From a strategic discussion a partnership was formed and as a result, BevChain was created. Today, BevChain successfully consolidates products from over 25 different customers, including some of Australia’s favourite beer brands for distribution across Australia and BevChain is continuing to grow. In 2006, the family owned logistics powerhouse Linfox came together with brewing giant Lion to create Bevchai…

In a year of major news for Peter Lehmann Wines, one thing that has remained consistent has been the succession planning for the key role of Chief Winemaker. After all, taking over from the twice IWSC International Winemaker of the Year (2003 and 2006) and the maker of the Jimmy Watson Trophy winning 1989 Stonewell Shiraz, is not something to take lightly. Andrew Wigan’s career has formed a significant ch…

At the end of last year, Raj Nagra, Global Brand Ambassador of 13 years for Bombay Sapphire was in Australia, supporting the launch of the brand’s latest initiative here – Project Botanicals. Project Botanicals was a unique activation run by the brand between mid-November to the beginning of December, which invited consumers to its pop-up bar and restaurant in Melbourne for a unique and new ‘Ginstronomy’ …

[divider] At the beginning of October, Chivas Regal’s Master Blender, Colin Scott, had arrived in Australia to help with the official launch of the brand’s first new expression in just under ten years – Chivas Regal Extra. While Colin has been the Master Blender for Chivas for 41 years, today his role mostly involves supporting Chivas as the face of the brand. That said, Colin’s love for whisky and blendi…

[divider] Former boss of Coles Liquor Group and the man behind Woolworths’ liquor retail chain Dan Murphy’s, Mr. Tony Leon, is without doubt, an industry guru. And having recently purchased 50 per cent of Steve’s Liquor (south Australian independent liquor chain based in Victoria and Tasmania), Tony now embarks on business with the independents. Tony foresees a tough market climate, yet remains confident …

[divider] ALDI has generally been known for keeping its presence in the media minimal, which as a result, has created a certain level on interest into how things are run at the ALDI headquarters. ALDI’s mission is to help shoppers live richer for less, but just how is that achieved? Have you ever wondered how ALDI decides what goes on shelves and how suppliers can get their products in front of the ALDI b…

[divider] The competition watchdog, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has recently begun legal proceedings against Coles, claiming that the supermarket giant has “engaged in unconscionable conduct” against its suppliers, by forcing suppliers into making “profit gap” (the difference between the amount of profit Coles had wanted to make on those goods and the amount it had achieved) and…

[divider] In 2009, 12 of Australia’s leading family owned Australian wineries came together to form Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW). Together, the 12 represent generations of winemaking, which have not only upheld the Australian wine industry, but have driven it to where it is today. The group formed to celebrate and share their story. Spanning 16 of Australia’s infamous wine regions and four st…

For 38 years, Ger Buckley has worked as a cooper for Jameson. On a trip to Australia, Ger sat down with drinks trade ’s Mark Henderson and explained his passion for cooperage and working with wood to shape the casks that generate the unique flavour profile of Jameson Irish Whiskey. drinks trade : Welcome to Australia. How are you finding it so far? Ger Buckley: I am loving it. I lived in Sydney for a w…

Sitting down with drinks trade ’s Ashley Pini , St Hugo’s chief red winemaker Sam Kurtz looked at 30 years of St Hugo, Chinese wine tastes, an international market push, his history in wine and explained what the future might have in store for St Hugo. drinks trade : It’s been 30 years, are there big birthday plans for St Hugo? SK: We have got a 30-year retrospective tasting in the Barossa where we wil…