Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Australia’s Endeavour to slash wine production amid asset sell-off

Published: 29 May, 2026

Australian drinks retailing giant Endeavour Group has announced that it is set to reduce its grape production by 80%. It will also close four of its seven wineries as well as a packaging facility, while selling the vineyards and assets of three key premium brands.

Australian winemaker Simon Hackett passes away aged 73

Published: 26 January, 2026

“Larger than life” Australian winemaker Simon Hackett died on Friday (23 January) after suffering a stroke.

Producer Q&A: Giles Cooke MW, Thistledown Wines

Published: 22 May, 2025

From retailer to merchant to producer, Giles Cooke has spanned the wine trade. He talks Majestic, murder and McLaren Vale.

Accolade snaps up Heuzenroeder from Yalumba

Published: 24 February, 2021

Accolade Wines has appointed Teresa Heuzenroeder as its new senior winemaker and manager for its Tintara facility.

Jackson Family acquires Giant Steps Winery

Published: 25 August, 2020

Jackson Family Wines has acquired Yarra Valley winery Giant Steps for an undisclosed sum.

ABS brings Hedonist Ecology range to the UK

Published: 13 January, 2020

Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies (ABS) has announced it is bringing Hedonist Wines’ organic and biodynamic Ecology range to the UK on an exclusive basis.

Artisanal Oz and Georgia among diverse new agencies for Berkmann

Published: 03 January, 2020

Berkmann Wine Cellars has ushered in the new year with the addition of five new agencies to its portfolio.

Med makeover mops up medal for Monarchs of McLaren

Published: 06 November, 2019

Wine of Show at this year’s McLaren Vale Wine Show has gone to an Italian grape for the first time with Hither & Yon’s 2018 Nero d’Avola beating off 788 contenders to take the top spot.

All change in McLaren Vale

Published: 13 August, 2019

As one of the most dynamic Australian regions, McLaren Vale is helping redraw expectations of wine from Down Under. Andrew Catchpole reports

Harpers on Tour: Indies Down Under

Published: 13 March, 2019

There is a point on every trip, once travel fatigue has passed and the daily rhythm of tasting, talking and tucker becomes the norm, when a borrowed moment of freedom over a bottle of wine captures the spirit of the tour. During a recent indie merchant buyers trip to Australia this came in the refreshingly left-field shape of a magnum of Brash Higgins Zibibbo, providing a rather early sundowner in the leafy garden of the McLaren Vale Motel, as the group relaxed ahead of a big tasting and dinner.