Pipers Brook moves to lift national profile

Pipers Brook, one of Tasmania’s pioneering wine brands, is aiming for greater recognition on the Australian mainland.

The 52-year-old family-owned producer has signed with Pure Wine Co as the exclusive national mainland distributor for Pipers Brook Vineyard, also including Kreglinger Sparkling, Pipers Tasmania and Ninth Island labels, effective March 2026.

The partnership brings together one of Australia’s premium wine distributors and an award-winning cool-climate Tasmanian producer.

“With a shared focus on quality, heritage, and innovation, the collaboration will strengthen access to these iconic Tasmanian wines across on-premise and retail channels throughout Australia, excluding distribution in Tasmania, which will continue to be managed by the Pipers Brook team directly,” the media release says.

Established in 1974, Pipers Brook Vineyard is situated in Tasmania’s north-east and is one of the island’s pioneering cool-climate sites.

Under the stewardship of the de Moor family of Launceston, Pipers Brook has access to grapes from sites in Pipers Brook and the West Tamar.

Paul de Moor, managing director of Pipers Brook Vineyard, said the partnership marks a strong step in expanding the national presence of the portfolio.

“Partnering with Pure Wine Co reflects our ambition to continue growing the presence of our iconic Tasmanian wines nationally,” he said.

“Pure’s values, people, and track record in the premium category make them an ideal partner to represent our brands. We see tremendous opportunity ahead to deepen engagement with trade and consumers who seek authenticity, provenance and quality.”

Asian airports start screening for new virus

Here we go again.

Airports across Asia are starting to screen passengers for yet another potentially fatal virus.

After Covid and Monkeypox meet Nipah virus.

Nipah virus is a bat-borne, zoonotic virus that causes Nipah virus infection in humans and other animals, a disease with a very high mortality rate.

Numerous disease outbreaks caused by Nipah virus have occurred in south-east Africa and south-east Asia.

Nipah virus belongs to the genus Henipavirus along with the Hendra virus, which has also caused disease outbreaks

Authorities in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia have stepped up airport screening in an effort to prevent the infection from spreading, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The virus, which is carried by fruit bats and ​animals such as pigs, can cause fever and brain inflammation and has a fatality rate of between 40% and 75%.

In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health acknowledged heightened concern over Nipah virus and said passenger checks will take place at Thailand airports.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn said Nipah is classified as a dangerous communicable disease.

Outbreaks have so far centred on Bangladesh and West Bengal in India.

“Although these areas are geographically distant from Thailand, close monitoring is necessary due to direct flights arriving at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket airports,” he said.

No confirmed infections have been detected yet.

Image: Edward Ortiz, Scop.io  

Spectacular luxury lodge to re-open after major investment

One of Australia's most spectacular rural luxury lodges is to re-open with new branding and a new attitude.

Emirates and Marriott International this week signed an agreement to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge - a 40-key all-inclusive lodge on a 7,000-acre conservancy in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage area.

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, will be the first Ritz-Carlton Lodge in the world. 

Ritz-Carlton Lodges are conceived as purpose-built sanctuaries in nature, designed to reflect their surrounds while prioritising minimal environmental impact and "delivering a heightened sense of luxury, comfort and craftmanship".

Since 2006, Emirates has invested $150 million in the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, including restoration of historically significant landmarks - including the original homestead dating back to 1832.

This has included planting of more than one million native trees across the site.

After closed since 2023 due to access issues, Emirates is now investing an additional $50 million in renovations.



The new iteration is scheduled to open in mid 2026.

Guests will access the resort by a four-wheel drive service via the Donkey Steps, which will become part of the rural off-road experience of the resort, or via helicopter.

“In our 30 years of operations in Australia, Emirates has consistently sought to deliver value to our customers, and to Australia," says Sir Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline.

"Our commitment extends well beyond the provision of air transport services. It is reflected in the strong, enduring relationships we have built with our industry partners, and in our active engagement with the broader Australian community through Emirates Wolgan Valley, and our extensive sponsorships in sports and the arts.

“We are proud of our long-term investment into the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort which launched one of Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resorts. Our unwavering commitment to the resort leads us to today’s announcement of an exciting agreement with Marriott International to open the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge.

“For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality."

Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific forMarriott International, said: "This milestone development sees the world’s largest hotelier and the world’s largest international airline come together to reinvigorate the luxury tourism offering in New South Wales."

Guests will enjoy exclusive access to pristine landscapes beneath some of the world’s clearest night skies, rare native flora such as the ancient Wollemi Pine, and an extraordinary array of wildlife including kangaroos, bare-nosed wombats, and brush-tailed rock wallabies.

Virgin Australia launches Canberra-Bali direct flights

Virgin Australia is to launch international flights from the capital, Canberra, to the Indonesian holiday island of Bali. 

Virgin will be the only Australian airline operating internationally out of Canberra, and the only carrier on this new route, it said in a media release.

