Woodstock finds its sweet spot

Family wine businesses need to evolve to thrive. 

For more than 50 years Woodstock Wine Estate has been part of the fabric of McLaren Vale, evolving from a family vineyard into one of the region’s best-known wine and hospitality destinations.

The Blewitt Springs winery is entering a new chapter, with third-generation winemaker Peter Collett helping lead an evolution of the family business.

Woodstock’s story began in 1973, when Douglas Collett AM purchased the property following a career in the wine industry and earlier service as a World War II fighter pilot. His vision for premium South Australian table wine laid the foundations for the modern Woodstock business.

That vision was expanded by Doug’s son Scott Collett, who took over management in 1982 and helped establish Woodstock as a respected McLaren Vale wine brand and tourism destination.

Now Scott’s son Peter is carrying the family legacy forward after stepping into the winemaking role in 2022. 

“Dad is still here all the time tending to the gardens, lawns and orchard,” Peter told the South Australian Wine Industry Association newsletter. “It’s still very much a family business, but we’re also evolving and looking at where we want to take Woodstock into the future.”

  
The transition to the next generation has coincided with a period of significant change for the business. 

In 2024, Woodstock closed its long-running Coterie restaurant and undertook major renovations to transform the space into a larger cellar door focused more directly on wine experiences. 

The new cellar door officially opened in November 2024 and now welcomes visitors seven days a week.

The estate has also introduced a more relaxed visitor offering through a partnership with Gin Long Canteen that features casual lawn dining, weekend live music and a strong family-friendly focus.

A wildlife sanctuary featuring rescue kangaroos, emus and native wildlife has become another point of difference for the property, alongside a playground and expansive lawns designed to encourage families to spend time at the venue.

“Not a lot of wineries in the area are so family friendly,” Peter said. “We’ve got the playground, the wildlife sanctuary and lots of open space, so parents can relax with a glass of wine while the kids can safely run around and enjoy themselves.”

The business has also diversified its on-site experiences, with brother Max Collett recently launching Trilby’s Chocolates at the Woodstock property.

In the winery, Peter is steering Woodstock toward a fresher, more contemporary wine style aligned with changing consumer preferences.

The 100% estate-grown portfolio has been refined, and Mediterranean varieties such as montepulciano and fiano are playing an increasingly important role.

“There’s definitely been a shift toward younger, fresher and lighter wines that are easier drinking,” Peter Collett said.

"The key is to capture these aspects in certain wines while not compromising the bold, rich style that our customers have grown to love. It is a subtle evolution."

The estate now comprises 100 acres of vineyards planted with seven grape varieties, with an ongoing focus on estate-grown wines and regional character.

Beyond the Beach: Discovering Koh Chang from The Retreat

Some destinations reveal themselves slowly. Koh Chang is one of them, roving correspondent Roderick Eime reports.

At first glance, Thailand's second-largest island seems to offer exactly what visitors expect: palm-fringed beaches, warm seas and spectacular sunsets. 

Spend a little longer here, however, and a different side emerges. Dense rainforest blankets the mountains, mangrove forests line sheltered waterways and small fishing communities continue traditions that predate tourism by generations.

The Retreat Koh Chang proved an ideal base from which to discover both sides of the island.

Arriving at the family-owned resort, the first impression is one of space and tranquillity. 

Water features, tropical gardens and low-rise buildings constructed from natural materials create a sense of harmony with the surrounding landscape. Rather than dominating its environment, the resort seems to blend seamlessly into it.

The guest experience reflects this philosophy. Service is polished without being intrusive, with staff displaying the genuine warmth for which Thai hospitality is famous. Conversations happen naturally, recommendations feel personal, and there is an easy rhythm to daily life around the property.

While the pools and waterfront setting make relaxation tempting, Koh Chang rewards exploration.

One morning begins with a journey through a network of mangrove waterways aboard a traditional wooden boat. Gliding silently beneath overhanging branches, the island feels worlds away from Thailand's busier tourist centres. 

Birdlife darts among the roots while local fishermen tend their boats along the banks. It's a reminder that nature remains central to life here.

Back on land, the island's rainforest reveals another dimension. Koh Chang is home to one of Thailand's richest botanical environments, with more than a thousand recorded plant species thriving in the island's exceptionally wet climate. Waterfalls tumble from forested hillsides and hiking trails offer opportunities to experience an ecosystem that has remained remarkably intact.

The resort encourages guests to engage with these natural assets through curated excursions, wellness experiences and cultural encounters. Island-hopping adventures, paddle boarding, kayaking and cooking experiences provide alternatives to the traditional fly-and-flop beach holiday.

Dining also reflects a strong sense of place. Fresh seafood sourced from nearby communities features prominently, while locally inspired flavours sit comfortably alongside contemporary presentation. Sunset dinners beside the water quickly become a highlight.

What makes The Retreat Koh Chang memorable is not simply the quality of the accommodation or the beauty of its setting. Rather, it is the way the property connects guests with the island itself.

In an era when many tropical resorts could be located just about anywhere, The Retreat succeeds because it feels unmistakably part of Koh Chang. 

And Koh Chang, in turn, remains one of Thailand's most rewarding islands for travellers willing to venture beyond the beach.

More info https://theretreatkohchang.com/

Room rates begin at around $300 a night including breakfast. 

Discover Healesville's big winter wine night

One of the Yarra Valley’s favourite winter wine events is set to get bigger - for one night only. 

On Saturday, June 27, Healesville venues will host close to 30 wineries from across the Yarra Valley for the Fireside Wine Trail. 

The celebration is billed as chance to discover the full breadth of the region without leaving town.

Across six venues in the heart of Healesville, guests can discover sub-regions, meet the winemakers, taste and purchase wines, all while fire-themed food, live music and DJs set the mood.

Participating venues include Barrique, Healesville Hotel, Four Pillars Distillery, Payten & Jones, Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar and Giammarino Wines. 

Each will host a selection of Yarra Valley producers. 

Highlights include:

● Barrique showcasing Nillumbik wineries Buttermans Track, Nillumbik Estate, Kings of Kangaroo Ground, Wedgetail Estate and Imbue Distillery

● Healesville Hotel hosting St Huberts, Giant Steps, Soumah, Coldstream Hills, De Bortoli, In Dreams, Cellar Door at the Farm, and Copperhead Wines

● Four Pillars Distillery pouring e'Stellar Estate, Punt Road Wines, Sutherland Estate and Boat O'Craigo

● Payten and Jones hosting Pachamama, Alkimi Wines, Decent Wines

● Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar showcasing TarraWarra Estate, Tillie J Wines and Hirsch Hill Wines

● Giammarino Wines featuring Santolin Wines, Denton View Hill and Innocent Bystander’s Airstream caravan.

