Coonawarra vignerons hit the road again

One of Australia's most popular and longest-running wine events hits the road again. For the 23rd time.

The 2026 Coonawarra Wine Tasting Roadshow will bring the flavours and stories of Coonawarra to wine lovers across the country, from a spring Sydney Harbour wine cruise and an inner-city tasting with panoramic Melbourne skyline views, to a relaxed beachfront afternoon on the Sunshine Coast.

Backed by a close-knit community of passionate producers - from multi-generational family wineries to innovative new players - the Roadshow continues to champion the depth, diversity, and distinction of medium-bodied Coonawarra wines.

Emma Raidis from Raidis Estate (above) says the Roadshow is one of the highlights of the year for Coonawarra producers.

"We love the Coonawarra Roadshow because it's about so much more than pouring wine," she says.

"It's about meeting people face-to-face, sharing a laugh, telling our family's story and showing why we're so passionate about Coonawarra.

"Seeing the enthusiasm people have for our region reminds us why we do what we do, and we always leave with new friendships and great memories."

Tickets include event entry, souvenir Riedel wne glass, three hours of unlimited wine tastings, complimentary food offerings and the opportunity to meet the makers  

You'll find all the details here: https://coonawarra.org/coonawarra-wine-tasting-roadshow-2026/

Myriad new wellness options land at Chiva-Som

Chiva-Som Hua Hin, a pioneering health and wellness resort for over 31 years, has introduced a range of new treatments from sound therapy to a sport-focused massage for recovery and injury prevention. 

The treatments at the luxe Thai facility now number over 200 options. 

The Tuning Fork Sound Resonance Therapy sees precision-tuned frequencies used to support circulation and a sense of energetic balance through vibrational sound. 

Guests can book this for a 30% reduction on the standard rate, available from August 1 to December 31. 

The Onsen Hydro-Therapy Journey is a private thermal treatment alternating warm mineral immersion with cold contrast to ease muscle tension and stimulate circulation. Warm water and 180 massaging jets are followed by a cold water finish.

The Warm Sand Renewal Therapy is a multi-layered treatment opening with a magnesium oil massage using thumb, elbow, and forearm pressure, followed by a warm sand-and-herb compress. This is particularly suited to guests dealing with ongoing muscular tightness or recovering from physical activity.

The Chiva-Som Sport Massage, meanwhile,  is a structured, performance-focused treatment combining muscle assessment, deep tissue work and silicone cupping for fascial release. Ideal for guests wanting to train, recover or simply move better. Available until September 30. 

These treatments can be added on to the resort's 16 different wellness retreats, each built around a personalised consultation with a health and wellness advisor. 

Retreats span gut health and cell vitality to natural renewal and stress recovery, blending Western and Eastern practices across spa, fitness, physiotherapy, holistic health, nutrition, and aesthetics. 

Sounds just what I need. 

Wellness cuisine is also central to the experience, with produce grown in the resort's own certified organic gardens. 

Winemaker Blackburn lands at Latitude 32

Former Brand's Laira, Australian Vintage and Kirrihill winemaker Amy Blackburn has a new post in the Hunter Valley.

Blackburn has joined Latitude 32 Wines as chief winemaker.

"With more than 20 years of experience across some of Australia's leading wineries, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge, fresh ideas and a passion for crafting exceptional wines," the winery said in an email.

"As she joins us to lead our winemaking operations, we're excited for what this next chapter will bring while continuing to honour the Hunter Valley's rich winemaking heritage."

The former Mistletoe property is among Latitude 32's properties, owned by Emma and David White.

Their cellar door is open seven days a week and offers a range of tasting choices including the Sweet & Sparkling Experience, a guided tasting bringing together indulgent sweet treats and vibrant bubbles.

There is also a new dumplings menu with five different dumpling flavours paired with Latitude 32 wines. Think flavours like Alaskan crab, lemongrass beef, Asian vegetable, chicken and mushroom, and sweet apple and cinnamon. 

See https://latitude32wines.com/

 

Alva Hotel is where X used to mark the spot

Brisbane has a new hotel address with the opening this week of The Alva Hotel Brisbane, Vignette Collection. 

The property, formerly Hotel X, is a new addition to  IHG Hotels & Resorts' growing Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio.

In what is billed as "more than a rebrand", The Alva has been reimagined as a lifestyle hotel with a contemporary urban vibe. 

Each Vignette Collection property is individual in its identity, yet united by the vision to offer "a more authentic way to travel".

With a name meaning 'light', The Alva Hotel offers light-filled rooms designed as spaces to pause, work and recharge, allowing guests to move seamlessly from the business of the day to evenings immersed in Fortitude Valley's vibrant dining and social scene.

The transformation begins on arrival with a new lobby experience featuring the ‘Alva at Home’ lobby shop, spacious reception and distinct artworks, designed as a welcoming sanctuary. 

