Riesling Challenge winds up after 26 years

 

One of Australia's most respected wine competitions is no more. 

The Committee of the Canberra International Riesling Challenge has made the difficult decision to wind up the event after over a quarter of a century. 

The Riesling Challenge was founded in 2000, and between 2000 and 2025 a total of 24 Challenges were held. 

The peak number of entries in any year was 567 (2018) and the peak number of countries entering was nine countries (2019). 

It was, at its peak, the largest single variety wine show in the southern hemisphere. 

“Regrettably the increase in international airfreight and challenging economic conditions in the international and Australian wine industries post-Covid have significantly impacted entry levels, and despite our best efforts we have been unable to return to operating a revenue positive event," said James Service, the event chairman. 

"Accordingly, the committee has agreed that ending the Challenge is the only appropriate course available. 

“From the outset, the Challenge has benefited from well qualified and skilled judges, a strong and enthusiastic steward cohort, a professional management team, the support of the diplomatic community and generous and steadfast sponsors.

“With the support of the entrant wineries we have been highly successful in our stated aim of improving the quality of riesling available to consumers, and increasing consumer’s appreciation and understanding of riesling.” 

What next for superstar chef Peter Gilmore?

What is next for superstar chef Peter Gilmore/

A new venture in Sydney, perhaps, or a small eatery in Tasmania?

Quay Restaurant in Sydney, where Gilmore's cuisine has shone for 24 years, is to close in February. And Gilmore's consultancy gig at Bennelong finishes at the end of the financial year.

Gilmore already has a farm at Kettering, south of Hobart, where he grows fruit and vegetables, and is a regular at Peppermint Bay, so locals will have their fingers crossed.

Gilmore himself is giving nothing away, saying only: "I look forward to sharing my next chapter with you at some stage in the future."

No clues there.

Sydney-born Gilmore, 57, said on social media this morning that he was proud of his almost a quarter of a century in charge of the Fink family's Quay, one of Australia's finest fine diners.

"I have mixed emotions in announcing that Quay Restaurant will be closing its doors this February," he said.

"Over the past two decades there are many things I am proud of: the hundreds of young chefs and front of house professionals who have passed through our doors contributing their passion and professionalism to the Quay story.

"To have mentored and hopefully inspired, and to see so many go on to do great things. It has been the privilege of my career."

Under Gilmore Quay achieved an Australian record of 23 consecutive three Chefs Hats in the SMH Good Food Guide and spent five years in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list.

"It’s something that I will always be proud and grateful for," he said. "But more so to have worked so closely with the most incredible farmers, producers and artisans over all these years., to have been able to contribute to the quality and diversity of produce available in Australia through these relationships.

"And to all our guests over the years, I hope we have created memories and experiences that will stay in your hearts for many years to come. What a privilege it has been. At Quay I’ve been able to pursue my love of creativity and natures diversity and the exploration of texture and intensity of flavours in my cuisine."

Quay will operate as usual during the peak summer season and Gilmore will be consulting at Bennelong until the end of June.

Stay tuned.

Another budget airline shuts down operations

Yet another budget airline has gone out of business, leaving unwitting passengers stranded.

Icelandic low-cost airline Play has abruptly shut down, travel news hub Travel Mole reports.

That has led to thousands of stranded passengers as its entire flight network was cancelled.

The airline issued a message to customers saying: “Fly PLAY has ceased operations, and all flights have been cancelled. We kindly advise you to check flights with other airlines. Some carriers may offer special ‘rescue fares’ considering the circumstances.”

Customers were advised to contact their credit card issuers and travel agents to file for refunds.

The airline has offered Europe-wide flights and transatlantic services.

Keflavik Airport in Reykjavik said the sudden news impacted about 1,750 passengers at the airport.

Play flights to Baltimore, Barcelona and Lisbon were cancelled, as well as inbound services from Paris, London and Copenhagen.

More than 500 employees are likely to be made redundant.