Each ticket includes a souvenir wine glass, unlimited tastings across all venues, and the hop-on hop-off shuttle bus connecting all Healesville stops.

General admission tickets are $38.50, with early bird deals available now via Humanitix https://events.humanitix.com/fireside-wine-trail

The Wine Trail is the headline act of a 15-day regional program across the full Fireside Festival. . Participating cellar doors and dining venues will run Fireside-themed experiences throughout the festival period.

Tickets and the full program: wineyarravalley.com.au/fireside-festival-2026

Philippines pushes for more Muslim tourism

The Philippines is launching a major push to strengthen its position as a Muslim-friendly travel destination.

Local tourism authorities are keen to welcome travellers from the Middle East and the wider Muslim world through a growing ecosystem of halal- and Muslim-friendly tourism experiences.

This followers the Asian nation's strong tourism and cultural ties with neighbouring Muslim-majority countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia under the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Beyond tourism infrastructure, the Philippines is also investing in workforce development, destination preparedness, and cultural awareness initiatives to strengthen the delivery of halal and Muslim-friendly tourism services nationwide.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said in a media release that it continues to support this growth through the implementation of its Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE) Recognition Program across hotels and tourism establishments, while also encouraging halal certification among restaurants, accommodations, and tourism service providers throughout the country.

The DOT has officially recognized 67 Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs) across the country.

Leading the effort is Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the first hotel chain in the Philippines to achieve 100% MFAE recognition across all of its properties.

For more info see tourism.gov.ph

Image: Metro Manila

TV personality Preston to return to the hills

Television star and food personality Matt Preston will return to the Adelaide Hills Wine Region as official ambassador for the 2026 Winter Reds after making his debut last year.

Preston will be joined at select food events by chef, TV personality, and friend Warren Mendes for what is billed as "an unforgettable weekend of food, wine, and camaraderie".

The annual red wine festival is held in the Adelaide Hills annually in late July. It is in its 16th year and will run from Friday, July 24, to Sunday, July 26.

“Winter Reds is one of the best food and wine events in the country," Preston enthused.

"I had so much fun at Winter Reds last year -fantastic wines, brilliant people, and that unmistakable Hills charm - that I wanted to come back. I can’t wait to eat, drink, and celebrate everything that makes the Adelaide Hills region so special.”

Preston's Winter Reds weekend will kick off at Vinteloper on the Friday night. Guests will experience benchmark Adelaide Hill reds wines, food bites, and the vibe of an intimate house-gathering against the backdrop of a brisk winter night. This limited-ticket event will see guests mingle with him and Adelaide Hills producers.

On the Sunday the headline event will be an exclusive Winter Reds long lunch named Preston’s Plates at Golding Wines. Over 150 guests will enjoy the day.

Adelaide Hills Wine Region president Alex Trescowthick said Winter Reds has become a cornerstone event that continues to champion the strength and diversity of the region’s red wines which go well beyond pinot nNoir, for which it is best known.

"Winter Reds is a much-loved annual celebration of Adelaide Hills’ red wines and the vibrant community behind them," he says.

"Cool-climate pinot noir is still the hero, but there’s also shiraz, gamay, nebbiolo, and more. We invite wine lovers to experience our exceptional cool climate wines and the Hills region at its most atmospheric – when we embrace the chilly weather that signifies our cool climate with warm jackets and cosy open fires.”

Across the weekend, 34 cellar doors will deliver a mix of over 40 events.

See https://www.adelaidehillswine.com.au/events/winter-reds

Image: Matt Preston, Eat Media

A bridge to some calm in frenetic Bangkok

Bangkok is not all high rises, canals and traffic chaos. Local resident David Armstrong reveals a local secret, an oasis for walkers and cyclists. 

Bangkok has a long stretch of main road (Ploenchit and Sukhumvit roads) overloaded with high end hotels, shopping malls and luxury apartment blocks.

But running parallel, a little to the south, is the city’s Green Mile – a skybridge connecting central Bangkok’s two big parks, Lumphini Park and Benjakitti Park (with its forest park wetlands extension).

The bridge caters for cyclists, joggers and plain-old walkers.

From the Lumphini Park side, it cuts through the city, crossing a main road and an expressway.

Once it reaches Benjakitti, it divides; one arm allows cycling and the other, branded as the Skywalk, is for joggers and walkers.

The cycle path skirts a khlong (canal) on the border of the park; the Skywalk goes through the wild wetlands before reaching the more-ordered woodlands of Benjakitti Park. 

* David Armstrong is a distinguished journalist and editor, who has been in the media industry since 1969. He currently writes for the Pearls & Irritations public policy journal.

Paris express train finally on track

Paris is finally to get an express rail link between the city and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. 

The long-awaited CDG Express rail service connecting central Paris to the airport is scheduled to open on March 28, 2027, offering a 20-minute non-stop journey between Paris Gare de l’Est and Terminal 2, news hub Travel Mole reports.

To be operated by Hello Paris - a joint venture between Keolis and RATP Dev - the service aims to deliver a fast, premium alternative to existing airport transfers.

The current rail links are often slow and crowded, while taxi rides can be slowed by traffic jams. 

During a press presentation at the SNCF maintenance facility in the Paris suburb of Bobigny, Hello Paris confirmed key pricing details. 

A one-way ticket will cost €25, while a round-trip fare is set at €28. 

Holders of the Île-de-France Navigo pass will benefit from a reduced fare of €16.50 per trip. Children under 16 accompanied by an adult will travel free of charge. 

Subscription packages for airport employees are also planned, though pricing has not yet been finalised. 

Tickets will be available via vending machines, online platforms, and a dedicated mobile app.

The new transport will be extremely competitive compared to taxis. 

The typical cost for a taxi ride between central Paris and CDG is around €56–€65 on average. 

CDG Express is expected to appeal to solo travellers and business passengers prioritizing speed and reliability.

The CDG Express will indeed operate every 15 minutes from 5am-midnight. 

Each train will accommodate up to 420 passengers, with flexible carriage configurations adjusted throughout the day according to demand. 

A premium “lounge” area at the front of the train, featuring 12 seats, will offer an upgraded travel experience.

