A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.- Brewer Stone & Wood enters the burgeoning contemporary beer space;- Victorian wine pioneer Seppelt celebrates its 170th anniversary;- Nusa Cana Rum launches a Batavia Arrack; and- Ambitious craft beer venue Urban House of Brews on track for 2022 launch in Sydney.Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here.Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram.You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin distiller Simon Brooke-Taylor (and yes, he is related to the late Tim Brooke-Taylor from 'The Goodies') founded Hurdle Creek Still in Milawa, North East Victoria, with his partner Wendy Williams in 2014.Hurdle Creek produces gin, genever, liqueurs and aperitifs that champion locally sourced ingredients.And it’s one of a handful of Australian distilleries that produces its own base spirit from scratch, in this case using locally sourced grain.You may also like: The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1 UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1 Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2 Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Coming from a brewing background, Simon considers base spirit somewhat similarly to role malt plays in beer.In contrast to some of the distillers we’ve heard from previously on this podcast who say they need a completely neutral base spirit to show off the botanicals in their gin, Simon likes having a base with character that adds layers and texture to the flavour of his gin.He wants to educate drinkers that there is much more to gin than just the dry styles that currently dominate the market.First up though, Simon recounts his path from studying biochemistry and toxicology at university to becoming a master brewer, and the evolution of his distilling hobby into a professional career.More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more. Winemaker Treasury Wine reports strong results; Craft brewer Mountain Culture's beer named among world’s best; Four Pillars Gin launches a single vineyard Bloody Shiraz in collaboration with neighbours Yarra Yering; and Morris Whisky’s John Casella reveals a premium brandy is on the cards. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Available to purchase here.Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram.More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Founded in 2005 by David Walsh, the rather infamous owner of Tasmania’s Mona Museum, Moo Brew is a highly respected brewery that has been somewhat uncompromising in its approach.From the outset, David insisted on packaging the Moo Brew beers in rather ornate, expensive bottles.You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8Its early marketing declared the beers were, ‘not suitable for bogans’. (Otherwise known as rednecks or chavs for our international listeners).And the company maintained an allegiance to classic beer styles that were otherwise out of fashion in Australia, generally speaking.So I’ve watched with interest in recent years as different kind of Moo Brew has emerged.Packaging its beers in cans. Releasing an IPA. Creating a new label, Brew By Moo Brew, focused on unfussy, easy drinking beers that seemed to appeal to all beer drinkers. Even bogans.Lauren Sheppard joined Moo Brew as general manager in July 2020, prior to which she worked for the Domaine A and Moorilla Estate wine brands that are also part of the Mona family.I asked Lauren whether it was a difficult decision to move from wine into beer. And what was the remit she was given when she was offered the role at Moo Brew.More must-listen episodes:Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine Australia is now focusing its efforts on other emerging markets in Asia, where Australian wine has a small share of the total wine market. That's according to general manager of marketing, Stuart Barclay, who addressed last week's Wine Export Diversification Webinar. In other news:· Australian winemakers confronting challenges in Japan· Australian craft spirits distributor Nip of Courage launches new wholesale and retail offerings; and· Melbourne’s Brick Lane Brewing creates amburana-aged beerFollow @drinksadventures_au and @byjamesatkinson on Instagram.More must-listen episodes: Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6 Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4 Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6 Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Tags: gin, distilling, distillery, distiller, liquor, craft spirits, cocktail, cocktails, drink, drinks, wine, winemaking, winemaker, viticulture, beer, craft beer, brewing, agave, tequila, mezcal, bartender, bartenders, sommelier, sommeliers, cicerone, whisky, whiskey, cognac, bourbon, rum, vodka, vineyard, mixology, bars, pubs, restaurants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky in Australia is highly fragmented, characterised by many small craft distilleries. Launched in 2021, Morris Whisky is one of few distilleries operating at a decent scale.When winemaker John Casella acquired Morris of Rutherglen in 2016, his sole aim was to save an Australian icon from liquidation.You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8But then he saw the original hybrid copper still and the many barrels maturing Morris’s renowned fortified wines and saw an opportunity to make a uniquely