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.   

Tasmanian wine producer targeting Korean market

South Korea and India are largely unexplored export destinations for Australian wine producers.

Both have large populations with increasingly western focused young populations offering immense potential.

Josef Chromy Wines from Tasmania is one the wineries taking advantage and has partnered with Choix Trading to launch in South Korea’s on-trade sectors, wine industry news hub the drinks business has reported.

Choix Trading is operated by Avec Wine, an importer and distributor with offices in Seoul and Busan.

Avec says on its website: “We import and distribute wines that are not merely for drinking and getting drunk, but to further enhance gatherings with good people."

Josef Chromy Wines has worked with Choix Trading to launch a collection targeting leading Korean sommeliers and hospitality venues. 

The South Korean collection features Josef Chromy Riesling 2024; Chardonnay 2024; Pinot Noir 2024; Sparkling Cuvée NV; Sparkling Rosé NV; and Zdar Chardonnay 2024.

Founded by transplanted Czech native Josef Chromy in 2007, the estate boasts a 61-hectare vineyard at Relbia, south of Launceston.

Choix Trading is a boutique importer recently established to concentrate on higher-end vintages for on-trade channels.

“Josef Chromy Wines represents the type of high quality, terroir-driven estate we are committed to introducing to South Korea’s on-trade market,” said Taeho Choi, CEO with Choix Trading.

“We look forward to building the brand with our on-trade partners and sharing Tasmania’s distinctive cool-climate style with the Korean hospitality sector.”

Enjoy Tasmania's best bubbles over one indulgent weekend

Tasmania continues to grow its reputation for world-class sparkling wines - and the Effervescence Tasmania festival is a chance to try many of them over one indulgent weekend. 

The sparkling wine festival in northern Tasmania returns from November 10-12 and is now in its ninth year. 

The three days of events offer guests an array of opportunities to connect with the people who grow and make these wines, often with views of the vineyards from which the grapes are sourced. 

“Regional events such as Effervescence Tasmania are so important in creating unforgettable experiences for visitors to our state," says Sarah Clark, CEO of Tourism Tasmania. 

"By weaving together some of our world-class sparkling wines and produce against a picturesque backdrop, Effervescence further enhances Tasmania's reputation as a premier food and wine destination, contributing to our state’s reputation as a must-visit for discerning travellers.” 

Jane Thomson OAM, the founder of The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society and Australian Women in Wine, will be this year’s Gala Dinner keynote speaker.

“Tasmanian sparkling wines have long been a quiet favourite of those in the know," she says. "Led by some incredibly talented winemakers and the perfect cool-climate, the region confidently knocks at the door of the world’s best. E

"Effervescence is the perfect opportunity to shine a deserved spotlight and celebrate Tasmania’s sparkling success.” 

A second sparkling dinner, hosted by Wine Truth’s Loic Le Calvez, will be held at Timbre, north of Launceston, on the Friday night.

Highlights of the 2023 program include The Grand Tasting, a public tasting event at Josef Chromy Wines that will showcase over 50 wines from 15 of Tasmania’s best sparkling producers. 

Guests can also enjoy two educational wine masterclasses; Tasmanian Sparkling and International Sparkling, while Bubbles and Beats featuring DJ Damien Goundrie will round out the Saturday program.

The cellar doors of Jansz Tasmania, Clover Hill, Small Wonder and Josef Chromy Wines will host tours and masterclasses throughout the weekend.

Tickets for Effervescence Tasmania are on sale now at effervescencetasmania.com.

Wineries participating include Apogee Tasmania, Barringwood, Bellebonne, Brook Eden, Clover Hill Wines, Delamere Vineyard, Freycinet Vineyard, Henskens Rankin of Tasmania, Holm Oak, House of Arras, Jansz Tasmania, Josef Chromy Wines, Kreglinger Wine Estates, Pirie Tasmania, Small Wonder Wines and Spring Vale Wines. 

Is yoga in the vines the next wellness trend?

Wellness trends come and go. 

Remember flotation tanks? Or power walking? 

For now, however, yoga in the vines is looming as one of the next big wellness trends. 

Sit on the edge of a lovely lake while taking slow sips of a cool-climate, then practice yoga by that same lake, taking mindful breaths of fresh air.

Stretch and sip, they call it.

I'd rather be in a wine bar myself, but then I am not the demographic. 

Josef Chromy Wines in Tasmania are leading the yoga in the vines charge. 

“Yoga In the Vines is a great way to start your Josef Chromy Wines experience,” says Amy Russell, Wine Club and Marketing Manager for the wine producer. 

“It is a chance to settle into the vineyard landscape before you indulge in wines drawn from the same earth, matched with the freshest local produce.”

Under the guidance of a qualified instructor, yogis are invited to enjoy a personalised wellness session.

After your yoga class concludes, enjoy a glass of Josef Chromy wine. 

“Funnily enough, the vineyard views aren’t the star of our Yoga in the Vines experience; it turns out that guests find the frog calls and bird song around the vineyard lake to be the best accompaniment to a mindful yoga session,” Russell says. 

