This man has just been given one of the best jobs in the wine world

A winemaker called Émilien Boutillat has just been awarded one of the most coveted jobs in the world of wine.

Boutillat will join Champagne Bollinger later this year as Cellar Master, a role that will see him entrusted with preserving and deepening the expression of the style and identity of the esteemed Champagne House, while guiding it through a new chapter.

Born and raised in Champagne, where his family has been established for generations, Boutillat joins Bollinger after experience at Château Margaux in Bordeaux, and Domaine de la Solitude in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. 

He has also has had stints in New Zealand (Mud House), the US (Peter Michael Winery), Chile (Viu Manent) and South Africa (La Motte).

He was Cellar Master of the Cattier and Armand de Brignac Houses, before joining Piper-Heidsieck in 2018, where he has served as Cellar Master until now.

“We are delighted to welcome Émilien to Champagne Bollinger," says Charles Armand de Belenet, managing director of Champagne Bollinger.

"His career, his exacting standards and his vision of winemaking will be invaluable assets in preserving and advancing the style of the House, while supporting its evolution in the next chapters of its history.

"On the eve of its Bicentenary, this appointment is fully aligned with the House’s ambition to prepare for the future while remaining faithful to the values, savoir faire and commitments that define its singularity.”

Boutillat describes joining Bollinger as a great honour.

"Its history, craftsmanship and commitments are unique strengths that will continue to shape its future," he says. "I look forward to being part of this collective endeavour, working alongside the teams to balance respect for tradition with openness to innovation."

Boutillat succeeds Denis Bunner, who was appointed chief winemaker in 2023.

* Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Champagne region, Champagne Bollinger is a family-owned, independent producer.

The Icelandic connection to small-batch Tasmanian wines

Artisan Tasmanian winemakers Paul and Gilli Lipscombe no doubt expected some quizzical looks when they named their Sailor Seeks Horse "reserve" wines Huldufólk.

Huldufólk is Icelandic for "hidden people" and these creatures are supernatural elves in Icelandic and Faroese folklore, who look and live like humans but exist in a parallel, unseen dimension.

Residing inside rocks, hills, and cliffs, they are deeply respected, with many locals historically avoiding moving rocks or building on specific lands to protect their homes.

Huldufólk are traditionally believed to be indistinguishable from humans.

 

The name comes from Paul's family connections with Iceland.

His father Hugh owns fish and chip businesses in the UK, and in 1981 he jumped on a plane to Iceland on a mission to source the best quality cod and haddock.

It was then, 45 years ago, that the Lipscombe family developed a relationship with fishermen in Isafjordur that still stands.

Today, the Lipscombe family still sources fish from the trawler Julius Germundsson.

Back in the Huon Valley, in the far south of Tasmania, Sailor Seeks Horse's current Huldufólk releases are the 2024 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The chardonnay is a stunner: fiercely linear, pure and precise. It is simultaneously chalky, citrusy, crunchy and cohesive with lemon meringue pie notes. Sadly only 800 bottles were made. 

The cellar worthy pinot noir is similarly scarce, made from a single barrel of 115 clone pinot with an impressive melange of fruit and savoury notes. Each costs $120 and you may already be too late. 

See https://www.sailorseekshorse.com.au/ 

Authentic gourmet experiences on the Amalfi Coast

There is increasing demand from travellers for authentic gourmet experiences. 

Casa Angelina on Italy's dramatic Amalfi Coast has launched a collection of activities featuring local Italian traditions. 

Located high above the the ancient fishing village of Praiano, Casa Angelina is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. 

The exclusive 36-room retreat aims to offer the "pleasures of southern Italy are reimagined through a lens of quiet luxury". It is represented in Australia by the Unique Tourism Collection. https://uniquetourism.com/  

Among the immersive experiences for the 2026 summer season are Ancient Lantern Fishing and Nonna's Secret. 

Lantern Fishing offers guests the a night-time excursion inspired by the traditional lampare fishing technique. Accompanied by a local fisherman, guests catch their own fish. Executive chef Leopoldo Elefante later guides them in preparing their catch using seasonal local ingredients and simple techniques (below). 

In southern Italy, the annual preparation of tomato preserves is a tradition with most families. 

Nonna's Secret invites guests to take part and discover one of Campania's most cherished customs (top image). 

The experience begins with a leisurely walk through Casa Angelina's organic garden alongside chef Elefante, gathering sun-ripened tomatoes and fragrant basil. Back in the kitchen, guests are guided through the traditional preparation of homemade passata - with each guest taking home a jar of hand-crafted tomato preserve. 