Australian single malt whisky.Casella Family Brands set up a dedicated company, Copper and Grain Distilling, and lured Scotch whisky experts John McDougall and Dr. Jim Swan, to advise the business. Darren Peck, formerly of Diageo, was appointed head distiller.From the start, John was determined to compete with foreign imports, by creating the best possible whisky at an accessible price tag.In June 2021, Copper and Grain released two debut whiskies under the Morris label that have been extremely well-received, being awarded gold medals pre-release at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.You’ll hear two interviews within in this episode. The first is with John Casella and Michael Sergeant, who is head of strategy and innovation at Copper & Grain. I spoke separately to head distiller Darren Peck.More must-listen episodes:Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine, beer, whisky and sake news from Drinks Adventures: Wine's diversity problem, Tasmania whisky innovation, Craft brewer Good Drinks' ASX results New Bentspoke Brewing label; and Japanese sake update. Theme music 'Devotion' by Silverlining. Purchase here.Follow Drinks Adventures at @drinksadventures_au and James Atkinson at @byjamesatkinson on Instagram.You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sommelier Wayne Shennen is a Certified Sommelier and the first New Zealander to achieve certification as an Advanced Sake Professional.Wayne has worked in hospitality in Australia and New Zealand since 2002. And in 2019, Wayne and his Japanese wife, Makie, relocated to Japan to open a sake and wine bar, Rangitoto Tokyo.The venture seemed well timed to capitalise on the Rugby World Cup and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, but Wayne and Makie could never have predicted that ‘other’ global event.Wayne is also the author of the e-book, Demystifying Sake, which you can find on Amazon, and he has worked in sake breweries in Ishikawa, Saga, and Gifu prefectures.You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8On a mission to get more New Zealand and Australian wines into the hands of Japanese wine buffs, Wayne is also passionate about raising sake’s undervalued reputation as the stuff of dodgy Hollywood binges (Tom Cruise has a lot to answer for).I asked him how Japanese sake piqued his interest such that he came to devote his career to the beverage. More must-listen episodes:Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Winemaker Samantha Connew launched her own label Stargazer Wines in 2013 by purchasing a parcel of grapes on her credit card.The bootstrapped operation has since grown into one of Tasmania’s most exciting boutique wineries.In 2016, Sam purchased a small riesling and pinot noir vineyard in the Coal River Valley that she has supplemented by planting new clones of pinot noir and chardonnay, along with some more Riesling, and gamay soon to come.In this episode of Drinks Adventures, Sam shares her somewhat unusual path into winemaking that began with a student job in a Christchurch wine bar.You may also like:Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5Seizing an opportunity to work her first vintage in Oregon, USA, Sam was hooked immediately. Her wine career since has included additional overseas vintages in Italy and Spain, and back in Australia, lengthy stints in McLaren Vale and the Hunter Valley.A highly respected wine judge who has been a panel chair at many regional and capital city wine shows, Sam was appointed Chair of Judges at the Sydney Royal Wine Show in 2014.She was the first female and the youngest judge to achieve that position, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.In fact, Sam says her decision to launch Stargazer was due in part to the blatant sexism she’s dealt with throughout her career.First up though, Sam recounts how she transitioned from law student to winemaker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine appreciation has taken hold in the NBA. Basketball writer Baxter Holmes joins us this episode to discuss this surprising trend.Sportswriters don’t generally win a James Beard culinary award. It’s like Lionel Messi winning an Oscar.But that’s exactly what Baxter Holmes has done. In fact, he’s the only sportswriter, thus far, to have achieved this singular honour, for his article about the humble peanut butter & jelly sandwich and its unlikely rise to pre-match secret weapon for the NBA.You may also like:Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5Baxter is the senior national NBA writer for ESPN, focusing on features, projects and anything else of interest in the world of basketball.Recently, he has found himself becoming increasingly fascinated with what the players do away from the court.In the process, he unearthed a fantastic story about the NBA’s growing obsession with wine.Players, it seems, have moved beyond the usual trappings of wealth – houses, cars, bling etcetera – and are instead turning their attention (and sizeable incomes) to a more unusual pursuit. Wine.Surprisingly, this is not merely a story of bragging rights over who can buy the most expensive bottle.These NBA stars, including LeBron James, have developed a genuine interest in wine. They want to know about it intimately, develop their palates and be able to speak knowledgeably about wine. Some have even taken a giant leap and purchased their own vineyards.So, stay with me