Bicknell exits Oakridge after 24 1/2 years

David Bicknell, one of Australia's finest and most influential winemakers, has been cut lose by Endeavour Group, owners of Yarra Valley winery Oakridge.

Bicknell, who has headed operations at Oakridge for almost a quarter of a century, announced the split on social media. 

He is a chardonnay maestro and an inspiration to many in the wine industry. 

"Well, that’s it," Bicknell wrote. "After nearly 24 and a half years, my time Oakridge Wines has come to an end.

"It’s been an amazing ride, taking what was broken winery to the top of the industry with an unwavering commitment to quality and plenty of hard graft. Some really good times with some really good people.

"They say you never know you’re going to get boned until you do. And so it is. Thankfully, I leave a highly trained, capable and talented team for the next piece of history. Your support for them would mean a lot to me."

Bicknell was Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year (2017), is a past Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial (2005) and co-founder of the Victorian Pinot Noir Workshop (2002).

He is a senior wine show judge with 20 years of experience across both regional, capital city shows and was the Chairman of Judges for the National Wine show of Australia from 2019 to 2023.

After completing winemaking studies at Roseworthy College in 1993, Bicknell joined De Bortoli Wines in the Yarra.

After a 10-year tenure, which included added winemaking stints in Burgundy (Louis Latour), Alsace (Paul Blanck) and Beaujolais (Chateau Bluizard), he took over at Oakridge Wines in 2002, establishing the producer among Australia's best.

Oakridge was named the number one winery in Australia by both the Halliday Wine Companion and  Real Review in 2023.

He and partner Nicky Harris have operated side project Bicknell FC since 2011.

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.   

Drink well; help the environment during April

Yalumba's Y Series wine range, drinks retailer Endeavour Group, and 4 Pines Brewing Co will combine to celebrate World Earth Day on April 22. 

The trio will aim to transform everyday purchases into making a tangible national impact on the environment. 

The Our Power, Our Planet campaign will see every purchase of 4 Pines Pacific Ale cans or Y Series wines directly fund the planting of native flora and the restoration of vital bushland across the country.

Dan Holland, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at Endeavour Group, outlined said that Earth Month across April serves as a powerful reminder of the collective action needed to protect the planet. 

“At Endeavour Group, we believe that when our customers, trade partners and our team act together, we can make a difference with even a day-to-day choice of which drinks to enjoy,” he said.

Throughout April, 4 Pines Brewing Co. has committed to planting one native tree, shrub, or groundcover for every carton of 4 Pines Pacific Ale sold. This initiative contributes to a multi-year partnership with Landcare Australia. 

Simultaneously, Y Series is ramping up its conservation efforts. It is pledging to regenerate 10,000

square metres of koala habitat from proceeds raised throughout April in partnership with Greenfleet.

"Through our Y Series Earth Month campaign, we aim to make a tangible and positive impact on the environment by planting vegetation in areas that need it most," says winemaker Sam Wigan.

"Sustainable practices go beyond our winemaking. It’s about our community, its people and future 

generations.”

Recent Y Series releases ($15-16) include Y Series Lighter Cuvée, Y Series Pinot Grigio 2025, Y Series Lighter Pinot Grigio 2025, Y Series Riesling 2025, Y Series Chardonnay 2025 and Y Series Lighter Shiraz 2024.

I’m working through the wines right now: the chardonnay is very good value and pinot grigio is fine. The lighter shiraz and pinot grigio didn’t work for me. They tasted like they’d been diluted with water. 

Products can be purchased during April at any Dan Murphy’s or BWS outlet, or via their online stores. 

Australia's wine culture on the move

Australia’s wine consumption trends have been put under the microscope with the recent release of a first of its kind report called State of the Grapes, which reveals large-scale shifts in the nation’s palates, our Hunter Valley correspondent Rick Allen reports.

A collaboration between Wine Australia and the Endeavour Group, the report analyses sales data from BWS and Dan Murphy’s and gives an insight into what the wine shelves of the future could look like.

