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.

Arriving at Maygar’s Hill Winery and Vineyard in Longwood East, owner/operator and viticulturist Jenny Houghton is nowhere to be seen. After popping into the gorgeous brick cellar door, nestled among 2.43ha of cabernet and shiraz vines, there is still no sign of Ms Houghton. However, wandering up the gravel path toward the winery’s cottage that overlooks the property, Ms Houghton can be seen working vigorously in the garden, tearing out weeds and turning on sprinklers. A formidable woman, Ms Houghton works harder than most to run the boutique winery and bed and breakfast, even pruning her vines each season all on her own.

Arriving at Maygar’s Hill Winery and Vineyard in Longwood East, owner/operator and viticulturist Jenny Houghton is nowhere to be seen. After popping into the gorgeous brick cellar door, nestled among 2.43ha of cabernet and shiraz vines, there is still no sign of Ms Houghton. However, wandering up the gravel path toward the winery’s cottage that overlooks the property, Ms Houghton can be seen working vigorously in the garden, tearing out weeds and turning on sprinklers. A formidable woman, Ms Houghton works harder than most to run the boutique winery and bed and breakfast, even pruning her vines each season all on her own.

The appointment follows a competitive review with creative and strategic work covering a range of brands including JACOB’S CREEK. Digital work is also a key element of the remit covering JACOB’S CREEK and a number of other global wine brands. “We are pleased to appoint the team at AnalogFolk as global brand building partner for JACOB’S CREEK. Matt leads a strong team, and as much as we value their creative, strategic and digital capabilities, we also believe in the importance of a strong cultural fit with the Pernod Ricard business and our marketing team,” said Derek Oliver, Global Marketing Director, JACOB’S CREEK.

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 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.