on Drinks Adventures as Baxter reveals how he embarked on his investigation into the NBA’s burgeoning wine obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Back in Season One of this podcast I took you to Tasmania for the Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival, an event quite like anything else I’ve ever attended.Organiser Willie Smith’s Cider recently announced the festival is returning on July 16 & 17, 2021.More must-listen episodes:Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5I figured this would be a great opportunity to re-introduce the documentary we produced on the festival back in 2018 as we have a lot of new listeners who may not have taken the time to go back and listen to every episode from the very beginning.First up though, we meet Willie Smith’s general manager Tim Hodgkinson, who is in the middle of planning the 2021 edition of this exciting event.You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Craft beer company Hop Nation Brewing was founded in Footscray, Melbourne in 2014 by winemaking friends Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson.While the brewery started out making hoppy beers, Sam and Duncan have continued to expand into new and intriguing territories.They have a side label for sour beers, Site Fermentation Project; and they’ve returned to winemaking with an affiliated brand, Site Wine.Hop Nation is also one of many craft breweries to have diversified into alcoholic seltzer, with the creation of another new brand, Ray, in 2020.You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8While in Melbourne for Good Beer Week a few weeks ago I dropped by Hop Nation’s original site in Footscray for a long overdue interview with Sam.Our catch-up turned out to be well-timed, as Hop Nation dominated proceedings at the Australian International Beer Awards the following night.The company picked up a remarkable four trophies including one of the major awards, Champion Medium Australian Brewery, and Best Pilsner for Rattenhund, which you’ll hear me discuss with Sam in this interview.These achievements follow Hop Nation’s recent expansion into a new production brewery in Mornington, which has enabled the company to fine tune its beers.So there was plenty to talk about with Sam, and that’s without even mentioning the 2021 release of The Kalash, their bourbon barrel aged imperial stout that drops on June 3, around the time this episode goes to air.Same as in 2020, there’s a second version of The Kalash coming out this year, which you heard foreshadowed by David Baker of Victoria’s Bakery Hill Distillery, back in Season Three of this podcast.And perhaps you can expect even more barrel-aged beers from Hop Nation, which Sam reveals will soon begin distilling whisky, gin and brandy as the latest additions to its impressive beverage portfolio.More must-listen episodes:Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Grant Collins is an award-winning mixologist who has collaborated and consulted with leading bars and hotels across the world.Since 2017 he’s been working with the Kensington Street hospitality precinct in Chippendale, Sydney, where he founded Gin Lane, Blossom Bar and in 2021, a third venue, Cartel.Cartel is a modern Aztec & Latin restaurant with a drinks offering that is heavily focused on agave spirits.You may also like:The NBA’s wine obsession, with Baxter Holmes of ESPN: S10E1UK wine writer Matthew Jukes on non-alc wine & more: S12E1Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8You’ve heard a bit about tequila previously on this podcast with none other than Julio Bermejo, the man who invented the Tommy’s Margarita cocktail, back in Season 4.This time, Grant shares with you his recent experience introducing Cartel’s patrons to mezcal, a lesser known relative of tequila.Grant introduced me to some pretty delicious and interesting mezcals during our chat, which I've listed here for interested parties: Quiquriqui Artisenal Quiquriqui Pechuga El Jorigio Tobala El Jorigio Aroquena This interview was originally scheduled for March 2020. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how that panned out.So when we finally caught up over a year later, I asked Grant first up how he’s been coping in recent times, running a hospitality business during a global pandemic.More must-listen episodes:Two Paddocks wine with Sam Neill, pinot noir obsessive: S6E6Wine critic Jancis Robinson on the changing world of wine: S4E4Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Australian wine has few companies as revered as Henschke Wines, best known for single vineyard shiraz wines Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone.Henschke produces these iconic red wines from some of the world's oldest vines at its estate in Eden Valley, South Australia.We're joined this episode by viticulturist Prue Henschke, who has worked with her husband Stephen in the family wine business since 1980.You may also like:Brewing legend Chuck Hahn's 50-year global brewing odyssey: S11E2Iconic cocktails: Julio Bermejo, creator Tommy’s Margarita cocktail: S4E8Brewing historian Tara Nurin, and beer sensory expert Briony Liebich: S11E6Cocktails meet coffee with Mr Black Spirits: S8E5The occasion is the recent launch of the 2016 Henschke single vineyard shirazes, an appropriate juncture to discuss the evolution of these wines under Prue and Stephen's stewardship.Most Australian wine drinkers are likely familiar with the style of Barossa Valley shiraz, but I think Eden Valley is possibly less well understood.I started the episode by asking Prue about the fundamental differences between the wines from these two neighbouring regions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Daniel Motlop played a total of 130 senior AFL games for the North Melbourne and Port Adelaide football clubs.A three-time Indigenous All-Star, Daniel is a proud Larrakia man. The Larrakia people are the traditional owners of the Darwin region in Australia's Northern Territory.And since finishing playing footy, Daniel has embarked on a new career as an indigenous food and beverage entrepreneur.