from around Australia have sat the Introductory and Certified Sommelier Examinations held in Sydney on June 10th 2016, with much success. Established in 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers is the most esteemed vocational body for the industry, hosting the programme annually in participating countries around the globe. The first Court of Master Sommelier courses were held in Austral…

The Australian Beer Company is charting new territory in its exploration of domestic craft beer with the launch this month of an exciting new limited release beer brand. Combining Tall Tales and Cracking Ales , Beyond the Black Stump will bring to life the stories and characters behind some of Australia’s classic rural tales, as interpreted through the creativity and expertise of Australian Beer Company …

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has announced a number of significant changes to its wine supply and production network in the US as the company continues to integrate the newly acquired  Diageo wine business . TWE will begin consolidating production in California in the Central and North Coast regions, with Luxury wine production focused at the Beringer winery and Masstige wine at the Paso Robles winery. Pro…