Coonawarra kicks off a month-long wine party

 

The entire month of October is a time of celebration in the Coonawarra wine region.

October sees the return of the Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations - a month-long festival dedicated to showcasing and celebrating Coonawarra’s renowned flagship variety cabernet sauvignon.

Running until October 31, the festival features more than 50 events hosted by wineries and cellar doors across the region. 

From intimate tasting experiences to family-friendly activities, live music, and indulgent long lunches, this year’s program is truly diverse.

“Eventgoers can expect a diverse and dynamic program ranging from family-friendly entertainment to indulgent fine-wine experiences," says Heidi Guyett, Coonawarra Vignerons Events and Marketing Officer. 

"From hands-on workshops and high-end dinners, to relaxed family days on the lawn, the celebrations are about more than just wine - they’re about community, discovery and connection. 

"The event draws visitors from across the country who come to explore the wines, the people and the places that make Coonawarra unique.” 

Among the events to feature in this year’s program is Raidis Estate’s Murder in the Vines – Mystery Dinner, blending theatrical fun with the history of Coonawarra. and the Woof & Wine Walk, combining activities for mans best friend and wine lovers alike.

“Aside from tasting the exquisite wines of the region, visitors will have the opportunity to dine and 
meet with winemakers, viticulturists and boutique winery owners, go behind the scenes in the winery and even sample wines that are yet to be officially released, all the while learning about the process and the passion that goes into Coonawarra’s famed wines,” Guyett said.

The festivities will open in with the ever-popular Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations Golf Day on October 3.

The Labour Day long weekend that follows sets the scene for a family fiesta, with live music, wood-
fired pizzas, outdoor cinema, lawn games and country hospitality. 

At Zema Estate, Mrs Zema’s homemade pizzas are on the menu served up with live tunes, while Hollick Estate will transform its vineyard into an open-air cinema, screening the Broadway hit Wicked under the stars.

Check out the festival page on the Coonawarra.org website. 

Light festival transforms Chinese capital

Visitors to Beijing throughout October can enjoy "Together! We Shine!", the theme of the 2025 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival.

The festival blends modern technology, art, and culture to present a dazzling spectacle for both local residents and global visitors.

This year's festival again welcomes internationally renowned director Richard Taylor from New Zealnd and international light art teams, including a Singaporean team, to collaborate on creative design.

Partnering with the China Urban Sculpture Artists Association and China's top eight art academies, the event is showcasing nearly 60 large-scale light and sculpture installations during the festival.

The festival's main venue transforms the Liangma River, its banks, and the adjacent Chaoyang Park into "a luminous wonderland".

Visitors can discover interactive aquatic performances featuring technologically advanced installations like the Blue Whale and Pegasus - mechanical creatures that "swim" across the river.

Other highlights include the BBC Earth Live Symphony Concert, the UK animated family show Shaun the Sheep, and Yin Ge by the Hong Kong Cinema Classics Symphony Concert.

The renovated Shell Theater at Chaoyang Park, Beijing's first outdoor water-based performance space, will officially open to the public during the festival.

Nearby, the floating "Cube" stage on North Lake will create "a dreamlike fusion" with Beijing's iconic skyline.

Over 100 performances will also be presented in collaboration with the 2025 Liangma River Art Season, featuring domestic and international artists.

MasterChef winner signs as a culinary ambassador

 

Nat Thaipun, chef and winner of MasterChef Australia 2024, has a new culinary partnership with luxury brand Pullman Hotels and Resorts.

Thaipun has been named as food and beverage ambassador for Pullman hotel properties in Australia, New Zealand and across Asia and will bring her talents to a series of dining experiences throughout the region.

Pullman has a portfolio of 52 hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, including Pullman Melbourne on the Park; Te Arikinui Pullman Auckland Airport; Pullman Bangkok King Power; Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach; Pullman Singapore Hill Street; and Pullman Singapore Orchard. 

From early 2026, guests will be invited to experience pop-ups, restaurant takeovers, and a curated selection of Nat’s signature creations at Pullman addresses across the region. 

Among the highlights will be her reimagined satay skewers, featuring a macadamia satay and ash made from leek, onion or garlic skin, accompanied by pickles. 