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresYou may have heard previously on this podcast how Daniel – through his food business Something Wild – created his first spirit, Green Ant Gin, in partnership with Adelaide Hills Distillery's Sacha La Forgia.Green Ant Gin has been hugely successful. And in April 2020, the ASX-listed company now known as Mighty Craft purchased a controlling interest in the brand to work with Daniel in accelerating its growth.They've recently announced that Green Ant Gin is just the first in a range of products they'll be releasing under a new banner, Seven Seasons Spirits.I caught up with Daniel to find out some more about the origins of Something Wild, and his exciting plans to take Seven Seasons Spirits to the world.And I took the opportunity to ask his opinion on some of the ethical considerations involved with using native ingredients in drinks, as many Australian producers rush to embrace these incredibly unique flavours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cocktail festival Australian Cocktail Month was founded by influential industry figure Penny Sippe.The event runs from May 1-31 in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide with the objective of supporting the cocktail and broader hospitality industry.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresDrinkers can unlock unique bar experiences, escape the day to day and enjoy delicious cocktails with the Australian Cocktail Month ticket.The $20 ticket, which is available online HERE, allows guests access to a special menu of cocktails created exclusively for the month.The menu will be available at participating venues, with cocktails priced at $14, and non-alcoholic options at $10. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Sydney distillery Otter Craft Distilling was founded by Julie Otter and her brother Eduard in 2019.While Eduard has extensive drinks industry experience, Julie's background is as an executive in the fashion and beauty sectors.Most recently, she was CEO of Australian fashion label Sass & Bide, and she's done stints at MAC Cosmetics, Jeanswest and sleepwear brand Peter Alexander.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresThere's a lot of 'lifers' in the drinks industry – people who get into it early on in their careers and never leave.As such I always find it interesting to speak with people with different career backgrounds who bring a new perspective on things, which is exactly what we get from Julie in this episode.I started by asking Julie how she came to the decision to leave a successful career and take the plunge into launching a start-up in the distilling industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wolf Blass is undoubtedly one of Australia's most iconic and acclaimed wine brands.The company conceived by German immigrant Wolfgang Blass in 1966 has received more than 10,000 medals and trophies globally for its wines.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresWe're joined this episode by chief winemaker Chris Hatcher, who has been with Wolf Blass since 1987 and has played an integral role in the continued evolution of its wines.This is a special episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, produced with the support of Wolf Blass.The occasion is the launch of the 2021 Wolf Blass Luxury Collection comprising five reds and one white, showcasing South Australia's premier wine regions: Grey Label Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2019 – RRP $45 Grey Label McLaren Vale Shiraz 2019 – RRP $45 Grey Label Langhorne Creek Cabernet Shiraz 2019 – RRP $45 Black Label Barossa, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz 2018 – RRP $130 Platinum Label Medlands Vineyard, Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018 – RRP $200 Platinum Label Medlands Vineyard, Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – RRP $200 The wines are available now, direct from wolfblass.com.I started this interview by asking Chris how these new release wines would compare stylistically to those Wolf Blass was making when Chris joined the business 34 years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Craft beer pioneer and winemaker Phil Sexton is a legendary figure in the Australian drinks industry. He founded Matilda Bay Brewing Company, Australia's first craft brewery, in 1983.After Foster's acquired Matilda Bay, Phil went on to co-found arguably the country's most influential craft brewery, Little Creatures.He established Margaret River wine company Devil's Lair in 1981, and in 1997 came his foray into cooler climate wines in the Yarra Valley, where he created the Innocent Bystander and Giant Steps wine brands.