After working up an appetite, yogis can enjoy a long, lazy two-course meal and perhaps another sneaky glass of wine or two. 

The added bonus? The mindfulness skills honed through yoga might just improve your wine-tasting techniques as you learn to zero in on subtle flavours with an open, quiet mind. 

Book your Yoga in the Vines session HERE.

Image: Juanny Tan. Info: Ultimate Winery Experiences.

 

The smiling faces of Effervesence

 

Effervesence is Tasmania's annual celebration of sparkling wine. 

Held at Josef Chromy Wines and other venues across the Tamar Valley, it encompasses masterclasses curated by Tyson Stelzer and leading winemakers (above), tastings, dinners, bubbles and beats entertainment and dancing, as well as food trucks and leisure time on the lawns. 

It is also about people; the folk who make and sell Tasmanian sparkling wines.

Here are some of the smiling faces I captured earlier this weekend. 

# The writer was a guest of Josef Chromy Wines and Ultimate Winery Experiences

Tasmanian sparkling wines on an upward trajectory

Wine lovers can expect to pay more for premium Tasmanian sparkling wine in future.

The premium wines from Australia's island state are still undervalued in world markets, particularly aged wines. 

That was the takeaway from last night's Tasmanian Sparkling Dinner hosted by leading sparkling expert Tyson Stelzer at Josef Chromy Wines in the Tamar Valley.

Attended  by many of Australia's leading sparkling wine makers, the dinner was part of the annual Effervesence festival, which showcases Tasmania's finest sparkling wines. 

The event featured five different styles of cool-climate bubbles from producers including Chromy, Pirie, Delamere, Bellebonne, Bream Creek, Jansz, Apogee, Kreglinger, Clover Hill, Stefano Lubiana, Moorilla and House of Arras. 

The festival continues until Sunday. 

"Tasmanian producers need to be more ambitious price wise," said Stelzer. "They are making exceptional wines and the prices need to reflect that."

Natalie Fryar from Bellbonne described Tasmania as "one of the most exciting places on earth to make sparkling wine", while Fred Peacock from Bream Creek said the island's sparkling wines are on a "strong trajectory" and being noticed around the world. 

Sparkling wine pioneer Andrew Pirie from Apogee said the key for Tasmania's future growth is finding "a way to differentiate our brand."

The writer was a guest of Ultimate Winery Experiences and Josef Chromy Wines     

 

Effervesence to sparkle one more time

UPDATE 

Tasmania's leading sparkling wine festival returns in November after a brief period on ice. All the events sold out, but due to some interstate cancellations a few last-minute tickets are avalable.  

The finest sparkling houses on the Apple Isle will once again come together to showcase their best cuvées at the Effervescence Tasmania festival from November 5-7.

Now in its seventh year, Effervescence Tasmania offers guests the opportunity to sample over 50 sparkling wines from around Tasmania, poured by the people who grow and make them.

Multi-award-winning wine writer and international authority Tyson Stelzer will host the Tasmanian Sparkling Wine Dinner and sparkling masterclasses at Josef Chromy Wines as part of the 2021 program. A handful of tickets to these two events have just been re-released.

A second sparkling dinner, hosted by Wine Truth’s Loic Le Calvez, will be held at Timbre Kitchen at Velo Wines in Legana.

"Effervescence Tasmania has become a mainstay of the Tasmanian festival calendar, attracting and welcoming visitors from around Tasmania, interstate and, until Covid, from overseas,’ says Shaine de Venny, general manager of Josef Chromy Wines, the event organisers. 

"Although persistent travel restrictions will likely mean that not everyone who wants to attend will be able to, we’re putting everything in place to ensure that festivities will be safe and enjoyable for all. 

"Flexible cancellation policies will also take into account the evolving Covid situation."

Highlights of the 2021 program include The Grand Tasting, a public tasting event at Josef Chromy Wines on Saturday, November 6, showcasing over 50 cuvées from 14 of Tasmania’s best sparkling producers. 

The popular Bubbles and Beats sessions featuring DJ Damien Goundrie will round out the Saturday program.

The cellar doors of the House of Arras, Clover Hill, The Ridge North Lilydale and Josef Chromy Wines will host a program of tours, masterclasses and even a mimosa and yoga session on Sunday, November 7. 

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Borders willing, Grapes of Mirth will return to Tasmania for their third showcase as part of Effervescence Tasmania.

"The Effervescence Tasmania festival is even more special in 2021, with demand for Tasmanian sparkling remaining exceptionally high," says de Venny.

"Effervescence Tasmania is a great opportunity to sample wines that may not be available otherwise, and to get insider information on when the next release is available."

Tickets for Effervescence Tasmania are now available through the Effervescence Tasmania website.www.effervescencetasmania.com/

Participating wine producers are Apogee Tasmania, Barringwood, Brook Eden, Brown FWG/Pirie, Clover Hill Wines, Delamere Vineyard, House of Arras, Jansz Tasmania, Josef Chromy Wines, Kreglinger Wine Estates/Pipers Brook, Moores Hill, Moorilla, Spring Vale and  The Ridge North Lilydale.