"Virgin Australia will launch its first-ever international route out of Canberra, with direct flights to Bali commencing from June 22, 2026," the airline said. 

Flights are now on sale with return fares starting from $399 in economy lite.

The new route will see three return flights per week from April to January, with the potential to increase frequency during peak travel periods.

Services will depart Canberra in the afternoon and return overnight from Bali.

Virgin already operates direct services between Bali and Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Boeing 737-800 aircraft will service the route, with seating options including business, economy X and economy. 

Virgin Australia CEO Dave Emerson said the new service is a significant win for the Australian Capital Territory. 

“This is the first time in the history of the company that we will operate internationally from the capital, marking an important milestone in our broader network expansion story,” he said.

“Virgin Australia will be the only Australia-based airline operating internationally out of Canberra, and the only carrier on this new route.

China Syndrome continues to damage Australian wine industry

Tough times continue for the Australian wine industry with Australian wine exports declining by 8% in value and 6% in volume in 2025.

Value declined to $2.34 billion and volume to 613 million litres, stats in Wine Australia’s Export Report released today show.

The average value of exports also decreased by 3% per cent to $3.81 per litre Free on Board (FOB).

The reduction in overall exports was largely driven by declines in the value of exports to mainland China and the United States and in volume to the United Kingdom.

There were also markets recording value growth for Australian wine including Canada, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, which Wine Australia said indicated areas of opportunity for ongoing market diversification.

Wine Australia manager for mrket Insights Peter Bailey said the overall weakened export performance is consistent with the long-term trend of declining wine consumption in major markets around the world.

“Consumers are reducing overall alcohol consumption in line with wellness trends and in order to save money as the cost-of-living increases," Bailey said.

"For wine exporters around the world, trade barriers and regional conflicts are also making it more difficult and costly to get product into markets.”

Exports to mainland China had the biggest impact on the decline in value, as shipments to the market were down by 17% year-on-year to $755 million, following the initial restocking period after the removal of import tariffs on Australian wine

“While the re-opening of the mainland China market at the end of March 2024 provided some temporary relief in the decline in total exports, the Chinese wine market is one-third of the size it was five years ago - impacting both domestically produced and imported wines,” Bailey said.

“While shipment levels in the first three quarters after tariffs were removed were exceptionally positive, consumer demand has been subdued. Chinese consumer confidence has only made minor improvements since falling to an all-time low in 2022 during the Covid-19 pandemic[- which has negatively impacted consumer spending."

The top five markets by value were: mainland China, down 17% to $755 million, UK down 3% to $343 million, US down 12% to $287 million, Canada, up 12% to $175 million, and Singapore, up 18% to $118 million.

For more info see Wine Australia’s Export Report and Wine Australia’s Export Dashboard.

Fast-expanding brand has an ardour for hospitality

Get familiar with the Ardour hotel brand - it's a name that's getting plenty of traction. 

Salter Brothers Hospitality, the luxury retreat hotel operator, today announced that two more well-known destinations will join its Ardour Hotels & Estates collection in 2026. 

Spicers Guesthouse in the Hunter Valley (above) and Kingsford The Barossa in South Australia will both be re-branding under the Ardour banner. 

Spicers Guesthouse, known for its wine tourism and epicurean experiences will become Ardour Guesthouse Hunter Valley, while Kingsford The Barossa, an award-winning heritage estate, will become Ardour Kingsford Barossa.

Ardour Hotels & Estates debuts with two of Australia’s best-known rural heritage estates, Ardour Milton Park Bowral and Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains, with both revealing multi-million-dollar renovations. 

“Ardour is about elevating Australia’s most extraordinary places into destinations of global calibre,” says Tash Tobias, CEO of Salter Brothers Hospitality, 

“We’re not simply creating hotels, we’re shaping experiences that celebrate the beauty, culture and authenticity of each region.”

So the bar is being set high. 

Signature rituals will include Ardour Hour, a daily celebration of connection in spectacular surroundings, and curated wine experiences developed with leading regional producers. 

Ardour Milton Park Bowral will be open for stays from next month (opening Monday, February 2) with Ardour Lilianfels Blue Mountains and the two newly announced destinations following later in the year. 

At Ardour Milton Park Bowral, the hotel’s reopening introduces its signature dining destinations; Horderns and The Polo Bar, with The Polo Bar’s dedicated charcuterie room to open soon after.

The culinary offering at Ardour Milton Park Bowral is led by executive chef Mark Holland, whose pan-European approach underpins the dining experience at Horderns.

“We’ve created a menu for Ardour Milton Park Bowral that feels at home in the Southern Highlands," says Holland.

"It’s refined but relaxed, guided by flavour, season and a deep respect for the ingredients rather than passing trends.

"One dish I’m especially excited to cook for guests is our steamed rainbow trout with a classic beurre blanc. It’s simple, precise and lets the quality of the fish speak, which really sums up how we want to cook here."

To learn more see: https://www.worldsapart.club/ardour