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.   

Relaxed vibe makes TRIBE a hotel success story

Hotel chains with a design element and more relaxed, upmarket hostel-style vibe are all the rage right now.

Mama Shelter was one of the innovators, followed by Moxy, and TRIBE is proving a success for global giant Accor.

TRIBE has just reached 20 hotels around the globe with "contemporary living, offering spaces that are smart, stylish, and encourage social interaction".

Created in Australia in 2017 by Mark and Melissa Peters, there are currently over 40 TRIBE hotels currently under development, including TRIBE Auckland Fort Street (above), which will open in the second quarter of 2025.

“Reaching 20 TRIBE hotels is just the beginning of our journey to redefine modern hospitality,” said Jean-Yves Minet, global brand president, midscale and economy at Accor.

“TRIBE hotels are design-led spaces that are smart, stylish and comfortable, providing everything that guests need and nothing they don't.

"Our designers focus on the things that really matter, creating vibrant and functional places to work, play, or relax, all at a great price. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on delivering innovative experiences, ensuring that TRIBE continues to embody contemporary living for modern travellers around the world.”

Called "the lifestyle segment" this hotel style with shared public spaces is increasingly popular.

“Accor recognised the growing demand for lifestyle-based hospitality and TRIBE more than delivers on this, providing investors and owners an appealing and modern offering for hotel development,” said Camil Yazbeck, global chief development officer, premium, midscale and economy division, for Accor.

“By blending local vibrancy with strong design credentials, TRIBE has carved out a distinctive space that attracts both travellers and locals seeking social experiences and stylish design."

Some of TRIBE's locations are unusual, from Medellin, Colombia, to the vibrant but previously unfashionable Clichy in Paris.

Get to the bottom of your sleep disorders in luxury surroundings

Have you ever felt strangely sluggish over a prolonged period of time?

Are you constantly nodding off for a second, or falling asleep at inappropriate moments?

A lot of people with sleep disorders (I used to be one of them) are unaware of their issues - as well as possible solutions to them.

The Australian Institute of Health says getting too much, or too little, sleep is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, obesity, and death.

And nearly half of Australian adults have reported at least two sleep problems.

Chiva-Som, a pioneering international health and wellness resort since 1995, has recently introduced its Sleep Enhancement Specialisation, which includes two advanced sleep tests.

Guests at the resort in Hua Hin, Thailand, can sign up for a sleep hormone test that looks specifically at the melatonin and cortisol hormone levels at four key points throughout the day to assess any potential imbalances that may be affect sleep, or for sleep apnea screening, which takes place in the comfort of the guest’s room and focuses on several physiological parameters during sleep, including airflow, oxygen saturation, heart rate and brain activity.

After I underwent sleep apnea screening here in Australia, it was discovered that I needed to be on a CPAP machine every night to resolve my loud snoring and multiple sleep issues.

The tests are intended to provide comprehensive evaluations of sleep patterns to identify any disorders.

From the results, a personalised program can be developed including nutrition consultations and supportive wellness treatments to improve sleep quality.

Chiva-Som has a variety of in-room sleep support measures such as blackout curtains, chamomile and lavender teas, essential oils and mist diffusers to help create a soothing environment.

Supportive wellness treatments to help with sleep include Seiketsu Shiraku Acupuncture, Mien Acupressure, Soothing Back Brush, Signature Herbal Massage and Jet Lag Therapy.

There is a video here: https://www.instagram.com/chivasomhuahin/reel/C9ADfiWRVmV/

Discover some of the best gourmet experiences in Tasmania

Long-time favourite The Agrarian Kitchen offers some of the best gourmet experiences in Tasmania.

Rodney Dunn and Severine Demanet now offer weekly cooking, gardening and lifestyle classes at their base in New Norfolk - under an hour from Hobart.

A one-acre walled garden has been established on-site allowing cooking class guests to forage for the ingredients that they will use in the class. Full day classes will commence from $440 per person with a maximum 12 guests per class.

These courses include a guided garden tour, hands-on cooking experience and a three-course lunch matched with Tasmanian wine.

The menu is crafted from the best of the garden that day, while the masterclasses are for those looking for specific knowledge -from learning the butchery elements of how to breakdown a carcass, to making your own cheese, bread, charcuterie or pastry.

A whole range of classes and specific skill-based workshops are also available, from grafting fruit trees and propagation, to protected growing and composting.

The Agrarian Kitchen began back in 2008 when Dunn and Demanet opened The Agrarian Kitchen Cooking School and Farm within their home in The Old Schoolhouse in Lachlan.

They later took over the Bronte building in nearby New Norfolk’s Willow Court - the town’s old mental asylum. The Agrarian Kitchen restaurant was born in June 2017, followed by the more casual The Kiosk.

For full details visit https://www.theagrariankitchen.com

So you think you could organise a piss up in a brewery?

 

So you've always dreamed of owning and operating a craft brewery?

How about one on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula with a proven track record over two decades?

The Red Hill Brewery, one of Australia's pioneering small brewers, was this week placed on the market by Karen and Dave Golding, who have operated the business for 22 years.

Red Hill Brewery has a local focus with a relaxed environment where visitors enjoy good beer and food.

“As our family have grown up, and our business matured, we are looking toward our future and think after all this time we have a few more goals in our lives to look forward to," the Goldings said on LinkedIn.

"Hopefully, a semi-retirement and travelling is on the cards for our future!

“We are proud of the business we have created and hope to be able to find new owners that will be passionate custodians of the craft of great beer and to be part of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula community and environment.”

The sale of the property and business is being handled by Kay & Burton.
https://lnkd.in/gU3K6dR2

Alcohol-free, carbon neutral, achingly hip

There is no stopping the bizarrely popular low-alcohol and no-alcohol drinks movement. 

With consumption of non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks projected to increase 31% by 2024, more and more projects are hitting the market. 

The trouble is that many of these products just don't taste right. My motto is moderation, rather than deprivation. 

. 

I'd rather limit myself to one beer or glass of wine than spend an evening drinking something that tastes a little bit like wine or beer. 

Canberra-based independent craft brewery Capital Brewing Co. is the latest on the already overflowing bandwagon, introducing its first "full flavoured non-alcoholic beer".  

ALC-LESS is being billed as the only carbon neutral non-alcoholic beer in Australia.

ALC-LESS is a tropical Pacific Ale that does taste quite like a real beer - and paired well with some salty pork crackling. 

“As more and more of our customers’ lifestyles are changing to become more focused on health and wellbeing, they can’t afford to be hungover but still want to kick back at the end of the day with a good tastingbrew," says co-founder Tom Hertel. 

"We’re excited to be adding an alcohol-free option to our range at a time when we, as founders, are also becoming more health aware and find ourselves leaning ever more to the low/non alcoholic options."

Fellow founder Laurence Kain says: "We have been working on non-alcoholic beer for over two years. 

"As a team we are pretty proud of the end result." 

See www.capitalbrewing.co