A new study has found that Aussie shoppers remain a patriotic bunch with a whopping 89 per cent of respondents agreeing they’d more likely buy an Australian made product. The study by research firm Roy Morgan pitted shoppers views of locally made goods over their cheaper Chinese alternatives. It found 30 per cent of us are likely to buy Chinese made goods based on price, while 48 per cent of respondents were less likely to buy the Chinese variant. Only 3 per cent say they’d be more likely to buy wine if it came from China, while 73 per cent are more likely to buy wine if it’s Australian.

One of the Clare Valley’s premier wine brands, the family–owned Pikes Wines, is about to embark on a project that will turn the base of the 33–year–old wine and beer company into a Mid North destination for food, wine and tourism. Famous for its quality Clare wines and striking fish logo, for more than 30 years Pikes Wines has been one of Clare Valley’s most renowned wineries. Started in 1984 by Andrew Pike and his brother Neil, the winery has evolved over the years to include a range of beers in 1996 (Pikes Beer Company), Pikes & Joyce (for their Adelaide Hills wines), while a brewery for their beer range opened in 2014. The next step: a Pikes visitors’ centre.

Penfolds is paying tribute to their most influential wine maker, Max Schubert, with a new collection of wines that are aimed at millennials who want good and affordable wine that they can drink straight away. “The wines have between 5 percent and 10 percent oak with really low tannings; they feature fresher fruity flavors,” said Southeast Asian Penfolds ambassador Patrick Dowling during the luncheon at the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta recently. The luncheon revolved around the innovations by its former chief winemaker Schubert who was the creator of the iconic Australian red, Grange. The low tannins and oak contrast with Penfold’s usual deep red wines.

At least 10 people are dead and more than 100 vineyards are scorched as firefighters struggle to bring dozens of blazes under control. Wildfires have ravaged Chile’s Central Valley for close to two weeks now, and at least 100 vineyards in the Maule and Colchagua regions have been damaged or destroyed in the blazes. President Michelle Bachelet declared a state of emergency Jan. 20, calling the fires some of the worst in the nation’s history. As of yesterday afternoon, 53 blazes were still being fought nationwide, with 48 under control and two extinguished, according to CONAF, Chile’s National Forest Corporation. Its staff estimates that over 676,000 acres of land have been impacted so far.

Casella Family Brands is delighted to announce the appointment of Nigel Westblade as Chief Winemaker for Peter Lehmann Wines. Commencing in mid February 2017, Nigel will assume responsibility for all aspects of wine production across the Peter Lehmann portfolio, whilst being ably assisted by the Winemaking and Viticulture teams. Since graduating from the University of Adelaide with a Graduate Diploma in Oenology, Nigel has garnered exceptional winemaking experience. His career began working for Cape Jaffa Wines in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia.

Ten Adelaide Hills’ wineries will receive up to $25,000 each as part of the State Government’s new $1 million Cellar Door Grants Program. The Cellar Door Grants Program assists wineries to upgrade and diversify their cellar doors. This could include adding an exclusive tasting room, bed and breakfast facility or educational program. As a further boost in funding to the region, the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Association will receive $16,000 in funding under the Regional Wine Industry Association Grants Program.

Ten Adelaide Hills’ wineries will receive up to $25,000 each as part of the State Government’s new $1 million Cellar Door Grants Program. The Cellar Door Grants Program assists wineries to upgrade and diversify their cellar doors. This could include adding an exclusive tasting room, bed and breakfast facility or educational program. As a further boost in funding to the region, the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Association will receive $16,000 in funding under the Regional Wine Industry Association Grants Program.

A long-standing fixture in the industry, McLaren Vale winery, Shottesbrooke Vineyards, is expanding its footprint in the eastern states by today confirming an exciting new partnership with leading family-owned wine distributor, The Wine Company (TWC). Founded over three decades ago, Shottesbrooke is a second-generation wine business boasting an extensive portfolio of wines produced from the premium wine growing regions of McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, and has tirelessly focused its efforts on producing outstanding wines that are approachable, drinkable and regionally identifiable.

Arriving at Maygar’s Hill Winery and Vineyard in Longwood East, owner/operator and viticulturist Jenny Houghton is nowhere to be seen. After popping into the gorgeous brick cellar door, nestled among 2.43ha of cabernet and shiraz vines, there is still no sign of Ms Houghton. However, wandering up the gravel path toward the winery’s cottage that overlooks the property, Ms Houghton can be seen working vigorously in the garden, tearing out weeds and turning on sprinklers. A formidable woman, Ms Houghton works harder than most to run the boutique winery and bed and breakfast, even pruning her vines each season all on her own.

Arriving at Maygar’s Hill Winery and Vineyard in Longwood East, owner/operator and viticulturist Jenny Houghton is nowhere to be seen. After popping into the gorgeous brick cellar door, nestled among 2.43ha of cabernet and shiraz vines, there is still no sign of Ms Houghton. However, wandering up the gravel path toward the winery’s cottage that overlooks the property, Ms Houghton can be seen working vigorously in the garden, tearing out weeds and turning on sprinklers. A formidable woman, Ms Houghton works harder than most to run the boutique winery and bed and breakfast, even pruning her vines each season all on her own.