Archive by Author

Alternative Lifestyle

Guest Blog by 2016 AAVWS Fellow James Scarcebrook… From a young age I always attempted to avoid the mainstream, to be an individual. Little did I know that many years later as a wine professional and wine drinker, I would do the same thing! There is no better place to celebrate the alternative than at […]

Introducing our 2016 AAVWS Fellow

James Scarcebrook “My name is James Scarcebrook and I’m thrilled to be the 2016 AAVWS Fellow. My entry into the industry was in retail back in 2004, and finding an affinity with selling and talking about wine, I decided to follow a vinous career path. Since then I’ve had the opportunity to work in a […]

A+ for the AAVWS

By Adam Walls, the 2015 AAVWS Fellow   From the outset, my time at the 2015 AAVWS was A +. Mildura put on a show! Postcard spring weather, country hospitality and top class food and wine. The weekend opened my eyes to the momentum that ‘alternative varieties’ are currently experiencing in Australia. The AAVWS is […]

The Art of Change

Guest Blog by Stefano de Pieri   Dr Rod Bonfiglioli – the viticulturist at Chalmers’ Nursery – came to see me on a cold winter night. He said he had a project and he needed my help. I was eager to talk to him. I heard about mysterious wine things going on in the heart […]

Meet our ‘Access All Areas’ Media VIP

My name is Nathan Gogoll, I’m a journalist and I know there’s no better opportunity to uncover great story ideas than to be immersed, behind the scenes, at events where the industry gets together. Could there be a better opportunity for the new editor of the Australia & New Zealand Grapegropwer & Winemaker than a […]

Meet the inaugural AAVWS Fellow

My name is Sarah Limacher, I have the pleasure of being Group Sommelier for The Keystone Group, which based in Sydney operates 26 venues across Australia, our portfolio includes our 3 iconic wine bars The Winery Surry Hills, Gazebo and Manly Wine, restaurants such as Rushcutters, The Chophouse, Jamie’s Italian and Kingsleys, our members club […]

AAVWS The Grand Vision

A guest blog by Jeni and Burt Surmon, Mt Surmon Wines We had planted nebbiolo, pinot gris and viognier vines in our Clare Valley vineyard so the initial AAVWS in 1999 featuring sangiovese was of interest. We were delighted when the concept was broadened to include a large number of lesser known and unknown varieties. Many […]

The Inland Irrigated Areas and Italian Varietals

a presentation by Mark Walpole at the Long Italian Lunch & Sangiovese Awards, 6th November 1999. Introduction When people are talking about premium Italian varietal wines then in most cases people think Barolo, Barbaresco (both made from Nebbiolo); Chianti (from Sangiovese), Barbera, Pinot Grigio or possibly even blends including French varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon. In […]

Changing the World

“The massive impact the AAVWS has had on wine production and consumption in Australia over the last 15 years is now flowing overseas as alternative varieties breathe new life into the UK market and add colour and excitement to the Australian offering.”