Beyond passenger convenience, CDG Express is expected to ease congestion on the heavily used regional train RER B, which has long suffered from overcrowding, delays, and aging infrastructure.

Wynnsday returns with an impressive collection

It is hard to think of a wine producer that can match Wynns Coonawarra Estate for quality and value across the board.

Winemakers Sue Hodder and Sarah Pidgeon consistently over deliver on both counts - and the new releases for Wynnsday on June 3 do not disappoint.

The new releases are composed, complete and effortlessly stylish.

Wynnsday has been - for several decades - the day Wynns Coonawarra Estate releases its new vintage luxury wines.

I remember attending one at the winery when Peter Douglas was the chief winemaker - so the late 80s or early 90s.

The 2026 Wynnsday Collection features eight wines across three vintages from a range of vineyards.

This year’s release is headlined by the return of the very elegant V&A Lane Shiraz and Cabernet Shiraz blend, along with the debut Cabernet Shiraz, to the stellar Wynns Black Label range.

Wynns senior winemaker Sue Hodder (above) says the three very different vintages in the 2026 Wynnsday Collection - 2023, 2024, and 2025 - are testament to the quality and versatility of Wynns terra rossa vineyards and their ability to produce superb medium-bodied, cool-climate wines year on year.

“From the cooler, wet 2023 vintage we welcome the O’Dea's Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, representing the next gen of Wynns Cabernet vineyards," says Hodder. who has been in charge since 1998.

"Each year our winemaking team selects a premium parcel from a single cabernet vineyard to bottle separately, and that year O’Dea's excelled. This vineyard was originally planted in 1989 and later replanted to a selection of Wynns heritage cuttings and some new and interesting clones. We have been delighted to see these younger vines flourish in wet conditions and to bring this elegant wine to Wynnsday."

The 2024 reds are outstanding.

“2024 was a classic Coonawarra vintage, from which we crafted five stellar reds," says Hodder. "We are thrilled to see our V&A Lane Shiraz and Cabernet Shiraz wines return in superb form.

"Crafted by Sarah Pidgeon, they continue to set the benchmark for fresh, spicy, and naturally moderate alcohol red wine, sitting at only 12.6% each."

It's hard to pick a favourite, but I can't think of a better $45 bottle right now than Wynns 2024 The Original Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.

Coonawarra is synonymous with high-quality cabernets and this one hits the bullseye for composed quality. It has lovely structure, elegant tannins, balanced oak, and impressive length. It is immediately accessible and deadly drinkable.

Youthful inclusions are the 2025 Black Label Messenger Chardonnay and the Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc - both are delicious despite their relative adolescence.

The 2026 Wynnsday Collection comprises: Wynns O’Deas Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, RRP $80, Wynns MacKillop Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2025, RRP $80, Wynns V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz 2024, RRP $60, Wynns V&A Lane Shiraz 2024, RRP $60, Wynns Black Label The Original Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, RRP $45, Wynns Black Label Old Vines Shiraz 2024, RRP $45
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Shiraz 2024, RRP $45 and Wynns Black Label Messenger Chardonnay 2025, RRP $45

All the wines are released on Wednesday. See www.wynns.com.au and fine wine retailers across Australia.

Small wine innovation proving a big success

Recent wine innovation Poco Vino is proving a success for wine producer Australian Vintage. 

The 175ml bottles have been in market for eight months and are now available in more than 8,000 stores in nine countries, selling the equivalent of 12,000 bottles a day, the company said in a statement. 

The current Poco Vino range of six still wines will more than double in financial year 2027 with the launch of a full sparkling portfolio. Mmoscato, prosecco and a range of flavoured spritzes will add another eight SKU’s to the core portfolio. 

There are also plans for the launch of a premium Poco Vino range to be called ‘Atlas Series’ in travel retail stores around the world. This aims to take the brand into premium wine segment at $25 recommended retail price. 

The company says: "These additions and new market launches will ensure the continued momentum and success of Poco Vino as the sales will exceed $20 million in annualised run rate into FY27."

Poco Vino "offers premium quality, varietally correct wine in a sleek, single-serve bottle made for modern life".

See https://avlwines.com.au/

Meet New Zealand's new gourmet alpine adventure

Flush with cash? How about "an extraordinary new luxury culinary experience set deep within New Zealand's Southern Alps"?

Roki Collection Queenstown has just launched Rees Valley by Roki, which it says offers guests an immersive alpine dining journey accessible only by private helicopter.

Located in the remote Rees Valley near Mount Aspiring National Park, Rees Valley by Roki is a secluded forest sanctuary where "wilderness, refined design and world-class cuisine converge", the media release says.

The experience invites guests to disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with nature through exceptional food, warm hospitality and dramatic landscapes.

“Rees Valley by Roki is about creating a sense of stillness and awe in one of New Zealand's most extraordinary natural environments,” said Stephen McAteer, general manager of Roki Collection Queenstown.

“This is not simply lunch in the mountains. It is a deeply immersive experience where guests arrive by helicopter into an undisclosed alpine location and are completely transported by the landscape, cuisine and atmosphere.”

The experience begins with transfers from Queenstown, followed by a scenic helicopter flight into the Rees Valley.

Guests are welcomed with Champagne (pity, as New Zealand has some outstanding sparkling wines) on arrival before settling into a forest sanctuary with crackling fireplaces, sophisticated interiors by New Zealand designer Virginia Fisher, and panoramic alpine surroundings.

At the heart of the experience is a gourmet New Zealand forest lunch created by culinary director Paul Froggatt (above) and his team.

Froggatt, known for his produce-driven approach to refined modern cuisine, crafts menus inspired by New Zealand's seasons, landscapes and local ingredients.

It is billed as an all-weather experience - but I wouldn't get in a helicopter during a snow storm.


Check out https://roki-collection.com/dine/rees-valley-by-roki/

Franchising pays dividends for global hotel giant Accor

Hotel giant Accor has surpassed 150 franchise hotels across Australia and New Zealand, underlining its position as the largest and fastest-growing hotel franchise network in the Pacific region.

The milestone coincided with the annual Accor Pacific Franchise Conference taking place in Sydney, bringing together more than 270 franchise partners, hotel owners, industry leaders and Accor executives.

Over the past decade, Accor's Pacific franchise network has experienced significant expansion, particularly across regional and suburban markets, supported by growing owner appetite for globally recognised brands, strong distribution capability, loyalty-driven demand and operational efficiencies delivered through scale, the hotel group said in a media release.