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresPhil has had a very eventful 18 months. In October 2019 he shocked the brewing world when he announced he would relaunch craft beer company Matilda Bay Brewing from his base in Healesville, partnering with the brand's current owner, Carlton & United Breweries.And in August 2019, he announced the sale of Giant Steps to US company Jackson Family Wines.The deal follows his successful exits from Devil's Lair, sold to Southcorp – now known as Treasury Wine Estates – in 1996; Little Creatures, which floated on the stock exchange in 2005 before being wholly acquired by Lion; and Innocent Bystander, which he sold to Brown Brothers in 2016.In a long overdue interview on the Drinks Adventures podcast, Phil updates us on the goings on at the reborn Matilda Bay, as well as Giant Steps, post the sale.We touch on some of the earlier chapters in his career and get his thoughts on recent industry developments such as the sale of fellow Yarra winery Oakridge to Woolworths subsidiary Endeavour Group, plus the demise of his former employer in the US, the pioneering Portland brewery Bridgeport.And the conversation goes down a few other rabbit holes that I hope you enjoy exploring as much as I did.There's a few earlier episodes of Drinks Adventures that I recommend you listen to after today's episode, if you haven't already.In Season 1, we met Janice McDonald, who worked alongside Phil at Matilda Bay, Devil's Lair and Little Creatures, so that's essential listening for another perspective on those early years.And in Season 2, our documentary on Stone & Wood Brewing Company, whose co-founders Brad Rogers, Jamie Cook and Ross Jurisich were previously involved with Matilda Bay.First off in today's episode, I asked Phil how he came to the decision to sell Giant Steps, a company revered for its single vineyard expressions of pinot noir and chardonnay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin distiller Audemus Spirits was founded by Australian Miko Abouaf in 2013.Despite its location in Cognac, France, Audemus has made its name on other spirits. These incude its flagship Pink Pepper Gin, plus liqueurs, bitters and offbeat experiments like Umami Spirit, created from ingredients including Italian capers and parmesan cheese.Audemus's creativity and distilling prowess was recognised in 2020 at the Icons of Gin Awards, when it was named Craft Producer of the Year.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresFull disclosure, it was Andrew Burge from our partner The Gin Society who suggested that Miko his business partner Ian Spink would be great talent for the podcast.Andrew sold me pretty quickly on this interview as I was pretty intrigued by the Audemus story.I wanted to ask Miko how it was that an Australian could find himself distilling gin in Cognac. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky brand That Boutique-y Whisky Company bottles single malts, blends, grain whiskies, bourbons and more from right across the globe.Each whisky release is distinctively packaged with eye-catching illustrations that are inspired in some way by the story behind the liquid.In this opening episode of Season Nine of the Drinks Adventures podcast, we introduce you to Boutique-y Head of Whisky Sam Simmons and global brand ambassador Dave Worthington.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresThe occasion? Well, their first ever Australia Series is launching globally on April 23, 2021.It features eight whiskies sourced from across the country, starting with Victorian distillery Starward, the champion of red wine cask maturation. Also featured is fellow Drinks Adventures alumni Bakery Hill; Killara and Belgrove in Tasmania, Black Gate and Riverbourne in NSW and Tin Shed and Fleurieu in South Australia.You can find everything else you need to know about the whiskies on the Drinks Adventures website, drinksadventures.com.au, and I'll link directly to the article in the show notes.This interview is the second half of a podcast exchange with Dave and Sam. I chatted with them a few weeks ago on their show, Uncorked Whisky Sessions, which you should definitely check out and subscribe to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Distillery Hickson House is scheduled to open to the public before 2021 is out.Normally on this podcast, you're hearing from companies that have already been in operation for at least a few years or possibly much longer.In this case I'm making an exception to speak with the founders of a business that is still in planning.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresHickson House Distilling is scheduled to open to the public in June 2021, and it's a significant project on a number of levels.It's a full-scale production distillery located in the historic Rocks precinct in the centre of Sydney.And then there's the profiles of its founders. Drinks industry veterans Mikey Enright and Julian Train are the team behind some Sydney's best small bars.They have The Barber Shop – renowned for its selection of more than 700 gins – and The Duke of Clarence, their incredibly authentic homage to an English pub.So it's safe to assume that the hospitality side of the project will be second to none.Mikey and Julian are joined on this project by distiller Tim Stones, most recently of Manly Spirits in Sydney.Tim learnt his craft alongside master distiller Desmond Payne at Beefeater Gin in London, who we met in season two of this podcast.Hickson House will be producing gins, aperitifs, whiskies and specialist spirits.But as you'll hear in this episode, some of the other details are still under wraps. I did what I could to get as much info as possible for you.Now, as there are more voices in this episode than we're accustomed to, it probably helps to tell you that Julian is the one with the Australian accent.But it's Mikey you'll hear from first up, giving you the background on how the project was first conceived. