Penfolds is paying tribute to their most influential wine maker, Max Schubert, with a new collection of wines that are aimed at millennials who want good and affordable wine that they can drink straight away. “The wines have between 5 percent and 10 percent oak with really low tannings; they feature fresher fruity flavors,” said Southeast Asian Penfolds ambassador Patrick Dowling during the luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta recently. The luncheon revolved around the innovations by its former chief winemaker Schubert who was the creator of the iconic Australian red, Grange. The low tannins and oak contrast with Penfold’s usual deep red wines.

Leading global luxury wine and spirit business Moët Hennessy Australia has picked Havas creative group as its digital and social agency of record following a competitive pitch that took place at the end of 2016. The win comes off the back of the successful work Havas owned PR, experiential and social agency, Red Agency, has been doing over the past year for Moët Hennessy. Havas and Red Agency will work together to deliver on a number of the brand briefs.

Wine & lifestyle company Sip NZ is collaborating with New Zealand wine producers again this February to create another successful Dare to Pink #sipnzrose campaign. “The aim of the initiative is to celebrate the pink lifestyle and the great diversity when it comes to New Zealand Rosé wines. That’s why we’re launching New Zealand’s first Rosé directory on sipnzrose.com to help wine lovers find their perfect pink drink and introduce them to producers around the country,” says Caro, co-founder of Sip NZ. With over 60 pink wines on board, the collaborative campaign has more than doubled in size from last year.

At least 10 people are dead and more than 100 vineyards are scorched as firefighters struggle to bring dozens of blazes under control. Wildfires have ravaged Chile’s Central Valley for close to two weeks now, and at least 100 vineyards in the Maule and Colchagua regions have been damaged or destroyed in the blazes. President Michelle Bachelet declared a state of emergency Jan. 20, calling the fires some of the worst in the nation’s history. As of yesterday afternoon, 53 blazes were still being fought nationwide, with 48 under control and two extinguished, according to CONAF, Chile’s National Forest Corporation. Its staff estimates that over 676,000 acres of land have been impacted so far.

The vinous international spotlight will be on New Zealand’s capital this week with the Pinot Noir NZ 2017 celebration, described as the best Pinot Noir event on the planet. 600 of the most influential wine writers, industry experts and imbibers from twenty countries will congregate on the Wellington waterfront on Tuesday for three days packed full of inspirational speakers, tastings and an overall submergence in New Zealand’s most compelling red grape variety – Pinot Noir. Actor and winery owner Sam Neill will be there; “It’s wonderful to be back in Wellington for Pinot Noir NZ 2017 – a must for New Zealand’s wine industry and anyone involved in producing, selling or writing about Pinot Noir.”

The United States is shaping up as an increasingly attractive market for wine exporters, barring any major adverse trading changes under President Donald Trump’s Administration. Rabobank’s latest wine quarterly report showed US wine imports continued to grow in 2016, rising 2% by value and 3% by volume. Italy remained the largest source of imports but growth was being driven by sparkling wines which were up 20% for the first eight months of the year compared to the previous corresponding period.

The United States is shaping up as an increasingly attractive market for wine exporters, barring any major adverse trading changes under President Donald Trump’s Administration. Rabobank’s latest wine quarterly report showed US wine imports continued to grow in 2016, rising 2% by value and 3% by volume. Italy remained the largest source of imports but growth was being driven by sparkling wines which were up 20% for the first eight months of the year compared to the previous corresponding period.

Casella Family Brands is delighted to announce the appointment of Nigel Westblade as Chief Winemaker for Peter Lehmann Wines. Commencing in mid February 2017, Nigel will assume responsibility for all aspects of wine production across the Peter Lehmann portfolio, whilst being ably assisted by the Winemaking and Viticulture teams. Since graduating from the University of Adelaide with a Graduate Diploma in Oenology, Nigel has garnered exceptional winemaking experience. His career began working for Cape Jaffa Wines in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia.

Casella Family Brands is delighted to announce the appointment of Nigel Westblade as Chief Winemaker for Peter Lehmann Wines. Commencing in mid February 2017, Nigel will assume responsibility for all aspects of wine production across the Peter Lehmann portfolio, whilst being ably assisted by the Winemaking and Viticulture teams. Since graduating from the University of Adelaide with a Graduate Diploma in Oenology, Nigel has garnered exceptional winemaking experience. His career began working for Cape Jaffa Wines in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia.

Ten Adelaide Hills’ wineries will receive up to $25,000 each as part of the State Government’s new $1 million Cellar Door Grants Program. The Cellar Door Grants Program assists wineries to upgrade and diversify their cellar doors. This could include adding an exclusive tasting room, bed and breakfast facility or educational program. As a further boost in funding to the region, the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Association will receive $16,000 in funding under the Regional Wine Industry Association Grants Program.