Other experiences include lacemaking. basket weaving and painting. 

For more details see www.casangelina.com

Discover a different way to buy your wine

Just about every wine store in the world offers a similar format: a section for chardonnay, another section for shiraz, a different section for imports. 

New Melbourne store Drop Shop, which opens its doors today, is doing things differently. 

Drop Shop is challenging decades of liquor retail convention with a simple idea: most people don’t buy wines by grape variety or region - they buy by occasion and budget.

Founded by Pinot Palooza creator and Wine Victoria chair Dan Sims, drinks retail specialist Courtney Keegan and Common State founder Luke McKinnon, the new concept aims to replace overwhelming choice with a tightly curated range organised into three intuitive categories:

Choose from: 

* Weekday from $15 to $25
* Party from $25 to $40
* Fancy from $40+

“We want to create a new category,” says McKinnon, ex Dan Murphy's and Blackheart and Sparrows. 

"We've gone for an occasion-based liquor format that strips out the clutter and speaks directly to the individual who’s tired of choosing between a warehouse and a wine lecture.

”With this guiding logic, the offer is deliberately simple. Wines are presented in three distinct categories with Victorian and rising producers front and centre."

The same equation applies across wine, beer, RTDs, spirits, as well as non-alcoholic options. 

The 60sqm store is designed by We Are Humble and inspired by Japanese konbini culture. 

Drop Shop is described as a convenience store for drinks that’s designed like Aesop, run like 7-Eleven, and organised to take the guesswork out of buying booze. 

“Most retailers would probably describe themselves as highly curated,” Sims says. "But the average bottle shop stocks more than 1000 wines. At Drop Shop, we literally only have room for 150, so everything has to really earn its spot on the shelf. Think of each category as its own shortlist. The idea isn’t to limit choice - it’s to make choosing easier."

Drop Shop is at 70 Lygon Street (corner of St Phillip Street), Brunswick East, 3057. Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11am-9pm, Friday and Saturday: 11am-10pm, Sunday: 11am-8pm.

See www.dropshopdrinks.com

Qantas and Jetstar confirm flights from new Western Sydney Airport

Qantas and Jetstar will use the new Western Sydney International Airport to link to some of Australia's most popular domestic destinations.

Jetstar will launch the first commercial passenger service when Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) opens on Sunday, October 25.

The Qantas Group and WSI today announced they had finalised a five-year agreement for domestic passenger flights and freight that will enable both airlines to build their schedule as demand for services grows in Western Sydney.

Jetstar will make history when JQ362 departs at 11am on October 25 to the Gold Coast. The airline will operate up to 14 flights a week between WSI and Melbourne, four weekly flights to the Gold Coast and three weekly flights to Brisbane. All flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft.

Qantas operations will begin on March 28, 2027, with four flights per week to both Melbourne and Brisbane on a QantasLink Embraer E190.

Qantas will also be one of the first commercial airlines to fly from the airport when its inaugural freighter service takes off from WSI’s 24-hour Cargo Precinct on the evening of Monday, July 27.

All flights will be in addition to current services from Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith).

“This is a major milestone for Australian aviation and one that has been years in the making," says Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson.

"We’re incredibly proud that Jetstar will be the first Australian airline to begin operations at Western Sydney International Airport and Qantas will follow early next year.

“We’re excited by the potential of Western Sydney International Airport to spur local tourism and make aviation more accessible for millions of people in Western Sydney, who currently have to travel to Kingsford Smith to catch a flight.

“Jetstar has an incredible history of growing new markets and being the first airline to launch will give one of the country’s fastest growing regions better access to low fares to some of our most popular destinations.

“We know there’s growing demand for customers in Western Sydney and we’re proud to be working with Gold Coast Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland to make our services to South-East Queensland a reality."

Party time at Hobart's urban winery

Hobart comes alive during the nights of the Dark Mofo festival.

But what if you are looking for something vinous to do during the day?

If trekking out to one of the vineyard regions is too hard, what about a visit to the Glaetzer-Dixon urban winery and cellar door?

If you'd like a full tasting you can book in here, but this year Nick and Sally Glaetzer will also be hosting a pop-up bar in the winery at 93 Brooker Ave, Hobart, serving up wines by the glass accompanied by live music.

"This is a fun opportunity to come and see a working winery while there’s some interesting fermentation business happening in the cellar," says Nick Glaetzer.

The Glaetzer-Dixon pop-up will be open 3pm-5pm on Friday, June 12, Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20.

And If you’re heading to the Winter Feast, Nick will be behind the bar a few nights serving the Uberblanc Riesling by the glass.