Australia's popular wine and cheese party is back

One of Australia's most successful gourmet events, Mould x Pinot Palooza, is returning in 2025. 

The showcase of outstanding cheeses and stellar pinot noirs from across Australia and New Zealand, will return its food and wine tour to Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth in 2025. 

Bad news, however, for Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart, who miss out this time around. 

These will be the first Mould x Pinot Palooza events since the departure of event founder and guru Dan Sims, so the pressure will be on the Revel Global team to match the excellence of previous years. 

The dates will be May 23-25 at the John Reid Pavilion at the Showgrounds in Brisbane, July 4-5 in Melbourne at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton and August 9-10 at the Silver Jubilee Pavilion at the Claremont Showgrounds  in Perth.

Pre-sales open today for previous party goers with public tickets available from tomorrow. 

Organisers boast: "From the creamiest brie to the stinkiest blue, the prettiest Yarra Pinot and robust Central Otago - we’ve got you covered."

Tickets are $59 plus booking fee and include unlimited tastings at featured stalls, plus a complimentary cooler bag, wine glass and tote.

See https://pinotpalooza.com.au/

Sims stands down, but will bounce back

You might not know the name Dan Sims.

But if you've attended a Pinot Palooza or Mould - A Cheese Festival event then you'll have enjoyed his work.

Sims, whose latest business iteration was as part of REVEL Global, has been hailed as man who "re-invented wine events in Australia".

The livewire marketer helped make wine and food events fun again - and sold a whole lot of wine and cheese along the way.

Sims announced this week via LinkedIm that he is "stepping away from all things REVEL Global, Pinot Palooza and Mould"

His post said:

"At a briefing in Melbourne the other week I said 'Since that first crazy idea of Pinot Palooza back in 2012 and then MOULD in 2017 (and all the others!), we’ve come together and celebrated the best of our collective industries. 

"We’ve come together in collaboration, not competition and made it not just our mantra but a code. A true belief.

"Together, the festivals of both Pinot Palooza and MOULD have grown and grown with tens of thousands of people joining across the country and overseas.

"And as a result, they’ve grown above and beyond any one brand or producer and certainly, beyond any one person.

"To have been a part of this, to witness this, and to lead it has been the greatest privilege of my professional career.”

Sims has handed the reins to Jessica Audas.

"She’s fully taken on the REVEL ethos of ‘giving a shit’ and cares deeply for all who take part; producer, supplier and punter alike," Sims said.

"She's gonna nail it.

"I’m so bloody proud of her, the team, and the empowered culture we’ve built as a result and I trust all will support her with the care and respect she deserves."

Sims paid tribute to Justin Dry and the Vinomofo team, who backed the return of the festivals post-Covid.

"They truly saw our potential, backed us and allowed us the space - and critical support - to keep us going as we reimagined festivals post-Covid."

Sims says he will take "an extended break to rest, recoup and focus on my health".

But fear not, he has some ideas in the pipeline. And the former sommelier, writer and show judge will continue in his role as chair of Wine Victoria.  

And I notice there is a website  https://www.dansims.com.au/ coming soon.