Third generation takes the reins in Mudgee

Jacob and Gina Stein this week officially took ownership of their family's Mudgee winery, continuing 49 years of family ownership and a wine industry history dating back to 1838. 

Robert Stein Wines - known for its high-quality rieslings - has seen the official transfer of ownership to the third-generation custodians. 

The couple, who have been instrumental in the business for over 17 years, now take full ownership of the winery, vineyard, and farm. 

Established in 1976 by Robert ‘Bob’ Stein, the winery is one of New South Wales’ few multi-generational, family-owned wine businesses. 

Upon Bob’s retirement, his son Andrew assumed the role of general manager. Andrew is now stepping down. 

Located nine kilometres north of Mudgee, the property spans 202 hectares and includes a 20-hectare vineyard featuring nine grape varieties, a working farm with livestock and crops, a modern winery, cellar door, restaurant, and the original family homestead.

“Generational succession in a family winery is never without complexity," says Jacob Stein. 

"It's a challenging time for the industry, and our family, including my siblings, wanted to ensure the legacy of our father and grandparents is protected. We are proud of our achievements and are looking forward to a bright future. 

“We’ve found a path forward that strengthens our connection to the Stein heritage and honours the traditions established by previous generations over our 187 years in Australia.”

Jacob, who took on the winemaking and winery operations in 2009 at just 25 years old, has experience in leading wine regions in Australia and Europe, including Rheinhessen and Rheingau in Germany. 

Robert Stein Wines can trace their winemaking history back to 1838, when the Macarthur family brought Johann Stein to Australia with the country’s first cuttings of rhine riesling. 

These vines flourished at Camden Park and, 138 years later, in 1976, Robert ‘Bob’ Stein purchased 75 acres in Mudgee and renewed the Stein passion for viticulture. 

Go west. Qantas unveils new international routes

Qantas is spreading its wings westward with an announcement that two new routes will join its international network, with flights from Perth to Auckland and Johannesburg set to take off from December 2025

The routes will unlock more connections for Australians across the airline’s international and domestic network which now spans more than 100 destinations around the world.

The new services add to the growth of Qantas’ western hub, adding over 155,000 seats in and out of Perth each year and is timely given the large number of South Africans and New Zealanders living in Western Australia. 

The flights have been made possible by funding allocated from the Federal Government to Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry to deliver additional border services at airports, Qantas said in a statement. 

The funding will enable Perth Airport to invest in additional staffing, equipment and facilities that increase border and biosecurity capacity and in turn allow the airport to host more international flights.

“We’re so excited to be launching two new international routes, unlocking more options and greater choice for all Australians to connect to the world through our growing network," said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace:

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“By connecting Perth directly with Auckland and Johannesburg, we’re supporting the local economy by opening valuable inbound tourism opportunities for Western Australia, as well as generating new jobs for the state. These routes also enable further growth throughout Australia with connections across our domestic network.

“Our new Perth to Auckland route offers a convenient one-stop connection for West Australians to New York via Auckland on our popular QF3 service while the new direct flight to Johannesburg provides a vital connection for customers in Perth to visit popular cities like Cape Town through our partnership with Airlink."

Perth Airport Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer Kate Holsgrove said: “The launch of two new Qantas international services to Perth is great news for Western Australia.

“Perth is a dynamic, expanding hub with incredible growth opportunities and we remain focused on working with our airline partners to grow aviation connectivity to create more opportunities for Western Australia’s tourism industry and provide more options for Western Australians to travel."

Both routes will operate three times per week on a Qantas A330 aircraft with 27 business class seats in 1-2-1 configuration, each featuring direct aisle access and converting into a lie-flat bed, and 224 economy seats.

Tough times for global wine and spirits giant

Times are tough in the drinks business right around the world. 

Global wine and spirits giant Moët Hennessy will cut more than 10% of its global workforce as part of a major restructuring effort in a bid to counter falling demand and rising costs, the Financial Times reported in London..

The newspaper says the wine and spirits arm of luxury giant LVMH currently employs around 9,400 people. Chief executive Jean-Jacques Guiony told staff earlier this month that an estimated 1,200 roles would be eliminated, bringing the division back to its 2019 staffing levels.

Revenues at Paris-based Moët Hennessy have fallen to 2019 levels, Guiony said, yet operating costs have jumped 35% over the same period. 

“This was an organisation that was built for a much larger size of business,” he said in an internal video. 

“People realise … that this [rebuilding sales] is not going to happen anytime soon.”

The cuts will largely be achieved through natural attrition and by reassigning staff to other areas of the business. Moët Hennessy has already implemented a hiring freeze. 

Deputy CEO Alexandre Arnault, who joined the division alongside Guiony in February, told staff that this crisis was unusual in scope. 

“Usually at LVMH when wines and spirits are not going well, fashion is doing well or some [other part of the business] is performing differently. Right now things are not going extremely well,” he said.

In a statement, a Moët Hennessy spokesperson confirmed the planned cuts. 

