Forget celebrity chefs – in restaurants across the world it’s sommeliers who are fast becoming the new superstars. Not so in New Zealand’s establishments yet. Although a growing assemblage of clued-up young hospitality professionals, increasingly backed by international qualifications, means this could be set to change. More restaurants are employing a sommelier, or, more likely in NZ, at least having a specific member of staff available to answer wine questions, reports The New Zealand Herald.

Winegrape growers in South Australia’s Riverland are hopeful of higher profits this season, as the first growers start harvest. Last year, the region’s growers experienced the lowest average prices in more than two decades and wet weather saw thousands of tonnes of grapes rejected by wineries because of disease. Loxton grower Brett Proud says prices have risen slightly this year and the weather has been more favourable, reports ABC News.

Riverina and Murray Valley winegrape growers have slammed the NSW Government’s response to an industry inquiry. The NSW Government refused to make a decision on all 10 recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry into the winegrape market and prices. The delayed response by the NSW Coalition – which took eight months to consider the report – means Riverina winegrape growers no longer have terms of payment protection from their statutory authority, reports Weekly Times Now.

Riverina and Murray Valley winegrape growers have slammed the NSW Government’s response to an industry inquiry. The NSW Government refused to make a decision on all 10 recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry into the winegrape market and prices. The delayed response by the NSW Coalition – which took eight months to consider the report – means Riverina winegrape growers no longer have terms of payment protection from their statutory authority, reports Weekly Times Now.

A $10 million investment from a Chinese backer has paid big dividends for WA winemaker Ferngrove. From a near-standing start 12 months ago, China now accounts for about 60 per cent of Ferngrove’s sales and the company’s logo adorns 12 retail outlets built especially to sell its product in 12 provinces across the country. After taking 20 per cent of Ferngrove in March, diversified manufacturing and food company Pegasus – owned by Chinese businessman Xingfa Ma – now owns 72.5 per cent and has launched a $3.8 million buyback to mop up remaining shareholders’ stock, reports the West Australian.

A $10 million investment from a Chinese backer has paid big dividends for WA winemaker Ferngrove. From a near-standing start 12 months ago, China now accounts for about 60 per cent of Ferngrove’s sales and the company’s logo adorns 12 retail outlets built especially to sell its product in 12 provinces across the country. After taking 20 per cent of Ferngrove in March, diversified manufacturing and food company Pegasus – owned by Chinese businessman Xingfa Ma – now owns 72.5 per cent and has launched a $3.8 million buyback to mop up remaining shareholders’ stock, reports the West Australian.

Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism says there are positive signs in the latest visitor numbers that international tourists are returning to the region. Over the Christmas-New Year period accommodation occupancy in the Hunter Valley was up by 17 per cent. Overall occupancy levels for 2011 increased by 10 per cent compared to the year before, while wine sales were also up by more than four per cent, reports ABC Newcastle.

Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism says there are positive signs in the latest visitor numbers that international tourists are returning to the region. Over the Christmas-New Year period accommodation occupancy in the Hunter Valley was up by 17 per cent. Overall occupancy levels for 2011 increased by 10 per cent compared to the year before, while wine sales were also up by more than four per cent, reports ABC Newcastle.

Wellington is set to welcome one of the wine industry’s most well-known figures, Brian McGuigan, as part of its Australia Day celebrations this year. Mr McGuigan has been named as the 2012 ambassador for Wellington which has thrilled local Australia Day committee chairman Kevin Mason, reports the Wellington Times. “Mr McGuigan has been at the forefront of the Australian wine industry for more than 35 years,” Mr Mason said.

Wellington is set to welcome one of the wine industry’s most well-known figures, Brian McGuigan, as part of its Australia Day celebrations this year. Mr McGuigan has been named as the 2012 ambassador for Wellington which has thrilled local Australia Day committee chairman Kevin Mason, reports the Wellington Times. “Mr McGuigan has been at the forefront of the Australian wine industry for more than 35 years,” Mr Mason said.