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Formerly of Bell's Brewing in Michigan, USA, and West End Brewery in Adelaide, Karli Small has a background in sensory science.Karli began her brewing career as a lab technician at West End. She held a series of brewing roles there before relocating to the US to join Bell's, the company behind Two Hearted IPA, which was voted the best beer in America four years running.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresFinishing as brewing manager at Bell's in September 2019, Karli returned to Australia and ultimately took a job in Sydney as head brewer & production manager at one of my locals, The Grifter Brewing Company.I started by asking Karli how it was that she found her way from Michigan to Marrickville. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.People often scoff at wine being described as having notes of blackberry and sandalwood, or beers that smell of citrus and fresh herbs.But there is actually science underpinning some of these associations.Harold McGee is a world renowned expert on the chemistry of food and drink.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresHis latest book, Nose Dive, is a field guide to the entire world of smell.It doesn't matter how weird or offensive a smell is. If you can name it, Harold's smelt it. And he explains the science behind every imaginable smell in this accessible and entertaining guide.Harold joins us for this must-listen interview on the Drinks Adventures podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cognac enthusiast Holly Klintworth is head distiller at Bass and Flinders Distillery on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.The business was founded by Holly's father Wayne Klintworth in 2009 with a desire to make high quality gins, brandies, and liqueurs.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresIt's brandy that you'll be hearing the most about in this episode, as Holly tells us why her family chose a path that is currently less travelled in Australian distilling.Brandy has an incredibly rich history in Australia but it has a little bit of an image problem, which funnily enough, is fairly similar to what gin was confronting little more than a decade ago.In this episode, Holly will tell you about her passion for brandy and why you should be including it as part of your spirits repertoire.We also discuss her gins distilled from a wine base, including the Heartbreak Pinot Noir Gin.But first, Holly will tell you a little bit more about her background and how she came to succeed her father Wayne in the family business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Coffee cocktails are on the rise thanks to Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, now ranged by many of the world’s best bars, restaurants and retailers.Parent company Mr Black Spirits was founded by distiller Philip Moore and coffee lover Tom Baker in 2013.The duo had the mission of taking Australian coffee culture into the night with a high quality coffee liqueur.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresMr Black is the highest selling Australian spirit in the USA, and in 2021 was ranked as the #4 top trending liqueur in the world by Drinks International magazine.The company has a brilliant story and some exciting developments on the horizon that co-founder Tom Baker will share with you in this exciting episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin distillery Four Pillars is based in Victoria's Yarra Valley wine region.It finally broke ground on the $6 million redevelopment of its Healesville distillery and cellar door in early February 2021.You might remember that Cameron Mackenzie of Four Pillars Gin foreshadowed this major project back in Season Three.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresIf you haven't heard that episode yet I really encourage you to go back and listen to Cam tell the back story of Four Pillars Gin – it's definitely one of the best interviews we've brought you so far on the show.Now, Cam returns to discuss the redevelopment in this bonus episode of the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer frontman Maynard James Keenan joins us to discuss the winemaking career he's had in parallel over the last 17 years.Maynard founded Arizona, USA wine company Caduceus Cellars and its affiliated label Merkin Vineyards in 2004.We spoke a little while ago now – on the eve of Joe Biden's inauguration as President.