NRMA commits to sustainable future for Tasmanian icon

I have serious love affair with Pumphouse Point, the iconic retreat on Lake St Clair in Tasmania.

In addition to staying there three or four times, I also consulted to former owner Simon Currant on the 90% Tasmanian wine list.

This week Currant completed the sale of Pumphouse Point to NRMA - a deal which we had known about for months - and which almost certainly means my services will no longer be required.

The resort, which controversially operates on land subject to a Crown lease, is the latest addition to NRMA’s growing portfolio in Tasmania.

Pumphouse Point features two heritage industrial buildings which have been transformed against the tranquil backdrop of Lake St Clair.

NRMA Expeditions CEO Rachel Wiseman said the acquisition of the business provides another opportunity for the organisation to showcase Tasmania’s exceptional natural environment and the best regional Australia has to offer.

“Tasmania is abundant in natural beauty and we’re excited to share another unique location in Tasmania with our Members and the community, and continue to work with local partners to promote the state and its amazing eco-tourism experiences,” Wiseman said.

“Nature-based tourism experiences are in high demand. We need exceptional accommodation that delivers amazing experiences in remote locations.

“These are precious places that have significant meaning to our biodiversity and local communities. We recognise the role we must play as the caretaker of these places to make sure they are able to be enjoyed in a sustainable way.

“The acquisition of the Pumphouse Point business demonstrates the NRMA’s ongoing commitment to the Tasmanian tourism industry, and our confidence in the state to continually deliver immersive nature-based experiences for guests.”

Other properties in the NRMA portfolio in Tasmania include Freycinet Lodge (where they do a superb job), Cradle Mountain Hotel, Strahan Village and Gordon River Cruises.

The Messi Burger is getting even louder

The very loud Hard Rock Cafe fast-food chain has enjoyed success with its partnership with renowned Paris St Germain and Argentina soccer star Lionel Messi.

Earlier this year, the Hard Rock chain released a Messi Burger.

It obviously sold well, because it is now releasing a new Champion's Edition burger - and a massive swag of Messi/Hard Rock memorabilia and leisurewear.

The Champion's Edition now features three complimentary dipping sauces: aioli, Latin chili and "Messi's favourite" chimichurri.

"It is an honour to continue our partnership with world-renowned soccer star Lionel Messi, and take the Live Greatness campaign to the next level with the Messi Burger Champion's Edition," says hugely enthusiastic Anibal Fernandez, senior vice president of Cafe Division, Hard Rock International (great job title Anibal!).

"We couldn't be more excited to help Hard Rock and Messi fans get in on the action and they are going to love the new sauces, each of which complements the Messi Burger in its own unique way."

The Messi Burger launched in March 2022 featuring a double stack of beef patties, toppings including provolone cheese, sliced chorizo, caramelized red onion and sauce served on a toasted brioche bun with shredded romaine lettuce and vine-ripened tomato.

Plus, just in time for the World Cup (a brilliant money making opportunity for everyone) the brand is releasing a new retail collection including hoodies, baseball caps and T-Shirts available for purchase at Hard Rock Cafe locations worldwide.

All merchandise from the collaboration between Hard Rock and Lionel Messi is available in stores and online.

Meet the Australian wine industry's faces of the future

Fifteen Australian grape and wine sector professionals this week graduated from intensive five-month leadership development program Future Leaders. 

The program was aimed to equip the students with new skills to enhance their contribution to the wine community. 

Future Leaders is co-ordinated and funded by Wine Australia and supported by Australian Grape & Wine. The new graduates join more than 100 alumni of the program, which launched in 2006.

Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Dr Martin Cole said effective and well-trained leaders are an invaluable asset across all areas of the Australian grape and wine sector.

“Both Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia continue to value the way in which the Future Leaders program fosters agile and resilient leadership behaviours. It supports and celebrates the diversity of thought from the emerging leaders across our sector,” he said.

“One of the strengths of our sector is its people, and I am delighted that Future Leaders has nurtured the enthusiasm of this talented group of people who are willing to contribute solutions to the challenges facing our community and make a difference for everyone.”

Australian Grape & Wine Chief Executive Officer Lee McLean underlined Australian Grape & Wine’s support of the Future Leaders program, saying “the calibre of graduates from this program is truly impressive and fills me with confidence about the future of our sector.”

The Future Leaders were tasked with formulating innovative responses to the grape and wine sector’s challenges. 

These "thought leadership" pieces have been compiled into a book that was launched at their graduation and incorporates topics for how the sector should respond to climate change, long-term sustainability, marketing, exports, business structures and market diversification as well as ensuring the sector’s greatest asset - its people - are supported.

Emily Hay, a marketing and communications professional at Barossa Australia, said: “It's hard to adequately describe the transformational power of the Future Leaders program. No 'paint by numbers' here, it's raw and real, taking you beyond the standard rhetoric and tactics to tap into leadership in your own way. With the confidence and strength this has unlocked in us all, we'll successfully navigate the turbulent times our sector continues to face.”

Steve Faulkner, senior viticulturist at Oakridge Wines said: “The learning and real-life application of that learning has been invaluable. I recommend applying for Future Leaders, just do it. Personal development and leadership skills for life lie ahead if you are successful.”