Chief Franchise Officer for Premium, Midscale, and Economy, Leire Leoz, said the Pacific region has emerged as a strong growth market for franchising.

“Franchising is playing an increasingly important role in Accor's global growth strategy, and the Pacific region is a strong example of that momentum in action," she said.

"We continue to see strong interest from hotel owners seeking flexible operating models that allow them to retain the individuality of their assets while benefiting from the strength, scale and support of a global hospitality leader.”

Accor's franchise-forward strategy is a key driver of the group's long-term asset-light growth model, supporting expansion and strengthening owner partnerships across the Pacific.

Accor Chief Operating Officer in the Pacific region, Adrian Williams, said strong owner partnerships continue to underpin the growth of the franchise network.

“Our franchise network today represents a highly collaborative, performance-driven ecosystem built around owner success," he said.

"We continue to see strong demand from hotel owners who want access to Accor's powerful loyalty, sales and distribution platforms, while retaining the flexibility to run their hotels in a way that reflects their local character and identity. Importantly, many of our existing franchise partners continue to grow with us, with around half now owning multiple hotels within the network.

“At the same time, managed hotels remain strategically important to our long-term growth strategy across the Pacific. Our focus is on providing owners with the solutions that best suit their asset, market and long-term objectives.”

The Group will soon introduce its greet brand to the Pacific for the first time - another hotel brand in an already busy portfolio.

Accor currently operates more than 420 hotels across the Pacific region under brands including Sofitel, MGallery, Pullman, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, Peppers, The Sebel, Mantra, Novotel, Mercure, TRIBE, and ibis.

Image: The Sebel Yarrawonga Silverwoods. Supplied.

New beginnings for Lindeman Island in the Whitsundays

After sitting neglected and unloved for 15 years, Lindeman Island in the Whitsundays is to reopen under a new resort brand operated by Marriott International.

Marriott has signed an agreement with Singaporean-based real estate company Well Smart Group to bring Le Méridien to Lindeman Island - marking Marriott International’s entry into the Whitsundays market.

The resort closed in 2012 after Cyclone Yasi and in 2023 was acquired by Well Smart, which is currently undertaking a $60 million renovation.

Expected to open in late 2027, Le Méridien Lindeman Island Resort & Spa will occupy a 70-hectare parcel of land with wide private beach frontage on Lindeman Island - one of 74 islands in Queensland’s Whitsunday Passage on the Great Barrier Reef.

Lindeman Island - once home to Australia's first Club Med resort - is located only a 20-minute boat journey from Hamilton Island Airport.

The renovated resort is expected to feature 200 premium guest rooms and nine suites, two restaurants, lobby lounge and bar, function space, resort pool, fitness centre, Explore Spa by Le Méridien, tennis courts, kids club, and a recreational activities centre offering water sports, along with an archery range and indoor golf facilities.

Le Méridien Lindeman Island Resort & Spa will join Le Méridien Melbourne as the second Le Méridien-branded property in Australia and will be part of the brand’s global portfolio of more than 120 hotels and resorts.

The resort will be operated by La Vie Hotels & Resorts, marking Marriott’s first project with the independent hotel management company.



“Le Méridien Lindeman Island Resort & Spa is expected to be Marriott International’s first in Queensland’s iconic Whitsunday Islands," said Richard Crawford, Marriott International’s vice president for hotel development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific.

"The resort will join our existing high-performing Queensland assets, located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Port Douglas.

"Whilst the Whitsunday Islands has been a much-loved destination for Australian travellers since the 1980s, visitation from international markets has been inhibited by a limited offering of international branded resorts.

"We are excited about the potential for Marriott’s leading distribution platforms and Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, which now has nearly 283 million members, to elevate the global profile and appeal of this remarkable destination."

See www.lemeridien.com.

Endeavour to slash and burn in dash for cash

What happens when you put people who know nothing about wine in charge of wine businesses?

Nothing good for wine lovers.

Star Australian wine producers Oakridge, Chapel Hill and Josef Chromy are all set to be sold after new Endeavour Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka - who knows a lot about aviation - announced plans to sell most of the company's vineyard and winery assets.

Endeavour will target $300 million in savings as Hrdlicka, formerly in charge of Virgin Australia, launches a turnaround plan to lift the struggling giant’s business profitability.

The changes were the first major announcement from Hrdlicka, who started in the role in January.

Endeavour is the largest liquor retailer in Australia, with brands that include Dan Murphy’s and BWS chains.

The plan appears to be to cut back on premium products and concentrate on bulk.

Yarra Valley winery Oakridge, under winemaker David Bicknell, has been one of Australia's best premium producers for two decades. Chapel Hill in McLaren Vale is a historic producer of top-notch wines led by talented Michael Fragos.

The company’s winery operations will be cut from seven sites to three. Endeavour will retain Cape Mentelle in Margaret River, Isabel Estate in Marlborough, New Zealand, and bulk production factory Dorrien Estate in the Barossa.

Hrdlicka said she remained committed to the Pinnacle Drinks business, which offers distribution channels and private-label wine brands, saying it was generating strong returns.

Hopefully the star brands find sympathetic owners focused on quality so Endeavour can concentrate on bulk labels and the bottom line. The decision reflects an apparent 'quantity over quality' mentality.   

Tribute to Springsteen: New edifice is born to run

Fans of Bruce Springsteen will want to note that the new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Monmouth University opens next month.

The Springsteen Center will be officially inaugurated on June 13 on the college campus in New Jersey. 

The 30,000-square-foot structure is largely inspired by Springsteen's music and includes a 240-seat theatre for intimate performances.

The Center promises to "preserve the legacy of Bruce Springsteen and celebrates the history of American music and its diversity of artists and genres". 

As the home of the Bruce Springsteen Archives, the Center serves as the official repository for materials related to Springsteen and the E Street Band, including photographs, historic memorabilia, and oral histories. 

The Center also explores American music more broadly by producing exhibitions, concerts, and educational programming that interprets and honours the cultural impact of American music past, present, and future.

The collection consists of thousands of rare photographs, documents, recordings, artefacts, and more related primarily to Springsteen and The E Street Band.

It stands just a short walk from the New Jersey shore where Springsteen wrote Born to Run.

Robert Santelli, the centre’s founding executive director, said the building places Springsteen within the wider story of American music rather than treating him in isolation. 

Recalling the moment he first put the proposal to the musician, Santelli said Springsteen told him he would prefer to be seen as a chapter in that ongoing story.

