Grant Burge Wines kicking goals during Gather Round

Barossa-based Grant Burge Wines takes its Australian Rules football seriously. 

The official wine partner of the AFL and AFLW will be high profile at the South Australian AFL Gather Round this weekend, with activations across Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, including a corporate lunch in the state capital.  

“Gather Round has quickly become one of the most exciting events on the AFL calendar and a fantastic showcase for South Australia," says Sandy Mayo, Chief Marketing Officer for brand owner Vinarchy. 

"As a Barossa Valley producer, it’s a natural fit for Grant Burge Wines to be involved in the celebrations and to welcome visitors to experience the region.”

The Grant Burge's cellar door in the Barossa (above) will be open daily throughout Gather Round from 10:00am to 4:30pm, offering tasting experiences including the Legends of the Vine tasting, which features wines from Grant Burge and fellow Barossa producer St Hugo.

Executive chef Simon Hicks has created an exclusive food pairing for the football festival - a gourmet Meshach pie accompanied by a glass of Grant Burge’s flagship wine, Meshach Shiraz, offering a serious taste of the Barossa. 

Grant Burge Wines will also be present in Lyndoch on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday April 12, when AFL matches are held in the Barossa, giving fans the opportunity to enjoy local wines as part of the match-day atmosphere.

Bookings for cellar door experiences at grantburgewines.com.au

Maximum exposure: It's Vinarchy in the AFL

AFL fans better get used to quaffing some new Barossa wine after the league announced a partnership with leading global wine company Vinarchy.

The deal will see prominent Australian wine brand Grant Burge Wines as the Official Wine Partner of the AFL, AFLW and AFL-owned Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

The four-year partnership, which starts immediately, will see widespread exposure for Barossa-born brand.

Grant Burge Wines will be poured at all AFL and AFLW-owned events, including the AFL Brownlow Medal and AFLW Awards, as well as across key hospitality and event spaces within Marvel Stadium.

AFL executive general manager customer, commercial and technology (what a job title!) Bec Haagsma said the partnership is built on shared values.

“There is a strong alignment between both organisations in creating memorable experiences and both share a passion for bringing people together - we can’t wait to work with the team at Vinarchy across the next four years,” she said.

Established in 2025 following the merger of Accolade Wines and Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Vinarchy combines Vin (the French word for wine), with Archy (from the Ancient Greek word for leadership). Together it means wine leadership.

The AFL’s previous wine deal was with Pepperjack. 
See www.vinarchy.com

 

Date clash a serious stuff up for Hobart's winter tourism industry

The Tasmanian capital of Hobart is extremely quiet for virtually every weekend of winter.

Hotels have empty rooms; restaurants bemoan empty tables.

So the announcement on November 3 that crowd-pulling Dark Mofo, Australia's mid-winter solstice festival, would return to Hobart from Thursday June 11 to Monday June 22 universally welcomed.

Alongside the festival’s large-scale public art installations, will be live performances and exclusive musical acts.

Dark Mofo 2026 will also include familiar rituals: Winter Feast, Night Mass, the Ogoh-Ogoh burning and the Nude Solstice Swim.

Hotels will be full; bars and restaurants heaving.

That only leaves a dozen other weekends when Hobart's tourism operators would welcome some help from other events.

What a wasted opportunity then that after the hapless Tasmanian Government paid a million dollars for Richmond to play one home AFL game in Hobart in 2026, the AFL last week announced its fixture list.

Sure enough, the AFL chose Sunday, June 14, for the Hobart match between Richmond and reigning AFL premiers Brisbane.

Accommodation will be at a premium; many flights will be full with Dark Mofo attendees and any remaining seats will be priced stratospherically.

So who stuffed up? Jane Howlett, minister for tourism and events will plead ignorance. Dark Mofo will say it had announced its dates well in advance.

The AFL, one of the most arrogant sporting bodies on the planet, is unlikely to give a damn.

There will be two victims. The Tasmanian tourism industry. And interstate fans of Richmond and Brisbane. Just another stuff up. A shrug of the shoulders, Just move on.      

Former AFL players want to help hotel guests get into shape

A state-of-the-art movement and recovery facility has opened its doors at Pullman Melbourne on the Park, a hotel which was positively reviewed here last month.
.
Salt, which has been billed as one of the best training environments in Australia, features "cutting-edge technology, top-notch fitness amenities, and unparalleled expertise".

The gym comprises five distinct zones, each offering an opportunity to promote fitness, good health and growth.

Salt's functional fitness and cycling zones features ergonomically-designed cutting-edge equipment for strength, cardio and flexibility training.

Completing these zones is an exclusive recovery haven with a sauna and steam room, magnesium spa, ice baths and compression recovery area.

“We are excited to welcome Salt to Pullman Melbourne on the Park," says Pullman Melbourne on the Park general manager Stephan Leroy.

"This new state-of-the-art fitness and recovery centre will perfectly complement our recently renovated rooms and executive lounge, ensuring that our guests can enjoy first-class facilities during their stay with us.”

Salt's founders are former AFL players Dean Solomon and Matthew Kennedy, who also operate a facility at Kingscliff on the Gold Coast.

“We are on a mission to help transform every person that walks through our doors, whether they are elite athletes or just starting their fitness journey,” Solomon said.

In collaboration with Pullman Melbourne on the Park, Salt has introduced the 'Salt Movement & Recovery' package.

But it is not just hotel guests who will have access.

Salt memberships are also available. For further information see https://saltfit.com.au/east-melbourne/

Calling all beer-loving AFL fans

Carlton Draught is the official beer of the AFL (that is Aussie Rules football for those overseas). 

And now Carlton (the brewer, not the team) has launched a limited-edition 24-pack of Carlton Draught lager in heritage-style cans reflecting each of the 18 AFL club logos. 

Each mixed 24 pack will contain all 18 clubs, with the remaining six cans being a random mix of clubs.

The packs are available at Dan Murphy's stores for $49.90. 

Perfect for toasting a victory, or drowning your sorrows after a loss.