Play, launched in 2021, had a 10-plane fleet and carried about 1.6 million passengers in 2024.

Regional winery restaurant icon closes after 13 years

It is time for a change at one of regional Victoria's most popular winery restaurants.

After 13 years of sharing regional Italian cuisine, the Dal Zotto family will close down their much-loved Trattoria in the King Valley later this month.

The change will make way for a revamp of their cellar door which will continue to celebrate the Dal Zotto family's legacy as Australia’s "First Family of Prosecco".

While the Trattoria will close its doors on July 13, the cellar door will remain, alongside the on-site accommodation - Dal Zotto Homestead and Studios.

The reimagined space will feature a prosecco-focused destination with Italian-inpsired wine and food pairing.

The closure of the Trattoria does not mean the food offering will disappear entirely. Instead, the family said in a satetment, t will evolve, serving antipasto platters and select food pairings that complement Dal Zotto wines.

Second-generation custodians Michael and Christian Dal Zotto said: “To our incredible teams, past and present, thank you for bringing the Trattoria to life.

"And to our guests, who filled our tables with love and support, we say a heartfelt thank you. You have been the heart of this journey, and we are forever grateful for the friendships forged and the stories shared.”

See www.dalzotto.com.au

Airport chaos from Heathrow to Bali

From London to Denpasar, flights around the world are being delayed and rescheduled.

London Heathrow Airport (above) will be closed all day Friday as emergency services deal with a significant fire in the vicinity, local media reported.

All flights in and out have been cancelled or diverted after a fire at a nearby substation caused a major power outage.

In Bali, meanwhile, flights have been cancelled due to a volcano erupting.

"Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information. We apologise for the inconvenience," Heathrow Airport said on Facebook.

At least 120 flights bound for Heathrow have been diverted, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 recorded.

Flights were to land at nearby airports, including Gatwick.

Meanwhile, travellers have been stranded after flights to and from Bali were cancelled and delayed due to volcanic ash caused by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi on the south-eastern part of the remote Indonesian island of Flores.

The volcano was sending rocks, lava and ash about nine kilometres into the sky, Indonesia's Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation said.

Visitors and tourists were ordered to maintain an eight-kilometre distance from the volcano.

There is also a threat of rain-induced lava floods in rivers that originate at the mountain's peak. 

As of Friday morning "several international flights had been cancelled, six of them Jetstar flights bound to Australia and one Air Asia flight to Kuala Lumpur,” Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport spokesperson, Andadina Dyah, said in a statement.

Several other flights - domestic and international and including to Thailand, Singapore and Australia - had been delayed.

Major Australian airport closed as cyclone arrives

One of Australia's busiest airports has been closed for at least two days as the east coast of the country braces for Tropical Cyclone Alfred, described as a "once in 50 years event". 

Brisbane Airport's domestic and terminals international terminals were not accepting flights after Thursday afternoon (local time) but was to remain open for stranded passengers and essential airport workers who need shelter. 

An update from Qantas Group also stated Qantas and Jetstar flights would be suspended with international operations to stop running until at least midday on Saturday. 

The category two cyclone is expected to make landfall somewhere between the Sunshine Coast and Coolangatta late on Friday or early Saturday. 

The latest weather forecast suggests the cyclone will likely make landfall between Noosa and Coolangatta.

“If the system crosses at high tide, there is the risk of seeing storm surges up to 1.5 metres, particularly around the Redland bay area and the Gold Coast,” the Bureau of Meteorology’s Matthew Collopy told local media. 

"Heavy to locally intense rainfall is expected across Queensland’s south-east from later on Thursday until “at least Saturday”.

Up to 700 millimetres of rain is expected, with authorities telling everyone in the cyclone zone to “pray for the best but prepare for the worst”.

Schools and many businesses are closed and major sports events have been cancelled and many smaller airports shuttered. 

Regional wine pioneer to shut up shop

 

One of the pioneering wineries in the Central West of NSW is to close up after 30 years.