See https://springsteencenter.org/

Dumb divers accidentally do damage to coral reefs

Research at the University of Sydney has found that scuba-diving tourism - widely promoted as a sustainable way to experience coral reefs - is causing frequent and often hidden damage to fragile marine ecosystems.

The study, led by Dr Bing Lin from the University of Sydney’s Thriving Oceans Research Hub in the School of Geosciences, analysed the behaviour of more than 700 scuba divers across tourism hotspots in the Philippines and Indonesia, including Bali.

It is published today in Conservation Letters.

Drawing on data from more than 300 hours of underwater observation, the researchers recorded 4981 reef contact events among 411 divers. Around 41% of these contacts caused observable damage to coral, from direct breakage to the stirring of sediment that can smother reef life.

On average, divers made 0.26 reef contacts a minute - roughly one every four minutes - and spent nearly two seconds of every minute in direct contact with the reef.

“This work documents the unsustainable underwater footprint of scuba diving tourism on coral reefs,” said Dr Lin, who started the research during his PhD at Princeton University, completing it as part of his postdoctoral position at the University of Sydney.

A central finding of the study is that most damage is not deliberate. 

More than 80% of damaging contacts were unintentional or unnoticed by the diver, revealing how routine tourism activity can quietly degrade reef systems over time. 

Further, most divers in the study self-reported very high pro-environmental attitudes, suggesting that they, by and large, care about reef conservation.

The study also uncovered several striking psychological patterns. 

First, around three-quarters of divers rated themselves as “above average” in their ability to avoid reef contact compared to their peers - an example of the illusory superiority effect, where people systematically overestimate their abilities relative to others.

Additionally, the study also documented the well-known Dunning-Kruger effect in divers, where people with lower skill levels disproportionately overestimated their competence.

This overconfidence translated into a major gap between perception and reality. In matched observations, divers underestimated how often they contacted the reef by nearly fivefold.

“Many divers believe they are careful and low impact, but our data shows a consistent mismatch between perception and behaviour,” Dr Lin said.

The research identified several factors that were associated with increases in reef damage. Divers using underwater cameras, gloves or pointer sticks had higher contact rates, while peer behaviour also played a significant role - when one diver touched the reef, others were much more likely to follow suit.

Wildlife encounters - often the highlight of dive tourism - were found to significantly amplify damage. The presence of marine animals increased intentional reef contacts by 220%, unintentional contacts by 85%, and damaging contacts by 106%, often as divers approached or adjusted position to observe the wildlife.

“It’s difficult to quantify the true scale of the reef contact problem,” Dr Lin said. “But what is clear is that unregulated underwater tourism is an overlooked local driver of damage that adds to, and amplifies, other acute and chronic reef stressors.

“Tourism is critical to many coastal economies, including those closely linked to Australia.

“But without changes to diver behaviour, training and industry standards, it risks undermining the very ecosystems it depends on.”

Image: A scuba diver in Leyte, Phillipines 

Brisbane's north gets a new international hotel

Brisbane’s north has a new focal point with the 148-key Adina Chermside Brisbane now officially open.

Billed as being created "for travellers who value space, comfort and connection", the new hotel is located in one of Brisbane’s fastest-growing lifestyle precincts, moments from Westfield Chermside, close to leading hospitals, and an easy drive to Brisbane Airport, the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and the city.

Designed by WMK Architecture, Adina Chermside is "a calm, light-filled retreat crafted to reflect Brisbane’s subtropical climate and meet the needs of the evolving northern corridor". 

Guests at the TFE Hotels property can select from a mix of studio rooms and one-bedroom apartments with kitchen and laundry facilities. The hotel also offers access to an all-day café and bar, gym, meeting spaces, and undercover parking.

Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic Games with accommodation expected to be at a premium. 

“The interior experience was about creating a sense of retreat within an urban setting,” says WMK Architecture Practice director David Percival.

“Now that the hotel is open, you can see how the continuity of materials and the softness of the palette help establish a genuine ‘home away from home’ for a wide range of guests.”

“Adina Chermside isn’t just opening its doors; it’s opening a space where travellers can breathe out, settle in, and feel held by something recognisably their own,” says GM Sue Rowe. 

To celebrate its opening, Adina Chermside is offering a special Shop, Stay and Play opening package. 

Book for stays from now until July 31 and you will receive a 15% discount on the rooms, a $50 Westfield voucher to the first 100 to book direct, a bottle of wine and noon check-out. Room rates start from $211. Book via adinahotels.com.

Adina has hotel apartments in Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

For more details see https://adinahotels.com/en/apartments/chermside-brisbane.

Noir Noir marks the Winter Solstice in style

 

While Hobart has the Dark Mofo winter festival, the Tamar Valley in the north of Tasmania has Noir Noir. 

Pinot noir, whisky and stargazing collide for a one-night-only celebration - on the longest night of the year - with Tamar Ridge and Turner Stillhouse returning with their annual Winter Solstice event, Noir Noir. 

To be held on Saturday, June 20, from 6-10pm at the Tamar Ridge cellar door, the event will showcase cool-climate pinot noir wines, newly released spirits, bonfires, live music and guided stargazing beneath the Southern Hemisphere sky.

Guests will gather around outdoor fire pits while tasting red wines from Tamar Ridge alongside spirits from Turner Stillhouse, including the distillery’s newest whisky release.

Throughout the evening, local astronomer Chris Arkless will guide guests through the winter sky, sharing stories of constellations, celestial movement and the significance of the Winter Solstice.

Tamar Ridge chief winemaker Tom Wallace says Noir Noir has become a much-loved winter tradition in the Tamar Valley. 

“There’s something incredibly special about Tasmania in winter; the darkness, the stillness, the cold air, the stars overhead," Wallace said. "Noir Noir brings all those elements together in a way that feels uniquely Tasmanian. 

“Pinot noir and whisky are both incredibly expressive drinks. They’re layered, textural and deeply connected to place, and this event gives people the chance to experience them in a completely different setting."

Tickets are $45 per person and include tastings of new-release wines and spirits, live music and stargazing session. 

Guests can also enhance their experience with an optional Southern Skies Tasmanian Cheese Box ($30), featuring water crackers, aged cheddar, truffled cheddar and soft fetta.

Tickets are available at tamarridge.com.au/events/noir-noir-winter-solstice

Italian pan handler to star at Dark Mofo Winter Feast

Star Italian chef Floriano Pellegrino will be the headline act at the Dark Mofo Winter Feast in Hobart.

