Women making strides in the Australian wine industry

 

Women are making strides in the wine industry in Australia - but much work remains to be done until full equality is reached.

Ten years on from one of the world’s first published studies of its kind, there is some good news for women’s advancement in key roles in the Australian grape and wine sector.

A new report Women in the Australian wine sector: How have the numbers changed in CEO, winemaking, viticulture, and marketing roles since 2013? conducted by Dr Jeremy Galbreath of Strateos Group, funded by Wine Australia, has revealed an increase in the representation of the studied roles in the Australian grape and wine community.

Dr Galbreath’s original study assessed gender composition of the wine sector over the period 2007–2013. The new study covering 2021-2023 has shown that nationally, the number of women in a CEO role is now 33.7%, an increase of 21% over the previous findings of 12.7 %. 

Women in winemaking roles is now 16.7%, an increase of 7.9% over the previous findings, while women in a viticulture role is now 21.5%, an increase of 11.5%. 

The percentage of women in wine marketing is now 58.4 %, an increase of 4.9%. 

Dr Galbreath said that the report highlights particularly strong evidence of progression of women in CEO roles compared to the 2007–2013 averages.

“A decade ago, only around 13% of women held CEO roles in the Australian grape and wine sector, which was on par with the average for women CEOs in Australia at that time of around 10–12%. 

"The latest data indicates that the Australian grape and wine community has increased representation of women in CEO roles to 33.7%, surpassing the estimated Australian average of 22%. 

“The number of women in winemaking and viticulturist roles have shown good increases as well, while the number of women in marketing roles remains relatively steady. While these results are encouraging, in critical roles such as winemaking and viticulture there is room for improvement.”

Australian Grape & Wine’s Diversity and Equality in Wine Committee Chair Ali Laslett said: “While we are happy to see a shift in the dial with these results, there is still some way to go on many fronts, including the gender pay gap. 

"This research provides us with significant evidence over a 10-year period and we are grateful to Dr. Galbreath for conducting this very important research for us again.”

Wine Australia General Manager Research and Innovation Dr Liz Waters said evidence shows that women in the sector need sustained support to help achieve their career aspirations, particularly in senior and leadership positions.

“Since the original report was released, significant efforts have been made by many in the sector to promote the achievements of women and raise awareness of the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion in our sector,” Waters said.

“This new report shows an improvement in our gender representation over the past decade, but there is more that can be done and it remains an ongoing priority, as identified by the sector in consultations for the One Grape & Wine Sector Plan.”

In the report, Dr Galbreath makes several recommendations to keep improving the share of roles held by women in the Australian grape and wine sector, including pay equality, business ownership, regional women’s networks, mentorship and ‘male champions’, data reporting graduate career pathways, and consideration of benchmarks to aim for greater share of women in underrepresented roles.

The full report can be downloaded from wineaustralia.com.

Discover the reason for a tent sauna on Hobart's waterfront

A pop-up sauna on the Hobart waterfront is just one of the many quirky elements to the 2024 Beaker Street festival in Tasmania.

The festival of science and ideas has announced a "future first" program, enabling guests to dive into the mysteries of the Antarctic, stargaze in the CBD, or dip their toes into the science of wellness, as well as devour food that could help conquer climate change.

Beaker Street organisers today unveiled an expanded precinct for the annual week-long celebration, which held be held from August 6-13 and will feature over 70 events. 

Hobartica - Antarctica in Hobart - will include polar plunge pools and saunas, while Future 
Foods dining experiences will look at what we might be eating down the track in 2050. 

Founder and festival director Dr Margo Adler says: “In curating the festival, we delve into today’s most exciting research and urgent challenges. 

"The result is a compelling mix of thought-provoking entertainment, unexpected experiences, and mind-expanding conversations, which welcomes everyone into science.”

The eighth year of the festival will see a precinct spanning Hobart’s cultural and entertainment hubs and taking in City Hall, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, The Old Mercury Building, Hope & Anchor Tavern, Mawson Place, and pubs, bars, and restaurants around the waterfront and CBD.

The festival’s events kick off on Tuesday, August 6, culminating with a weekend of festivities from August 9-11. 