Margaret Wallington, who runs a 1000-acre organic farm outside Canowindra in the Central Ranges, has announced the closure of Wallington Wines.

"It is with great sadness that we announce that Wallington Wines is wrapping up," she said in a social media post and newsletter to customers.

"I have had to make the very difficult decision to sell the Wallington Farm and focus on my health and family," she said.

"I would like to thank everyone who has supported our family boutique winery since we planted the first vines in 1992.

"With the enormous growth of the Cowra wine region in the 1990s I enjoyed being a part of such an exciting time for the region and threw myself into driving our region forward.

"I have had enormous pride for the achievements especially within Canowindra."

The first Wallington wines were made by Iain Riggs in 1995 and 1996 before Murray Smith of Canobolas Smith Wines in Orange took over. Margaret has made her own wines in the one-site straw bale winery since 2000, and subsequently converted to organics and biodynamics.

" I felt that these practices would allow us to create more authentic and sustainable wines," she said. "I was passionate about working with the land to create more resilient ecosystems. This has been a core value of our winemaking at Wallington and values I am proud to have passed onto my children."

Wallington lost her husband Anthony in 2003 and has been a solo parent to four children.

One, daughter Nadja and her partner Steve Mobbs, joined Wallington several years ago and now run their own vineyard: ChaLou in Orange.

"So while it is the end of an era here at Wallington, I am excited to see what they will achieve and see the wines they will craft," Margaret said.

There is a closing down sale on right now at https://www.wallingtonwines.com.au/store Use the code WINEWALLY for 20% off.

Tetsuya's to close after 37 years

Superstar Tetsuya Wakuda is closing his eponymous Sydney eatery after 37 years.

The Sydney CBD eatery will shut at the end of July after a remarkable run of excellence under the man who helped change the way Australians eat.

I first tasted Tetsuya's cooking when he was at Ultimo's - remarkably that was four decades ago.

I've been fortunate enough to dine at his Rozelle and Kent Street locations on several occasions since - and the experience has always been outstanding.

The hugely influential Japanese-born chef had planned to move to a new location, but has now decided to shut up shop.

In a statement he said: “Our plans to relocate Tetsuya’s to a new site after it closes at the end of July have unfortunately not worked out and I have made the very difficult decision to permanently close the restaurant after 37 years of business.

“We have spent the last 18 months planning the move and the new restaurant so this was not an easy decision, but sometimes things just don’t go to plan.”

Guests should book now if they want to dine again with the man affectionately called Tets.

There are just 79 days until its final closure on July 31.

Here is a story I wrote about the great man a few years ago: 

https://www.gourmetontheroad.com/2015/03/how-one-man-helped-change-how-we-dine.html  

Mona Foma festival has breathed its last breath

In a huge blow to Tasmania, Tasmanians and the Tasmanian tourism industry, the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) has made the decision to close its summer festival.

After 16 years, Mona Foma - Mona’s Festival of Music and Art - has unleashed its mayhem in lutruwita/Tasmania for the final time.

The news was revealed in a press release in which Mona owner and founder David Walsh made the following statement:

‘At Mona Foma -Mofo - at the Peacock Theatre, we joined the Zen Circus, and Italian punk came to live, rent free, in my head.

"In 2023 Peaches turned us all on with her sexy songs, but the thing that turned me on the most was the sign language interpreter signing ‘peg’.

"Guy Ben-Ary in 2017, wiring living neurons to speakers and cajoling them to scream. Gotye playing the ondioline. Robin Fox’s beacons. David Byrne and Philip Glass. Wire and Cale. The Saints and St. Vincent. Dresden Dolls and Dan Deacon. Sun Ra and Neneh Cherry. Kate Miller-Heidke and Vieux Farka Touré.

"And the finches playing guitar. From Here to Ear. That was the first one, in 2009. We bought that work, but we’ve never shown it again. It was too much the first time.