The guest chef runs Michelin-starred restaurant Bros’ in Puglia with his partner Isabella Potì - a venue known for its avant-garde interpretation of Italian cuisine.

Pellegrino will collaborate with Roberto Mele of MAMA Hobart artisanal bakery to create five dishes, including a ricotta and pickled mulberry tart.

The Winter Feast will once again transform the Hobart waterfront with tens of thousands of people expected across both weekends of this year’s Dark Mofo.

The Winter Feast will feature over 70 stallholders - 40% of them new - from across Tasmania, along with crackling fires, music and community.

‘The Winter Feast is a candlelit haven from the cold weather," says Chris Twite, Dark Mofo’s artistic director.

"It’s where we refuel, nourished by the ritual of coming together around the fires, enjoying the incredible array of food and drink, and sharing stories of exploration and discovery among friends and strangers."

Hobart micro restaurant Scholé will makes its first appearance at the Feast, with Luke Burgess serving up a Japanese-inspired dish of crispy potato mochi.

Star local chefs will include David Moyle and Lilly Trewartha, along with Analiese Gregory, while Mona executive chef Vince Trim will be back, cooking with fire at the Heavy Metal Kitchen.

Beverages will include a refreshing Strawberry Bubble from Cygnet's Tasmaniac Distillers, a hot buttered whisky from Battery Point Distillery and a selection of cocktails from Local Absinthe.

"The generosity, abundance and creativity of Tasmania’s food culture is on full display once again this year, with tasty offerings from all around the island," says Winter Feast food curator Amanda Vallis.

The music program kicks off with The Gathering, a First Nations-led celebration of culture, connection and storytelling for the first night of the Feast. Curated by Dark Mofo’s Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural advisor Caleb Nichols-Mansell, the Gathering centres the ‘Matriarchs of Music’, presenting by artists like Emma Donovan, BADASSMUTHA, DENNI, Bumpy, Stiff Gins and Nidala Barker.

The Feast spreads across Salamanca Lawns and Princes Wharf Shed 1 and runs on both weekends of the festival: Thursday 11–Sunday 15 and Thursday 18–Sunday 21.

Season passes are still available at darkmofo.net.au/winter-feast.

As part of the Winter Feast’s commitment to reaching zero waste, all stallholders will stock reusable cups and compostable crockery and cutlery. The Winter Feast is a cash-free event.

How cooking can help feed social cohesion

Food innovator Gilava Pour shares a guest post on how food can help change attitudes.

The term “social cohesion” has been everywhere lately. It’s in the news, in opinion pieces, and across government conversations. Everyone agrees it matters, but no one seems to agree on what it actually looks like.

Most of the discussion sits at a high level. Policy, national identity, frameworks. But it feels like we’re overcomplicating something that actually happens in much simpler ways.

I run a food brand called Exotic Bazaar. We make Middle Eastern meal bases for people who want something different for dinner but don’t know where to start.

And what we’re seeing is straightforward.

A lot of our customers have never cooked Middle Eastern food before. For some of them, their only exposure to the region has been through the news. 

Now they’re cooking dishes from that same region at home. They’re eating it with their families, talking about it, and saving it as something they’ll cook again.

Not because they’re trying to learn about a culture. Not because they’re trying to be open minded. Just because it tasted good.

But that’s exactly where something shifts.

Because that’s not how we usually think about changing perceptions. We assume it happens through conversation, education, or big moments. From what I’m seeing, it’s much smaller than that. It’s repetition. It’s familiarity. It’s doing something enough times that it stops feeling foreign.

You don’t need to convince someone to be interested in a culture if they already enjoy it in their own life. That’s a very different starting point.

There’s a lot of talk right now about division, mistrust, and people feeling disconnected. Some of that is real. But at the same time, there are small, quiet moments happening every day that don’t get talked about.

Someone trying a dish they’ve never had before. A family adding it into their regular meals. A conversation that starts with “this is actually really good.”

That’s it.

Nothing dramatic, but it adds up.

I didn’t start Exotic Bazaar to play a role in social cohesion. I just wanted to make the food I grew up with easier for people to cook. But it’s made me realise that this is where a lot of real connection actually starts.

Not at a national level. At a personal one.

We can keep having big conversations about what kind of country we want to be. But it’s worth paying attention to what’s already happening in people’s homes.

Because that’s where unfamiliar cultures stop being “other” and start becoming part of everyday life.

* Gilava Pour spent over 15 years of working as an IT professional in the finance sector before founding Ballarat-based Exotic Bazaar to share Persian and Middle Eastern food culture. See https://www.exoticbazaar.com.au/

Maritime Museum lights up for Vivid Sydney

The National Maritime Museum in Sydney has launched a special program of events to coincide with the Vivid Sydney festival, celebrating Indigenous artforms and storytelling.

Right through Vivid until June 13, the museum will be championing the work of renowned Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Island) artist Brian Robinson, with the precinct being illuminated after dark by Mythical Mashup: The Graphic Worlds of Brian Robinson.

Robinson’s work already is celebrated in his collaborative exhibition Ur Wayii (Incoming Tide) on show in the museum.

A centrepiece of the museum program will be a one-night event Sea Gathering on Tuesday, June 2

Sea Gathering: Myth and Modernity is a free immersive program which brings together light, music, creating, food, and storytelling in a shared harbourside setting. 

The program will combine contemporary visual art, live performance, digital play, hands-on workshops, and cultural storytelling. It operates as a hybrid between a night festival, exhibition activation, and community gathering, offering audiences a flexible and social experience.

Throughout the evening, Robinson will lead small groups to the Action Stations deck to view the large-scale projection, sharing insights into the stories, characters and creative process behind the animation. 

Floating Realm, meanwhile, will unfold across the harbour and Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse as a sculptural landscape of LED-lit forms, hovering on the water’s surface and suspended in the sky.

Immersive experiences of animation, illumination and storytelling will be visible at the museum nightly until June 13 from 6-11pm with optimal vantage points at Pyrmont Bridge or King Street Wharf as part of the Vivid Light Walk.

The Museum is also pleased to host Wonderverse by Patch Theatre and a Vivid Moonlight Sea Kayaking Experience by Sydney Harbour Kayas as part of Vivid. 

‘Vivid Sydney is a vital moment for the museum each year, giving us a powerful platform to connect audiences with art, culture and storytelling in unforgettable ways," says museum director and CEO Daryl Karp. 