There is also an opportunity to engage in a two-night immersive getaway at Piermont Retreat on Tasmania's East Coast, from August 11-13. 

Beaker Street Festival is produced by Beaker Street, a not-for-profit cultural organisation and registered charity, and is supported by Events Tasmania, City of Hobart, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and National Science Week.

See www.beakerstreet.com.au

Image: Dearna Bond

New boutique resort unveiled for Hamilton Island

The team behind Hamilton Island and qualia is to launch a new boutique hotel in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

Hamilton Island Enterprises has unveiled The Sundays - which is being promoted as a family-friendly destination in the World Heritage-listed region.

The Sundays will be situated at the northern end of palm-fringed Catseye Beach and will have 59 rooms "designed to capture the essence of Hamilton Island's tropical surroundings and blue water views".

There will be the choice of either a balcony or terrace, overlooking the Coral Sea and the hotel's gardens. Interconnecting rooms, designed for families, will also be available.

The hotel will feature private cabanas around a pool exclusively for guests and a waters-edge restaurant and bar offering al fresco dining with views of Catseye Bay.



The hotel is set to open in autumn 2025, providing employment for over 100 full-time equivalent hospitality workers in the region.

Pete Brulisauer, CEO of Hamilton Island, says, “The Sundays marks over 20 years of continuous significant investment in Hamilton Island by the Oatley family.

"In developing its ethos, we were inspired by the essence of what makes a Sunday so special - relaxing, treasuring time and fostering connections with loved ones, and embracing nature. 

"It will be a place where you can expect an extraordinary experience for all ages amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of The Whitsundays in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.”

Brulisauer says in recent years Hamilton Island, accessible via direct flights in under 2.5 hours from major Australian East Coast cities, has seen a sharp increase in domestic travellers seeking a luxury tropical island escape without the hassle and time of international flights.

The project is estimated to cost over $30 million. 

Sandy Oatley, chairman of Hamilton Island Enterprises, says: “We are responding to our guests' request for more family-focused boutique accommodation, in our ideal location. 

"We remain focused on continuing to enhance Hamilton Island's reputation as one of Australia's most iconic holiday destinations.”

The Sundays complements Hamilton Island's wide-range of accommodation offerings, including the luxury resort qualia, the boutique beachfront hotel Beach Club and the family-friendly Reef View Hotel and Palm Bungalows.

Reservations for The Sundays will open in Spring 2025.

Yalumba marks 175 years of family excellence

The Hill-Smith family and its Yalumba brand will celebrate 175 years of winemaking on November 17.

In era where businesses sometimes last just a few years, Yalumba will be celebrating 175 years of multi-generational family ownership. 

The Hill-Smith family (above) will mark the anniversary with a series of releases and experiences at its home in Eden Valley and abroad.

Established in 1849 by Samuel Smith and today in the hands of fifth-generation proprietor and industry pioneer Robert Hill-Smith, Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, driven by the spirit of innovation passed down through six generations.

Robert Hill-Smith describes Yalumba’s 175th anniversary as “a genuinely momentous milestone”.

“This anniversary is not only a nod to years passed. It is a reflection of our resilience and a commitment to mastering our craft, generation after generation. It also acknowledges the many exceptional fine wine people that have come through the gates of Yalumba across three centuries, with shared love for our property, our wines, and our industry,” he says. 

“Most of all, it is celebration of an exciting future ahead for our family business and the world of Australian fine wine. While we celebrate our past 175 years, we keep our eyes firmly set on the next 175 as the generations before us have done.”

Yalumba is about to debut a Museum Collection featuring a limited selection of the great vintages of its finest wines, aged up to 20 years. Each of Yalumba’s Museum Collection wines is "testament to the family’s dedication to wines of pedigree and its treasured old vines", which include The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz, The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz, The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon, and The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz.

The Yalumba Museum Collection will be released with very limited quantities available from the Yalumba Wine Room and partnering fine wine outlets and restaurants around the world.