"Mona Foma took us around the world. But it ends here. Maybe the end started at Covid. Maybe it’s because the last festival was a poorly attended artistic triumph. But those aren’t the reasons I killed it.

"I know that we live for experience but, more and more, I seek permanence, a symbolic immortality. At Mona, I’m building this big thing, hopefully it’ll be a good thing, but it’s a costly thing. I’m addicted to building, and my addiction got out of hand. Some things have to go before I’m too far gone.

"Mona Foma is one of those things. It’s been magical, but the spell has worn off. Only these words, from Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle, remain: ‘Live by the Foma that makes you brave and kind and healthy and happy.’

"Gratitude to all of you that came. And to those who didn’t, a silver lining: you’ll no longer suffer from FOMO for FOMA. And anyway, repetition is regimentation. And regimentation is ridiculous.

"Greatest gratitude to those who helped put it together. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me."

Sad.

Farewell to a one-time heavyweight charge card

Once upon a time there was a fourth global heavyweight credit/charge card.

There was Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club.

I had a Diners Club card for years. It had a certain caché, like an Amex Platinum card.

But Diners failed to keep pace with changing markets and became accepted in fewer and fewer shops and hotels.

I probably gave mine up 25 years ago,

Diners Club this week announced it is exiting the Australian market after almost 70 years.

A statement on the brand’s website says: “As of 15 April 2024, Diners Club will no longer offer Diners Club Business Cards issued in Australia.”

Full details at https://dinersclub.com.au/corporate.htm

It will continue to operate in other markets.

Members with Diners Club Rewards will have until July 30 to redeem or transfer their rewards balance, after which any unclaimed points will be forfeited, the website says.

River cruise specialist no longer afloat

The travel business may be bouncing back but there are still some victims of the pandemic coming to light.

River cruise specialist American Queen Voyages has just ceased operations, although the company's website is still live.

The business is up for sale and if that fails it will be wound up.

American Queen Voyages ceased all operations as of February 20 and all future voyages have been cancelled, TravelMarketReport.com said.

The news follows on the heels of several large travel agencies suspending sales of the company's cruises after repeated problems with commission payments and customer service issues.

The line conducted expedition cruises in Alaska and British Columbia, as well as river cruises on the Ohio, Mississippi and other rivers. It was represented by Journey Beyond in Australia. 

Travel Market Report first heard reports of the closure on Facebook and confirmed it by calling the main reservations number. 

When calling the main number, a message says: "American Queen Voyages has made the difficult decision to shut down and all future cruises have been cancelled. Guests and customers should expect to be fully refunded for cancelled cruises."

American Queen Voyages is owned by the Hornblower Group. Earlier this month AQV cancelled several sailings onboard the flagship American Queen, as well as the American Countess, claiming it needed time in dock to ensure the ships were ready to deliver the best possible experience.

Employees and crew were told the shut down was due to “unfortunate business circumstances and an inability to obtain sufficient capital at a commercially reasonable rate to continue operations.”

The company's flagship American Queen is the largest steamboat ever built

Hunter Valley favourite to close its doors

Thirteen years is a lifetime in the restaurant business. Many eateries open and close within a couple of years.

Emerson Rodriguez, who has been at the helm of Emerson's Restaurant at Adina in the Hunter Valley for 13 1/2 years, announced this week that he was shutting up shop.

When I visited a few weeks ago he confided in me that the industry has never been tougher and that finding staff in country areas is hard.

"It's not an easy decision but after working for over 20 years in the Hunter Valley and 13 1/2 as chef/owner of Emerson's Restaurant, I believe it is the right time to close the doors," he said on social media.

"What an amazing rollercoaster ride it's been."

Emerson started in the Hunter at Peppers Guest House and is a hugely popular local figure.

"First and foremost, I would like to say a massive thank you to past and present staff," he said. "Without your amazing hard work and dedication my dream would not have been possible.