"We are witnessing a significant evolution in how Australians are choosing their wine," says Andrew Shedden, general manager of Premium and Luxury at Endeavour Group.

"Not just fleeting trends, but long-term, global patterns that are reshaping the entire Australian wine landscape.

“From the surging popularity of rosé and prosecco to the 'spritz culture' invigorating the market, consumers are sending a clear message: they want lighter, more versatile, and often more affordable options."

Across every state, there is a clear trend towards lighter-bodied and more refreshing wine styles. 

Varieties such as pinot noir, pinot grigio/gris, rosé, and prosecco have all grown their market share significantly. This comes at the expense of traditional fuller-bodied red wine varieties which have seen a decline in sales since 2018.

Cask wine, sauvignon blanc, traditional red blends and non-vintage sparkling joined shiraz in experiencing the most significant declines over the long term.

Innovation has breathed new life into the wine sector. 

The 'spritz' category (sparkling-wine-based cocktails) has spearheaded this. Driven by Millennial and Gen Z consumers seeking accessible, refreshing and Instagrammable options, the desire for Spritz has the potential to define attitudes towards flavoured and sparkling wine styles.

Value is being prioritised above all else for younger Australians, making promotional deals a big factor in consumer decision making.

Findings suggest that younger drinkers are bypassing the traditional 'rules' of wine and prioritising their personal taste over conventional food pairings or norms. This is changing where and when wine is consumed, challenging its once-dominant place at the dinner table.

Around the states:

Victoria: leading the way nationally with new drinkers and innovation; national leader in Spritz sales; a trend away from shiraz to pinot noir.

NSW: Australia’s leading market, but with less state loyalty than other states, with 90% of sales on wines from other states or countries.

Western Australia: deep loyalty to local producers, with their preference for local heritage and classic varieties; a thirst for prosecco.

South Australia: a growing appreciation for shiraz despite the national decline; the highest commitment of any state to Australian wine.

Tasmania: The highest allegiance to local producers with nearly 20% of wine sales on in-state products, a figure that is eight times the national average.

Image: Elena Pasenko, Scop.io  

How Oxford Landing is endeavouring to do its bit for the environment

 

Australia’s leading liquor retail group has teamed up with Oxford Landing as part of a campaign to plant more trees during Earth Month.

Endeavour Group is working the Oxford Landing brand to support native revegetation efforts across Australia throughout April. 

Oxford Landing will commit to regenerating one square meter of bushland for every bottle of its One to One brand sold during April.

Centred around Earth Day on April 22, Earth Month is a global celebration, with more than one billion people advocating for the environmental health of the planet.

Dan Holland, director of corporate affairs and sustainability at Endeavour Group, said: “Earth Month is a powerful reminder for us all to consider the collective action needed to protect our planet.

“We’re proud to be teaming up with Oxford Landing, a supplier committed to leading change.

“Partnering together, will help us talk to our customers about the impact small, individual choices can make collectively.”

This initiative invites Endeavour customers to be part of the change by purchasing select One to One products at Dan Murphy’s or BWS, online or in-store.

Oxford Landing has been devoted to the replanting and regeneration of native flora and fauna at its Riverland home, to date planting over 200,000 native trees and shrubs on 6.6 million square metres of dedicated conservation area. 

At the time of launching One to One in 2023, Oxford Landing partnered with Greenfleet to plant the One to One Bushland, allowing customers to directly track the impact of their wine purchase.

Louisa Rose, head of sustainability at Oxford Landing, said: “Every bottle of One to One sold has a positive impact on the planet. Restoring and enriching habitats and regenerating ecosystems with one square metre of bushland for every one case sold - that’s our One to One promise.

“We love working with Endeavour Group on our Earth Month campaign, as we know customers are looking to support planet-positive initiatives.” 

I'm working through some of the wines right now, and the 2022 Merlot is a standout with its bold favours and smooth finish. Recommended. I also very much enjoyed the very quaffable shiraz.   

See oxfordlanding.com and greenfleet.com.au