Australia - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Accolade Wines taken over by consortium

Published: 05 February, 2024

Accolade Wines, Australia’s second-largest producer, has been taken over by a consortium of investors led by Bain & Co, the US-based management consulting company.

Pinot Noir in spotlight at Australia Trade Tasting

Published: 01 February, 2024

The Australia Trade Tasting returned to London on 30 January 2024, showcasing more than 700 wines from 200 wine producers to hundreds of trade and media in the UK.

Negociants International to operate as Hill-Smith Family Estates

Published: 30 January, 2024

Six-generation family-owned winery and merchant Hill-Smith Family Estates has announced its distribution business, Negociants International, will retire its business name and operate as Hill-Smith Family Estates (HSFE) from 1 February 2024.

Hallgarten lands Rathbone Wine Group distribution

Published: 29 January, 2024

Specialist wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has been appointed exclusive UK distributor of The Rathbone Wine Group, a leading family owned group of Australian fine wine producers which are now making the leap from Bibendum.

New Generation Wines adds Barossa’s Elderton

Published: 16 January, 2024

New Generation Wines (New Gen), an importer and wholesaler specialising in independent and family-owned wineries, has announced it will exclusively distribute Elderton wines in the UK, its first wine from Australia.

TWE announces two UK hires

Published: 07 December, 2023

Premium Australian wine company, Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), has announced two key UK hires for the business.

Penfolds ‘Luxury & Icon’ wines join La Place

Published: 27 November, 2023

Penfolds has appointed La Place de Bordeaux as an official distributor partner for its ‘Luxury & Icon’ wines across EMEA, effective 30 January 2024.

Oxford Landing brings ‘duty-friendly’ wines to market

Published: 16 November, 2023

Oxford Landing Wines, owned by Australian winery Hill-Smith Family Estates, has launched two low-alcohol wines to the UK market.

Freixenet Copestick and Wakefield Wines announce distribution agreement

Published: 10 November, 2023

South Australian family-owned winery Wakefield Wines and Freixenet Copestick have today (10 November) announced a strategic distribution partnership covering the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Wigan succeeds Rose at Hill-Smith Family Estates

Published: 06 November, 2023

Hill-Smith Family Estates has announced that Sam Wigan will take over the role of head winemaker from Louisa Rose ahead of the 2024 vintage.

Wine Australia targets 40% emissions reduction by 2030

Published: 13 September, 2023

A newly released Emissions Reduction Roadmap for the Australian grape and wine sector has outlined steps to reduce the sector’s carbon emissions by more than 40% before 2030.

Cape Mentelle joins the Bancroft portfolio

Published: 08 September, 2023

Cape Mentelle, one of the original five wineries founded in Western Australia’s Margaret River in 1970, has joined the Bancroft portfolio.

Cherubino Wines acquires Margaret River Winemakers

Published: 29 August, 2023

Cherubino Wines has announced the acquisition of Margaret River Winemakers, a winery and spirits brand located on Bussell Highway, 14km west of Margaret River township.

Fourth Wave Wine lauds FTA for UK growth

Published: 23 August, 2023

Australian wine company, Fourth Wave Wine, has reported that since launching into the UK market in August 2022, it has made significant strides with UK retail customers and consumers alike, by surpassing more than 500,000 sold.

Yangarra joins Fells portfolio

Published: 21 August, 2023

John E Fells & Sons has strengthened its portfolio of premium family-owned wines from Australia with the addition of Yangarra Estate – a family-owned producer specialising in, but not limited to, Grenache.

Gallo embraces premium Oz with Wirra Wirra partnership

Published: 17 August, 2023

Wirra Wirra has signed a distribution agreement with California giant E. & J. Gallo to boost the Mclaren Vale winery’s presence in the US.

Bird In Hand Wine appoints Sam Harrop MW

Published: 11 August, 2023

Top Aussie estate Bird In Hand has added a string to its feathery bow via the appointment of Sam Harrop MW, in the role of consultant winemaker.

Kate Goodman named Australian Winemaker of the Year

Published: 03 August, 2023

Kate Goodman, head winemaker for Penley Estate Winery, in Coonawarra, South Australia, has been named Australian Winemaker of the Year 2024 by the Halliday Wine Companion.

Oz Vintage 2023 estimated to be “smallest in a generation”

Published: 11 July, 2023

According to the results of Wine Australia’s National Vintage Survey, the 2023 Australian winegrape crush was the lowest reported since 2000, a 24% decrease on the 2022 crush of 1.73m tonnes and 26% below the 10-year average of 1.78m tonnes.

Adelaide to host next IMW symposium

Published: 03 July, 2023

After four days of tastings and talks among the finest palates in the industry, The Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) concluded the 10th international symposium by announcing Adelaide as the next host region for the event, with the symposium heading to South Australia in 2026.