Members of ALL Accor, the Group’s lifestyle loyalty programme, will enjoy access to behind-the-scenes encounters with the chef, from intimate chef’s table dinners to immersive cooking workshops.

“Nat Thaipun brings an inspiring mix of creativity, authenticity, and modern flair that perfectly complements Pullman’s bold approach to food and beverage,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer for Accor in the Pacific.

“Her ability to draw from her Thai heritage and international experiences to create dishes that surprise and connect aligns seamlessly with Pullman’s ethos. We are thrilled to introduce her talent to our guests across the Pacific and Asia.”

An Australian-born Thai woman, the chef grew up on the outskirts of Melbourne and is inspired by the vibrant street food of Thailand and the culinary traditions passed down by her mother and late grandmother. 

She has trained in acclaimed kitchens such as St. John and Core in London, staged pop-ups at Baba’s Place in Sydney and EVETT in Seoul, and is currently part of the award-winning Vue de Monde team in Melbourne.

She also hosts For Now, a YouTube food travel series, and her first cookbook Thai, Anywhere and Everywhere (Hardie Grant) will be released internationally this month. 

“For me, cooking has always been inspired by my curiosity. Every ingredient and every dish can tell a new story," she says. 

"It’s about evoking feelings. Partnering with Pullman gives me the perfect canvas to create something exciting in a space that reflects authentic hospitality. There’s nothing I love more than immersing myself in the food and hospitality of a region, and I can’t wait to share that joy with guests.”

For more info about Pullman Hotels & Resorts and Nat Thaipun’s culinary partnership with Pullman, see https://pullman.accor.com/en/pullman-offers/apac-nat-thaipun.html

Mountain roads, fine wines: epicurean escapes by car

Few experiences rival the allure of winding mountain roads, sunlit vineyards, and the anticipation of a fine glass of wine at journey’s end, writes Ivy Carter in her sponsored debut post for GoTR.

For those who seek both adventure and indulgence, a road trip through wine country offers a harmonious blend of breath-taking landscapes, refined flavours, and moments of quiet wonder.

Each mountain curve reveals not only a new vista but also fresh scents and flavours, reminding travellers that the path itself is as rewarding as the destination.

The Allure of Mountain Road Travel

Mountain roads, unlike fast-moving highways, insist that you slow your pace.

Each bend becomes an invitation to pause, to immerse yourself in pine-scented breezes, jagged cliffs, and sweeping valleys.

For the wine traveller, these meandering routes heighten anticipation, every curve drawing you nearer to a hidden vineyard cradled within the hills.

Even the smallest details can xenhance the journey. The subtle fragrance of a wood car freshener, mingling with crisp mountain air, lends the ride a quiet elegance, a sensory overture to the refined pleasures waiting at the road’s end.

Wine Regions Worth the Drive

An exceptional road trip deserves an equally remarkable destination. Across the world, mountain wine regions weave together elevation, terroir, and centuries of tradition, producing vintages with unmistakable character.

The following destinations stand among the most rewarding journeys for the epicurean traveller.

Napa Valley, California

Renowned as the crown jewel of American viticulture, Napa Valley’s winding roads unfurl between sunlit hills and vine-covered slopes. Along the way, travellers may pause at intimate, family-run estates or explore the grandeur of world-famous producers. With more than 400 wineries, Napa is a destination best savoured slowly - its beauty unfolding in equal measure on the road and in the tasting glass.

Mendoza, Argentina

At the foot of the Andes, Mendoza’s mountain roads seem to open directly onto paradise. Snow-dusted peaks tower above endless rows of malbec vines, a striking contrast that defines the region’s beauty. Elevation and climate conspire here to yield bold, expressive wines that mirror the rugged spirit of their birthplace. To drive through Mendoza is to trace the edge of the world, where each sip draws you deeper into the richness of the land.

Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany’s undulating hills and timeworn villages seem destined for leisurely drives. Vineyards sprawl across the landscape, often intertwined with olive groves and cypress-lined lanes. Nowhere is this more enchanting than in Chianti, where every turn reveals a vista worthy of a Renaissance canvas. Paired with rustic Tuscan wines and robust regional fare, the journey becomes an epicurean escape destined to linger in memory.