The Future Leaders 2022 are: Aaron Mercer, Mercer Wines; Amanda Whiteland, Margaret River Wine Association; Briony Hoare, Beach Road Wines; Daniel McDonald, The Cutting & Pernod Ricard Winemakers; Emily Hay, Barossa Australia; Ewan Proctor, Vivino; Jean Macintyre, Pernod Ricard Winemakers; Josh Hixson, Australian Wine Research Institute; Kate Sturgess, Brokenwood Wines; Katherine Herd, Domaine Chandon; Lauren Hansen, Penley Estate; Mavis Zhang, Wine Network Consulting; Richard Burch, Howard Park Wines; Steven Faulkner, Oakridge Wines and Zoe Downer, Counter Space. 

Applications to join the next Future Leaders program will open at the end of January 2023.

Saints alive! St.Regis to land on the Gold Coast

Australia is to get its first hotel that is part of the ritzy St. Regis brand - but not until 2027.

Marriott International has signed a management agreement with property development company Gurner to bring the St. Regis brand to the Gold Coast.

“This signing of The St. Regis Gold Coast Resort in Australia is momentous for Marriott International, and a wonderful advancement for the destination," said said Richard Crawford, vice president Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific for Marriott International.

"The St. Regis brand promises a vanguard spirit (wow!) steeped in history and tradition, and is synonymous with global luxury. We appreciate Gurner Group’s confidence in selecting St. Regis as the centrepiece of its world-class mixed-use development.

"Their well-earned reputation for excellence and vision for the Gold Coast aligns exceptionally well with the very high standards we set for every St. Regis hotel around the world and we look forward to bringing to life an iteration of the brand that is modern, aspirational, and befits the lifestyle and energy of the Gold Coast.”

So Mr Crawford is impressed then.

The hotel is set to be part of the first tower in the $1.7 billion La Pelago project - a lifestyle resort and destination within the Budds Beach precinct.

La Pelago will feature 12,000 square meters of lifestyle amenities including luxury residential residences, The St. Regis Gold Coast Resort (render above), and hospitality and retail facilities.

The new-build resort is anticipated to feature around 185 guest rooms and suites that will offer either ocean or hinterland views.

The St. Regis Gold Coast Resort will be the fourth Marriott International property on the Gold Coast when it opens, adding to the company’s existing Queensland portfolio of the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort and Spa, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast, W Brisbane, Brisbane Marriott Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane, The Westin Brisbane, Courtyard by Marriott South Bank Brisbane, and The Ritz-Carlton, Gold Coast, which is expected to open in 2026.

Marriott International currently operates 39 hotels across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, with 26 hotels in Australia.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has 49 luxury hotels and resorts around the world. The first St. Regis hotel opened in New York City over a century ago.

Wine industry cheered by thaw in Australia-China relations

The Australian wine industry is hoping for a breakthrough in the trade stalemate with China that has seen exports slump.

Wine industry leaders hope the recent meeting between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese leaders could eventually lead to a lifting of tariffs, which are costing the sector more than a billion dollars a year.

Australia and China took the first step towards repairing their diplomatic relationship following a "constructive" meeting between Albanese and Xi Jinping on the side line of the G20 summit in Bali earlier this week.

The new chief executive of Australian Grape & Wine, the national association for wine grape and wine producers, Lee McLean, described the meeting as "very positive", but warned producers there was "a long way to go", Australian Associated Press reported.

"Dialogue is great and we hope this sets the right conditions for further dialogue ... opening opportunities to resolve the import duties issue," he told AAP.

McLean said producers shouldn't expect an immediate removal of import duties as a result of an initial meeting.

"This is probably the start of the process," he said.

China's $20 billion worth of trade sanctions on Australia were discussed at the meeting between the two leaders.

Chinese tariffs on Australian wine exports of up to 218% were introduced in March 2021, and have made it unviable for most producers to sell into the growing Chinese market and its fast rising middle class.

Sales have since dropped in the Chinese market by 98%.

China had previously been the Australian wine industry's largest export market by value.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt described the meeting between the nation's leaders as "significant" to the wine industry, and said he had talked with Albanese following the meeting.

"This is a very positive step - the first such meeting between the two countries' leaders since 2016," he told an audience of wine industry representatives in Adelaide. "There can be no doubt that our new government's renewed mature engagement in the Asia-Pacific is beginning to repair relationships damaged by the previous government."

Photo by Giorgia Frare on Scopio

Aussie Formula One ace speeds into affordable wine space

Australian Formula One racer Daniel Ricciardo has teamed up with Australian winery St Hugo to craft the new Ric Red wine.

Ricciardo describes Ric Red as a ‘Secret Sauce’ - an approachable red blend ready to be enjoyed whenever and wherever.

Ricciardo said he wanted to create a delicious drop with a nod to his Italian heritage. He has teamed with chief winemaker Peter Munro to create a red blend that is described as "secret and unique".

The label is an artwork by Ricciardo's friend and helmet designer Ornamental Conifer (the alter ego of British artist Nicolai Sclater).



“Ric Red is what I pull out when I’m with my best mates and we’re sharing stories and laughs.”Ricciardo said.

“I believe that everyone should have a beautiful "go-to" red, so I was determined to create a social and shareable wine with St Hugo that is easily accessible for whenever the moment calls for it.

"I am super proud of what we’ve created together."

Ricciardo has been involved "every step of the way" from blending to the label design and tasting notes,

The partnership had previously resulted in two limited-edition vintage releases of fine wine range DR3 x St Hugo, which were first released in 2021, together with a hand-blown glass racing boot decanter that sold out in seven days.

Ric Red is an affordable extension of DR3 x St Hugo.

The wine is on sale from today with an RRP of $45 at www.sthugo.com/RicRed.