"In 2026, we are especially proud to celebrate the extraordinary work of Brian Robinson, whose richly imaginative practice brings together ancestral knowledge and contemporary creativity."

For more info visit www.sea.museum/vividsydney

An alpine style winter escape, minus the mountains

Fancy an alpine-style winter experience in the Melbourne CBD? 

Fondue Chalet at Federation Square has partnered with DoubleTree by Hilton to offer a French style city break, with no flight to Europe needed.

So think a winter-decorated hotel room paired with some alpine taste treats (fondue or raclette) and mulled wine for dinner. 

The Fondue Chalet has returned with private wooden chalets, French-accented hospitality and the traditional feast of melted cheese on a winter's night. 

The experience is operated by a French team aiming to replicate genuine recipes, traditions and warmth from the mountains of France to the banks of the Yarra.

DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne, meanwhile, is offering specially decorated winter rooms (below).

"Across France and the Alps, fondue and raclette bring millions of people together around the table every winter. It's what we simply call the joy of the table," says Vincent Hernandez, founder of Fondue Chalet. 

"In France they are not just meals, they are moments shared with family and friends. Seeing that same ritual happening here in Melbourne is incredibly special."

The DoubleTree by Hilton Melbourne winter room is available for bookings until August 31 on the hotel website. The winter package includes an overnight stay in a Winter Chalet Loft Room, a decadent free flowing hot chocolate station in the room, and breakfast in bed for two people.

Guests can enjoy 15% off their Fondue Chalet experience. Tickets cost from $79 per person (chalets seat six). Children under six dine free.

See www.fonduechalet.com.au and https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/melfsdi-gwint-0b248d82-0539-4578-b9d9-94bcbf45503f/

Discover new small group wine experiences in France

Calling vinophiles keen on an immersive experience in French wine regions. 

Tauck has opened bookings for its 2027 European land itineraries, including a new eight-day journey through France's Champagne and Alsace regions, and a new exploration of Bordeaux and south-western France.

A Week In… Champagne & Alsace is a new eight-day itinerary averaging 24 guests beginning in the village of Kaysersberg, Alsace, with a three-night stay at Le Chambard Hotel & Spa. Guests explore the nearby wine villages of Ribeauvillé and Colmar, visit a Munster cheese dairy in the countryside and enjoy a private dinner at a chef's home overlooking the Obernai Valley.

The journey continues to the Champagne capital of Reims for three nights at La Caserne Chanzy, a restored 18th-century military barracks. Highlights include a tour and tasting at a renowned Champagne house, an afternoon exploring the vineyards of Épernay by vintage car with a picnic lunch among the vines and an exclusive dinner at Moët & Chandon (above). 

The itinerary concludes with a visit to the Château de Chantilly and a farewell dinner at Château Mont Royal. Departures will run in April, May, June, September and October (from $12,190 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare).

Tauck has also reimagined its popular Bordeaux, the Dordogne & Biarritz tour. Refined from 14 days to a more focused 10-day journey, the itinerary is centred on south-western France's most interesting regions. 

Beginning with three nights at the very central InterContinental Bordeaux, highlights include a visit to the Cité du Vin wine museum and a château dinner in the Médoc. 

Guests then spend three nights at Hôtel les Glycines in the Dordogne, with a stop in the medieval wine village of St-Émilion, a private visit to Lascaux with dinner, and an exploration of Sarlat's excellent open-air market. 

The journey concludes with three nights at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz (above), with excursions to Basque country and the historic fishing village of St-Jean-de-Luz and additional free time to explore the coast. From $14,390 per person, double occupancy, plus airfare).

See www.tauck.com.au.

Parramatta accommodation options grow with new One Global property

 A new boutique hotel opening will further strengthen the accommodation choices in booming Parramatta. 

Following the opening of the new Sebel hotel, One Global Capital (OGC) has announced a new boutique hotel offering comprising 36 premium serviced apartment-style units. 

The moves is an expansion of OGC’s hospitality portfolio under its OGR brand, following in the footsteps of One Global Resorts Green Square inner Sydney. 

It sees OGR reposition a selection of larger-format residences within the building formerly known as SKYE Parramatta, marking the second hospitality asset under the One Global Resorts banner.

It showcases the group’s upmarket boutique hotel concept, "focused on design-led, experience-driven accommodation in key urban locations".

The Parramatta portfolio offers a flexible accommodation model suited to both short and extended stays. It is located a five-minute walk from both Parramatta Station and Parramatta Square. 

Iwan Sunito, chairman and group CEO of One Global Capital, said: “Parramatta is a suburb on the move and a critical part of Sydney’s future. Having delivered more than 750 apartments in the area in the past, with a value approaching half a billion dollars, we have a strong connection to this market and a clear understanding of its potential.” 

The development features a foyer designed by Koichi Takada (top image), who also led the interiors across the guest rooms. 

As part of the transition, One Global Resorts will introduce automated check-in technology. 

Looking ahead, Sunito will lead a program of progressive upgrades to both the building and interiors, further refining the 36 units. 

“We’ve selected the larger-format apartments within the building, as they align closely with our brand standards and the experience we aim to deliver,” Sunito said. 

“Our focus has been on securing the right product rather than scale, ensuring a high-quality, consistent offering as we continue to grow our portfolio.”

For more info see oneresortsparramatta.com.au

Canberra apartment hotel now part of global Best Western network

Leading global hotel brand BWH Hotels has welcomed Best Western Plus Canberra Central Apartments to its network, marking the first property under its new partnership with Central Apartment Group (CAG) Hotels.

Formerly operating as Canberra Parklands Central Apartments, the central property has a mix of studio and apartment-style accommodation. 

The opening marks the start of the partnership. Central Apartment Group operates 25 apartment hotels in key locations across Australia and has additional new‑build properties currently under development.

Best Western Plus Canberra Central Apartments is the first of its properties transitioning to BWH. 

Under the new agreement, CAG Hotels' diverse apartment portfolio will be rebranded across the Best Western Plus, Best Western, and SureStay brands - joining the global distribution platform. 

Sid Knell, CEO of Prime Group Australasia, which owns CAG Hotels, said the launch marks an important first step in the partnership.

“We chose BWH because of the dedicated service they offer to franchisees and owners, from design through to operations, as well as their strong global distribution and loyalty platform," Knell said. 

"The launch of Best Western Plus Canberra Central Apartments is an exciting milestone, and we look forward to bringing more of our properties into the network over the coming months.”