Rooms feature premium amenities and The Alva's personalised Sleep Edit, complete with a pillow menu and sleep sprays. 

Select room categories also feature private balconies (check before you book), alongside dog-friendly accommodation. 

Guests are also encouraged to discover Brisbane through bespoke city guides created by the hotel team and local personalities featuring curated picks of neighbourhood cafés, bars, galleries and boutiques. 

A star attraction is the 15-metre rooftop pool offering a calm urban oasis with panoramic city views,

while Bisou Bisou serves contemporary French cuisine in a bistro setting. 

"The Alva is much more than a new name," says GM Daniel Gerritse. "It's a new hotel experience inspired by the creativity, energy and character of Fortitude Valley.

"We've created a place where guests can experience Brisbane through thoughtful design, personalised service and experiences that celebrate the neighbourhood's music, art, dining and culture. We're equally committed to being part of the local community by championing the people and places that make this precinct so distinctive."

A First Light Special Offer includes: a complimentary room upgrade; guaranteed noon late checkout; complimentary valet parking for one vehicle; and a welcome amenity. There is a minimum two-night stay for this offer.

Coopers goes dark for its new Vintage Ale

Australia’s largest independent brewery, Coopers, has gone for innovation and given a nod to its craft beer heritage in the hop selection for its annual Vintage Ale.

Each year, the Coopers brewing team creates a unique, premium-quality craft-style beer with a distinctive blend of hops, a release which is awaited by beer lovers around the country.

The 2026 Vintage Ale features an experimental hop - HBC-1134 - delivering floral, citrus and herbal characters, alongside the US hop Krush, with distinct aromas of navel orange, supported by peach, berries, ripe mango, guava and lychee.

The result is promised to be "a smooth and creamy palate featuring fruit-forward flavours of mango, passionfruit and stone fruit which balances the woody notes and malty flavour for which Vintage Ale is renowned".

Coopers managing director Michael Shearer said 2026 Vintage Ale continues the Adelaide brewery's tradition of releasing a full-bodied, extra-strong seasonal ale that is perfectly suited to cold weather drinking.

“Vintage Ale has developed a legion of fans over the decades and we expect this year’s release to be well received by loyal Coopers drinkers,” he said.

“Full of rich and complex flavours, the 2026 brew is a special strong, dark ale which drinks exceptionally well and will pair excellently with hearty winter meals.

“While it’s ready to enjoy right away, Vintage Ale can also be cellared to allow its malty characters to develop and patience is certainly rewarded for those who are willing to wait.

“As with all vintages, Coopers 2026 Vintage Ale is a limited release and expected to be highly sought after, so we encourage fans to secure their carton early.”

This year’s release marks the 26th in Coopers Brewery’s Vintage Ale series since its inception in 1998.


With an ABV of 7.5%, Coopers 2026 Vintage Ale will be available in 50-litre kegs and 355ml bottles from August.




The launch will also be marked with a series of Vintage Ale events held across the country in August and September.

Shaw+Smith Australian benchmark delivers again

 

For almost four decades there is one Australian sauvignon blanc that has been the benchmark. 

When cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith launched their first Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc 37 years ago the grape variety was virtually unknown in Australia. 

A few wine lovers drank imported Sancerre, or knew the variety was a key component of Bordeaux white blends, but the Kiwi savalanche had yet to be fully unleashed and the cousins were largely taking a leap into the unknown, buying some fruit from neighbour Geoff Hardy to kick start their endeavour. 

The 2026 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc has just been released - and it remains hugely popular, a staple of wine lists at seafood and Chinese restaurants across the country. 

The strength of the brand is that the fruit is always from the Adelaide Hills - and that the style delivers exactly what consumers have come to expect. 

Shaw + Smith offers aromatics, vibrancy, fresh fruit character and dryness on the palate. There is no intrusive oak, no excessive lees stirring. Just what it drinkers have come to expect. 

I attended one of Shaw+Smith's annual yum cha lunch launches - at Kwan Ho in Hobart - and can confirm the new release is as good as ever. 

"It was a unique vintage with a bit of everything thrown in weather wise, but we are very happy with the end result," said Shaw. 

"We had a few sleepless nights but hand picking and table sorting helped with quality fruit and we ended up with a wine with great natural acidity and bright fruit."

After just a few weeks in bottle the wine is already fun and approachable, zingy with benchmark pink grapefruit and flinty mineral notes. It's a lovely drink and well priced at around $35 a bottle. 

Nowadays, of course, Shaw + Smith is one of the leading Adelaide Hills wine producers - with an impressive cellar door tasting facility.

They focus on varieties that suit the cooler Hills climate with a range that now includes riesling, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz.

Their peak releases are stellar single-vineyard wines. 

See https://www.shawandsmith.com/