Image: (L-R) Jessica Hill-Smith, Robert Hill-Smith, Lucy Hill-Smith

Luxury resort showcases global female star chefs

The Datai in Langkawi, a resort with a global reputation for excellence, will showcase some of the world's top female chefs for its 2024-25 edition of The Chef Series.

The Malaysian rainforest retreat has been a drawcard for 30 years now. Here is my report from a decade ago: https://www.gourmetontheroad.com/2014/08/a-magnificent-jungle-resort-with-superb.html.

The Datai's signature dining programme aims to celebrate gastronomic talent from around the world.

With a chef selection boasting nine Michelin stars between them, cuisines from across Asia and Europe will be showcased.

Each chef will create a bespoke menu guided by the produce of Langkawi and the organic ingredients cultivated in the resort’s zero-waste Permaculture Garden.

The names featured in The Chef-fe Series 2024-2025 are:

June 2024:
Florence Dalia of 16 by Flo, Taipei, Taiwan (formerly two Michelin stars)

August 2024:
Cristina Bowerman of Glass Hostaria, Rome (one Michelin star)

October 2024:
Angela Hartnett of Murano, London (one Michelin star) with
Lisa Goodwin-Allen of Northcote, Lancashire, UK (one Michelin star) and
Nieves Barragán Mohacho of Sabor, London (one Michelin star)

January 2025:
Ana Roš (below) of Hiša Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia (three Michelin stars and one Michelin green star)



Most of the dinners will be held at the resort’s spectacular fine dining venue, The Dining Room, overlooking the main pool and the Andaman Sea. It's a dramatic setting.

Selected chefs will also offer cooking demonstrations, some giving guests the chance to join a cooking masterclass.

Arnaud Girodon, CEO of Datai Hotels and Resorts, said: “This year’s ‘Chef-fe’ edition of The Chef Series promises to bring some truly extraordinary culinary experiences to our guests, who have come to know and love our resort for its exceptional dining in the dramatic surroundings of the rainforest.

"Through our guest cheffes, who represent some of the very best gastronomic talents from around the world, we are honoured to have the opportunity to showcase the bounty of exquisite local produce grown on-site and supplied by ethical producers and artisans who share our vision.”

The Datai is situated on the north-west tip of the island of Langkawi in Malaysia. It has 121 rooms, villas, and suites. See www.thedatai.com/events-and-occasions/the-chef-series

Is this new brand your next hotel tribe?

Enjoy a colourful hotel vibe?

TRIBE, a design-led midscale brand from Accor, is about to make its New Zealand debut: in Auckland.

TRIBE Auckland Fort Street (it is their branding, I'm not shouting) will become the brand's first address in the country "serving as a stylish destination where guests and locals can work, play, and relax with a like-minded community of entrepreneurs and adventurous travellers".

The new hotel is located on Fort Street, just a short walk from central Britomart and the Commercial Bay precinct.

It will have 60 guest rooms described as "compact but ultra-comfy", along with a lobby bar, terrace, and social hub.

The media blurb says TRIBE Auckland Fort Street "will prioritise intelligent, functional, design-driven spaces that give guests everything they need and nothing they don't".

Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PM&E, Adrian Williams, said: “The introduction of TRIBE to New Zealand underpins our expansion strategy throughout the region - to introduce brands and hotels that respond to the needs and wants of modern travellers.

“Today's travellers seek simplicity, affordability, and connectivity in a design-led environment. They know that comfort and fair prices can co-exist and that's exactly what TRIBE hotels offer - spaces that are smart, stylish and comfortable, at a great price.

“We are excited to partner with CP Group to introduce this one-of-a-kind concept to New Zealand with TRIBE Auckland Fort Street. With its bold personality and socially connected culture, the hotel will become a hub that excites and inspires both travellers and locals.

“We know that TRIBE will resonate both with domestic and international guests in New Zealand and look forward to debuting the brand's first address here.”

TRIBE currently has over 15 hotels across the globe with a further 40 currently under development, including flagship addresses in France and the UK.

The Australian-born brand has one hotel in Australia - in Perth - but has been largely focussed on European destinations, particularly in Paris suburbs.    

See ALL.com for more details, or take a look at https://tribehotels.com/en/.