"I would also like to thank Peter O'Meara (previous owner of Adina Vineyard) who originally approached me about coming to Adina, while Jeff and Aileen (current owners), have been so supportive throughout the years and the best landlords anyone could ask for."

The final day of trading will be Sunday, January 14 for breakfast and lunch, so there is still time for one more meal.

Emerson's is at 492 Lovedale Road, Lovedale, NSW. (02) 4930 7029.
www.emersonsrestaurant.com.au

Similan Islands off limits for almost six months

One of the most popular day trip destinations in Thailand will be off limits for six months from next week. 

The Similan Islands will be closed to the public from May 16.

Located in the Andaman Sea, just 120 km northwest of Phuket, the Similan Islands are particularly popular with snorkelers and photographers. The two main islands are Ko Miang and Ko Similan

The archipelago closes for the monsoon season - until October 15 in this case - to aid the restoration of its habitats.

Mu Ko Similan National Park has been attracting about 2,000 visitors daily.

It is a fairly remote chain of 11 islands that attracts a large number of live-aboard dive cruises.

It is also noted for unique rock formations and its delightful beaches.

The numbers of visitors to the islands have been strictly controlled for several years, completely closing down each monsoon season.

There are no permanent lodgings but visitors are allowed to camp on three of the islands.

Passengers stranded as British airline closes up with zero notice

British-based regional airline Flybe has gone out of business less than a year after it was relaunched.

The airline said it had cancelled all flights and "ceased trading".

There was no notice given to 2,500 customers who had been scheduled to take flighs on Saturday and around 75,000 passengers with bookings are potentially impacted, Travel Mole reported.

A company statement said most of the airlines 321 staff had been made redundant and it was reported that the airline is not helping customers to organise alternative flights.

The Civil Aviation Authority in the UK said other carriers would provide discounted "rescue fares" to flyers left stranded by the closure.

These include Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet and rail operators.

Ryanair was quick to jump in and extended an invitation to laid-off workers to apply for jobs.

The airline traces its history back to Jersey European Airways, which was set up in 1979 following the merger of Intra Airways and Jersey Air Services. The business was renamed British European in 2000 and Flybe in 2002.

Flybe first collapsed in 2020 at the start of the Covid pandemic but was acquired by an affiliate of US hedge fund Cyrus Capital.

The Birmingham-based airline sold tickets on 22 routes to 16 destinations including in France, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

Look out: there are Covidiots about

 

Some people just don't get it. 

Like the shop owners in Jindabyne who have been ordered to close for a week from today for serial Covid-19 safety breaches despite repeat visits from the New South Wales Police. 

NSW Police visited The Market a total of four times between June 29 and July 2, identifying breaches of staff and patrons not wearing face coverings; no signage relating to wearing face coverings or patron capacity; no QR code check-in outside or within the premises, and failure to produce a Covid-19 sign in register.

The café owners were arrested and charged on June 30 with not wear fitted face coverings in a retail business.

They were granted conditional bail however, when officers revisited the café on July 2, they found no face coverings being worn by members of the public, no QR code and no sign-in sheet.

 

The owners have been issued a total of $2000 in fines for Public Health Order breaches and a future court attendance notice for breach of bail conditions. 

SafeWork NSW director for Metro Compliance, Dimitri Argeres, said it is disappointing the seriousness of the issue isn’t getting through to some businesses. 

“A digital check-in process allows for effective contact tracing and is vital in the event a positive case visits the location,” Argeres said.

 

“This venue has consistently failed to maintain Covid safety standards and has not complied with its own Covid safety plan or the Public Health Orders designed to help reduce community transmission.

“After finding more breaches on the fourth visit, it was clear that the ongoing operation of the premises presented a clear and significant risk to public health and needed to be sent a strong message.

“Businesses need to be doing the right thing to keep their customers and the community safe. We can’t have some businesses complying and others doing the opposite, putting everyone at risk. Any business that repeatedly fails to comply with the Public Health Orders faces temporary closure”.  

The Market shop and café will be closed for seven days from today.