Rod Munro, managing director, BWH Hotels Australasia, said: “The addition of Best Western Plus Canberra Central Apartments is a proud moment for our team and sets the tone for what's ahead. It's the first of many high-quality apartment hotels that will strengthen our presence in key markets and broaden our offering for today's travellers."

* BWH Hotels is a leading global hospitality network comprised of three hotel brands, including WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels. The global network boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. 

On the right track: move to make rail travel in Europe easier

The European Commission has proposed new rules to make seamless rail travel across Europe a reality.

The proposals adopted this month are aimed at simplify planning and booking for regional, long-distance and cross-border travel, particularly for rail journeys involving multiple operators. 

At present, comparing all available travel options and identifying the most sustainable choices, especially for cross-border travel, remains difficult for passengers in the EU; especially for rail tickets.

Many passengers encounter obstacles when combining different transport services. 

Booking multiple-leg train journeys involving tickets from different companies can be complex, largely due to fragmented booking systems and the dominant market presence of certain rail companies.

Also, passenger protection is limited on rail journeys involving multiple tickets by different rail operators, travel news hub Travel Mole reports.

The proposals address these obstacles, delivering on President Ursula von der Leyen‘s suggestions. 

The Commission proposes measures enabling single-ticket bookings across multiple rail operators, making the rail market more transparent and accessible.

Passengers will be able to find, compare and purchase services combined from different rail operators into one single ticket, which can be bought in one transaction on a ticketing platform of their choice. This can be an independent platform, or the rail operator’s ticketing service.

In the event of missed connections during multi-operator rail journeys, passengers with a single ticket will benefit from new, full passenger rights protection, including assistance, rerouting, reimbursement and compensation.

The Commission will now submit the proposed regulations to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament for consideration. 

The Community of European Railways (CER), representing major national rail companies, strongly cautioned against the proposal’s mandatory distribution requirements and heavy burden of liability on railways. 

It says that railways will be left carrying the real cost and responsibility with inevitable repercussions on ticket prices.

Hiroshima: From devastation to modern metropolis

Hiroshima may be a Japanese city with a tragic history, but it is also a vibrant modern destination. 

Mercure has unveiled the newest addition to its growing hotel portfolio in Japan with the opening of  Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima in the city known for being bombed by the US with nuclear weapons. 

Located in the vibrant Hatchobori district, the 182-key hotel represents Accor's first property in Hiroshima, the second dual-branded collaboration with Tokyu Stay, and the 20th Mercure hotel in the country.

It is within a two-minute walk from Hiroshima Electric Railway's Hatchobori Station and offers easy access to Hiroshima's shopping, dining and cultural attractions. 

Inspired by Hiroshima's identity as a “city of water,” the hotel's design concept, “Beauty of Water and Light,” reflects the city's rivers, waterways and cityscape. 

Facilities include Share Lounge, a co-working space and lifestyle lounge that is open to both hotel guests and local residents. 

Hotel guests can enjoy craft bread created in partnership with long-established local bakery Aloft, as well as coffee by Hiroshima-based roastery, Mount Coffee.

Garth Simmons, divisional COO for Accor in Asia, said: “We are delighted to celebrate the opening of Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima, an exciting collaboration that brings together the strengths of Tokyu Stay and Mercure to create a distinctive hospitality experience in Hiroshima. 

"As Accor's first hotel in the city and the 20th Mercure hotel in Japan, this opening marks an important milestone for our growing presence in the country. Hiroshima continues to attract increasing interest from international travellers, and we believe this hotel is ideally positioned to connect guests with the culture, creativity and warmth of the destination. 

"The double-brand concept also remains relatively unique in Japan and within Accor's global network, making this partnership with Tokyu Stay a meaningful example of how two brands can come together through a shared commitment to locally rooted hospitality.”

Canadians proving keen on Australian wine

Canada should be a major market for Australian wine producers, particularly given the ongoing boycott of goods from the US. 

But when I visited late last year I was surprised how few quality Australian wine were available on LCBO shelves in Ontario.  

Now Australian winemakers are seeing renewed momentum in Canada, with new export and sales data along with feedback from importers pointing to a surge in demand for premium, regionally distinctive wines. 

That's the precise market I noted back then: https://www.gourmetontheroad.com/2025/11/plunging-us-wine-sales-to-canada-create.html

In the 12 months to March 2026, Australian wine exports to Canada rose 24% in value to $188 million and 15% in volume to 69 million litres, Wine Australia reports. 

The number of Australian exporters active in the market to 220 businesses.

Small steps from a low base, but important nonetheless. 

While 2025 restrictions on US wine imports reduced the availability of American products across Canadian liquor boards, producers say the strong performance of Australian wine over this period reflects groundwork laid over several years. 

Sustained engagement with buyers, retailers and sommeliers has strengthened understanding of Australia’s quality, diversity and regional strengths, positioning Australian wine to expand as shelf space became available, Wine Australia says.

Matt Fowles of Fowles Wine said the premium category’s momentum reflected renewed consumer interest in Australian wines with a strong sense of place.

“Our focus in firmly on fine wine, and it’s clear customers value having these wines back on shelves,” Fowles said. “When the regional story and provenance are understood, the category lifts quickly.”

Over the past two years, buyers from major provincial liquor boards including Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia have visited Australian regions through in-bound programs, while ongoing in-market activity including tastings, masterclasses and trade education has strengthened understanding of modern Australian wine.

Collectively, these visits have contributed to 177 new liquor board listings, expanded training for retail and on-premise staff and strengthened advocacy among sommeliers.

Vancouver-based importer Peter Marshall of Sur Lie said first-hand experience has played a critical role in shifting buyer confidence.

“Buyers who have travelled to Australia approach the category with far greater confidence,” Marshall said. “That first-hand experience reshapes their perceptions and opens the door to more distinctive and adventurous Australian wines.”

Libby Nutt, general manager marketing and export sales at Casella Family Brands, said engagement with buyers had strengthened relationships and delivered consistent commercial outcomes.

“Our relationships with the liquor boards have always been strong, but they’ve deepened significantly as more buyers travel to Australia,” Nutt said.

“These visits have driven real alignment, and we’ve secured new listings every time we reconnect. Each engagement is opening new doors and strengthening our presence in the market.”

At a recent trade event in Vancouver as part of Wine Australia’s North America Roadshow (top image), almost 100 key trade, buyers, media and sommeliers attended.