Pairing the Journey with Culinary Delights

Local Food Along the Road

No wine journey is complete without the flavours that accompany it. Along mountain roads, travellers encounter towns where culinary traditions flourish, each dish telling the story of its land. Imagine savouring wood-fired pizza in a Tuscan piazza, pairing malbec with empanadas in Mendoza, or sampling artisanal cheeses beside Napa’s bold cabernet sauvignons. These encounters nourish both body and spirit, elevating the road trip into a feast for the senses.

Picnics in Scenic Spots

Part of the magic of mountain travel lies in the freedom to pause wherever beauty beckons. A picnic basket filled with local bread, cured meats, and a carefully chosen bottle transforms any overlook into a private banquet. As the sun dips low, casting golden light over vineyards and peaks, these quiet meals become among the most cherished memories of the road.



The Sensory Experience of Epicurean Travel

An epicurean escape by car transcends the act of tasting wine; it awakens all five senses, weaving them together into an experience as immersive as it is unforgettable.

Sight

Rolling vineyards, snow-clad summits, and serpentine roads compose a living masterpiece. Through every glance at the windshield, the journey reveals a new tableau - a landscape painted in motion.

Sound

The low hum of the engine merges with nature’s chorus: rustling leaves, rushing streams, and the distant call of birds. With the windows down, the car itself becomes an instrument in the mountain’s symphony.

Smell

The fragrance of ripening grapes, rich soil, and fresh herbs rises from the vineyards, blending with the crisp purity of mountain air. These aromas linger, heightening the anticipation of the wines that await.

Taste

Each glass reflects its origin - the soil, the climate, and the care of those who nurtured it. Paired with regional cuisine, these flavors anchor the traveller to the land, creating a connection that endures long after the final sip.

Touch

The journey resonates even in touch: the firm grip on the steering wheel around a sharp bend, the texture of vineyard soil between your fingers, the cool weight of a wine bottle cradled in hand. Every tactile moment grounds the experience in reality.

Tips for Planning an Epicurean Escape by Car

Choose the Right Vehicle

Comfort and capability are essential on mountain roads. Select a vehicle with responsive handling and ample space for your wine finds. For those who crave openness, a convertible invites both fresh air and unbroken views.

Plan Winery Visits Strategically

Many esteemed wineries, particularly in regions such as Napa or Tuscany, require advance reservations. Map your itinerary thoughtfully, but leave space for serendipitous detours. Often the most memorable stops are those unplanned.

Stay Safe and Balanced

Wine and winding roads demand moderation. Designate a driver, make use of tasting spittoons, or secure nearby accommodation before continuing. Safety preserves both the joy of the trip and the memories it creates.

Capture the Moments

Carrying a camera or keeping a journal, sunrise over the Andes or twilight in Napa deserves to be remembered. Beyond images, personal notes on wines, meals, and reflections transform the journey into a narrative you can revisit for years to come.

Images: Tanya Nedelcheva on Unsplash (top) and Daniel Vogel on Unsplash

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.

New Tolpuddle releases reflect a special site

 

It is now almost 15 years since Shaw+Smith co-owners Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW visited Tasmania and purchased a vineyard on a whim. 

The Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley was planted with chardonnay and pinot noir clones best suited to making sparkling wines. 

But Shaw and Hill-Smith had very different plans, Their vision was to create one of the best single vineyard sites in the country, producing world-class table wines. 

After some re-planting, new clones and a decade and a half of work on the vines, Tolpuddle has established a global reputation for excellence. Mission accomplished. 

"There was never any great plan to buy in Tasmania," the duo says. We were simply blown away by some of the wines from this vineyard that we had tasted from barrel, then fell in love with the site when we visited. Both serendipitous and spontaneous.

"We believed, and still do, that it is a special site with potential to produce wines of outstanding personality and quality."  

The 2024 Tolpuddle Chardonnay and 2024 Tolpuddle Pinot Noir were launched this week at the award-winning tasting room surrounded by the vineyard. CD manager Pip Anderson did a great job of overseeing the tasting and lunch.

The wines hit the market this morning and are sure to be in high demand following international wine show successes for the 2023 releases. 

"We think this already one of the great single sites," Shaw told guests who were lucky enough to taste five previous vintages of each variety: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 - which illustrated just how gracefully both wines age. "A lot has changed over the last 15 years."

The new releases are super impressive - and very food friendly - and you can read full reviews at www.tasmanianwineonline.blogspot.com this weekend.