“While Moët Hennessy’s business has returned to its 2019 level, Moët Hennessy announced its intention to adjust its organisation and gradually return to its 2019 staffing levels, primarily by managing its natural turnover and not filling vacant positions,” it said.

Guiony reassured staff that the current downturn was part of a cycle. 

“Things are bad but they will become better,” he said, though he warned that US tariffs added another layer of uncertainty to the company’s outlook.

The company's wine and spirit brands include Krug, Hennessy, Dom Perignon, Moët et Chandon, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Ardbeg, Belvedere Vodka, Chateau d'Yquem, Ruinart and Cloudy Bay and Glenmorangie.

Hyde hotel brand makes its Australian debut

Does Australia need another new hotel brand? Probably not.

But we've got one anyway, with Ennismore launching its Hyde brand in Melbourne.

Hyde Melbourne Place is in the heart of Melbourne's CBD with the property formerly known as simply Melbourne Place marking the Hyde brand's debut in Australia.

Hyde has presence in locations including Miami, Dubai, London, and Johannesburg and is billed as offering "lifestyle hospitality".

Hyde Melbourne Place joins Ennismore's trio of flagship soon-to-be openings in Australia this year - Hyde Perth, Mondrian Gold Coast, and 25hours Hotel Sydney The Olympia.

“Melbourne's creative spirit, bold energy, and cultural richness make it the perfect setting for Hyde's Australian debut," said Jodi Brown, newly appointed general manager of Hyde Melbourne Place.

"With its bohemian aesthetic, playful spirit, and deep roots in music and design, Hyde Melbourne Place will offer guests more than just a stay: it will be a full sensory experience.

"We can't wait to reveal what's coming, including vibrant spaces, live music moments, and design that truly speaks to the heart of Melbourne's artistic community.”

Hyde Melbourne Place is at 130 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000. See https://all.accor.com/hotel/C4B0/index.en.shtml

Ennismore is a global collective founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Sharan Pasricha. 

Ennismore and Accor entered a joint venture in 2021.

A gastronomic stroll through rural France

Calling all wine and food lovers who also enjoy getting some exercise.

The folks from UTracks recently sent me the details of what they call a Gastronomic Pilgrimage Through France.

UTracks, describe themselves as :active Europe travel specialists' and have launched a Camino Le Puy Food Lovers Tour, a culinary/vinous twist on France’s historic Le Puy/Santiago Camino route.

The tour is described as "tailor-made those who seek the perfect pairing of food, wine and walking" through the rustic heart of rural France. It covers regions that really are off the beaten track. 

The walk blends a centuries-old pilgrimage with the indulgent pleasures of French regional cuisine. Sounds right up my alley!

Over eight delicious days, travellers walk from Le Puy-en-Velay to Aumont-Aubrac, through volcanic highlands, forested trails and sleepy villages, stopping to sample Auvergne cheeses, locally farmed lentils, artisan charcuterie, and local wines, including the star malbecs from Cahors. 

Aubrac produces some of the best beef in France and guided tastings and daily three-course regional dinners are a highlight.

“We wanted to create a Camino experience that speaks to the food lover’s soul,” says UTracks general manager Kate Baker.

“This is for travellers who enjoy walking for the pleasure of discovering what’s around the next bend, and what’s on the next plate.”

With luggage transfers, local accommodation, and a route navigation app provided, the trip offers something just a little bit different.

Departures run from May to October. See more here: https://www.utracks.com/France/Guided-Walking/French-Food-Lovers-Le-Puy-Camino

Why there will be no control tower at Sydney's new airport

The new Western Sydney International Airport will be lacking a key ingredient when it opens next year.

It will not have a traditional air traffic control tower on site.

Airspace controllers will instead be stationed at a data centre almost 20km from where the planes are landing.

Instead of a control tower with visual controllers, there will be a 45-metre mast fitted with 20 high-definition cameras beaming live feeds back to the data centre.

The data centre will use artificial intelligence (hmm) to overlay information using live feeds.

The system will also utilise object tracking, infrared cameras, night vision and image enhancement to allow controllers to see beyond the limitations of the human eye.

Should something go wrong - maybe a cyberattack or power outage, approach controllers based at Sydney Airport will take over.

Except Sydney Airport shuts down overnight and Western Sydney is supposed to be a 24-hour operation. That could be problematic.

Critics say this is a case of saving money by using AI technology instead of paying someone a wage.

A similar system is used at London City Airport, where planes are guided by air traffic controllers based 115km away in the NATS control centre at Swanwick in Hampshire.

There are also three digital airfields in Germany, plus others in Argentina, Brazil, Hungary and Norway, but this is the first in Australia.

The new WSI airport will not have a night-time curfew.

It is officially known as Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird Walton) Airport; named in honour of Nancy Bird Walton, the youngest Australian woman to gain a pilot's licence.

Singapore Airlnes, Qantas and Jetstar are among the airlines to have committed to using the new facility.

So moral of the story is we want to save $$$ by putting in AI technology instead of paying someone a living wage