More than 80 breweries have shut down since June 2023, according to the Independent Brewers Association. Alcohol consumption in Australia fell by about 10 per cent in the three years to 2024. Analysts link the decline to younger drinkers, tighter household budgets and the rise of non-alcoholic alternatives. Non-alcoholic beer sales are projected to almost double by 2028. Hunter Valley winery owner Nathan Heuston says his weekly income has fallen sharply, while Australian Grape and Wine says the industry faces its most difficult period in generations.
Mornington Peninsula producers collected five gold, 12 silver and 31 bronze medals at the ninth Australian Pinot Noir Challenge. The competition drew 319 entries from 20 regions across Australia. Merli Pinot Noir, made by Jonathan and David Merli, claimed the Mornington Peninsula Regional Trophy. Judging was held in Flinders in late September, led by Tom Carson of Yabby Lake and supported by volunteer stewards from local wineries. The Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association organises the event, which also highlights the region's 1,346 tonnes of Pinot Noir grapes crushed in 2025.
Castle Rock Estate and Kerrigan + Berry claimed four trophies between them at the 2026 VI Packaging Wine Show of WA. Castle Rock Estate won two awards, including best museum wine for its 2012 Estate Riesling and best pinot noir for its 2025 Diletti Pinot Noir. Kerrigan + Berry won two trophies for its 2026 Riesling, one for best Great Southern single vineyard and one for best riesling. The 49th show drew 638 entries and was judged over three days at Sounness Park in Mount Barker.
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The Budburst Festival is marking 35 years of showcasing cool climate wines from the Macedon Ranges. The two-day event on 14 and 15 November features 26 winemakers across more than 15 venues. Festival hours run from 10am to 5pm on both days, with tastings, food, live entertainment and music. Festival passes start at $39, and weekend passes cost $55. Bus tickets cost $70 for a one-day pass and are available from Woodend station and Lancefield town centre.
The 2025 Shadowfax Midhill Chardonnay won Best Wine of the Exhibition at the Macedon Ranges Wine Exhibition. Hesket Estate took the Gordon Knight Trophy for Best Winery. The event was held on Thursday 15 October at Mount Monument, with judging the day before by an expert panel chaired by wine writer Jane Faulkner. Wines were entered across five categories. Vignerons Association president Ollie Rapson praised the quality and range of local Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wines. Chief steward Renata Morello invited locals to visit producers during the Budhurst Festival on 14 and 15 November.
Sevenhill Cellars, the Clare Valley's first winery, celebrates 175 years this month. The winery is marking the occasion with its annual long lunch and the release of the 2021 Brother John May Reserve Shiraz. Founded by Jesuit priest Fr Alois Kranewitter in 1848, the Sevenhill site remains a working not-for-profit winery with Jesuit priests still living there. Brother John May, the seventh Jesuit winemaker at Sevenhill, died on August 18 aged 92. The long lunch will be held on Saturday 10 October, with wines paired with a menu from the Watervale Hotel.
A sold-out lunch in an underground cellar at Tamburlaine Organic Wines in Cudal will host 30 guests on Saturday 24 October. The Barrel Room Lunch is part of the Orange Wine Festival, which runs from 16 to 25 October with more than 40 events. Guests will tour the winery, taste wines straight from tanks and barrels, and sample museum wines alongside a Lebanese-style lunch. Operations manager Clayton Kiely said the afternoon is designed to be social and offers access to parts of winemaking not usually open to visitors. The festival celebrates cool-climate wines across Cabonne, Orange and Blayney.
The Beefsteak and Burgundy Club in Sunbury is inviting the public to a free information night on Thursday 22 October at 7pm. The event will be held at the Hume Global Learning Centre. The club has brought locals together for wine and food for more than 50 years. It was founded in Sunbury by four local businessmen and formally run by the national club from 1974.
Treasury Wine Estates has sold its Rosemount, Ingoldby and Secret Stone discount brands to the Oatley family. Chairman John Mullen said the company will not sell remaining brands such as Wolf Blass, Lindemans and Yellowglen for unrealistic amounts. He told shareholders at the annual meeting in Melbourne that the company is shifting its focus to luxury wines as demand for cheaper wine shrinks. Mr Mullen also said there are no plans for a separate listing of Penfolds on the ASX. Shares rose 1.2 per cent in early trade.
A Champagne tasting and multi-course dinner called The Champagne Experience will be held at Royal Canberra Golf Club in Yarralumla on Wednesday 28 October, starting at 5.30 pm. The event is run by Brendan Irvine and Adam Wade of Red Hill Wine Club, who were inspired by a trip to Taste of Champagne. Guests can taste a selection of Champagnes among the rose gardens with canapés, or continue to a set dinner with each course paired to a Champagne. A combined ticket covers both parts of the evening.
A guide picks six wines from the Taylors Estate Label range to help buyers build a rack across white, red and rose styles. The range runs to 13 wines, and each bottle costs $24, or $20 for members. The picks include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Rose. The guide says the wines can be ordered online in a single checkout. It also notes that the publication may earn a commission on purchases made through links.
Seppeltsfield Wines executive chairman Warren Randall has acquired a $11 million Arts and Crafts-style residence in St Georges, setting a new suburb record. The property, known as Castlemaine, features a distinctive tower and expansive views. Randall plans to develop an entertainment precinct with a viewing area and underground garage for his car collection. The project requires approval and will involve demolishing an adjacent guest house. Randall aims to use the space to host international wine importers, with the property serving as his family home for decades.
Archive Wine Bar in Belmont has been recognised as a finalist for Australia’s best wine bar list. The venue, owned by Graham and Ingrid Sutherland, offers 342 wines, including 164 by the glass. Graham, a qualified wine educator, said the bar aims to provide a diverse selection, from local drops to premium international bottles, with an educational focus. The award shortlisting marks a first for Archive, which received the highest Three Glasses rating for its wine list.
Byrne Farm in Nashdale won multiple awards at the Orange Wine Show, including Best White Wine and Best Single Vineyard Wine for its Chardonnay. The winery also received a trophy for its 2025 Shiraz Pinot blend. Caitlin Byrne, assistant winemaker, said she was surprised by the winery's success, noting the high quality of all entries. The Byrne family moved from the Hunter Valley to Orange in 2019 and focuses on crafting fine wine, starting with the vineyard.