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresIt's a wide-ranging interview in which Maynard shares with you some of the winemaking projects currently exciting him at Caduceus, as well as his recent forays into making mead and cider.He gives you an overview of wine in Arizona, where the industry is still in its infancy but showing a lot of potential with its expressions of Mediterranean grape varieties.Maynard reveals how he cut his teeth on Australian wine and became a huge fan of Penfolds, which you previously heard featured on this show back in Season One.We talk about the untimely passing last year of Maynard's close friend, the hugely respected Adelaide Hills winemaker, Taras Ochota, who Maynard cites as his biggest influence in recent years.And, if you stick around to the end, Maynard updates you on Puscifer and how he's has been coping during these strange times of the COVID-19 pandemic.All tracks used in this episode are from the brilliant new Puscifer album, Existential Reckoning, released in October 2020.Thanks to Maynard for giving us the nod to use them in this episode.Oh, and beware, there is a language warning on some of these tunes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Gin lover Caroline Childerley launched The Gin Queen in December 2013 to share her enthusiasm for gin and the people who make it.The website has since expanded to include cocktail recipes, interviews with distillers and distillery guides.It is now Australia's most influential website dedicated to all things gin. And last year, Caroline's efforts were recognised at the Icons of Gin Awards in London, where she was named communicator of the year.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresIn this episode, Caroline shares with you her insights on the evolution of gin in Australia, and her Top Ten Australian gins of 2020.But first, you'll hear how Caroline turned her passion for gin into a career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.American beer writer Tom Acitelli is with us this episode to tell you all about his latest book.It's called Pilsner: How the Beer of Kings Changed the World and it's a character-driven narrative that shows how this one beer style influenced everything from modern-day advertising and marketing to the craft beer movement of recent decades.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresThe book shatters myths about the birth of pilsner, demonstrating that it's largely a German invention rather than a Czech one.Pilsner is something of a prequel to Tom's brilliant history of the American craft beer movement, The Audacity of Hops.So I took the opportunity to ask Tom about the current outlook for this industry sector in America, where conditions have gotten very difficult for the more than 8000 craft breweries that were operational when the pandemic hit in 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Orlando Wines returned in October 2020 with icons such as Steingarten Riesling, Jacaranda Ridge Cabernet and Lawson’s Shiraz joined by some new wines that are fresh and on-trend, such as a Barossa Grenache and some contemporary-style chardonnays.Orlando chief winemaker Ben Thoman is with you on the Drinks Adventures podcast to tell you everything you need to know about the iconic brand's return.Founded by the Gramp family in 1847, Orlando was considered one of Australia's top producers of quality wine, winning more than 1000 awards and accolades since records began in the 1980s.In this special episode, Ben Thoman tells you all about the exciting new Orlando wines, which excel across the board in showcasing some of South Australia's leading wine regions.You'll also also hear some brilliant archive audio we managed to access that helps tell the story of Orlando; including excerpts from an interview with the late Colin Gramp, a hugely important figure in the Australian wine industry who passed away last year.I hope you enjoy this episode that we've been able to produce with the support of Orlando Wines.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Following a controversial ownership change, McLaren Vale Distillery launched its debut single malt whiskies in late 2020.Jock Harvey of McLaren Vale winery Chalk Hill last year revealed he had taken full control of the distillery he co-founded in 2014 with John Rochfort.The split followed John's departure to set up another brand – Rochfort Distillery – which has since entered liquidation and become the subject of a legal dispute.You can read all about that on the website too.Jock is with us in this episode to tell you everything you need to know about the McLaren Vale whiskies, which will largely be matured in locally sourced red wine and fortified wine casks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Cricket legend Ricky Ponting's new wine venture was understandably met with some scepticism when it was first announced.I'll admit that my initial reaction was, 'not another celebrity wine brand'. But I subsequently learnt that there was much more to Ponting Wines than one of those, shall we say cynical agreements where a famous person licenses their name and image in exchange for royalties on the resulting sales.On his retirement from test cricket in 2012, Ricky was gifted 41 bottles of Penfolds Grange by Cricket Australia – one for every test century he scored in his remarkable career.This certainly helped crystallise an interest in wine that Ricky and his wife Rhianna have since continued to explore in his retirement.Ricky and Rhianna are partners in Ponting Wines and they see it as a long-term venture that they can maybe one day pass on to their children.And they are working on this project with a very reputable winemaker. Ben Riggs has been in the winemaking game both in Australia and internationally for more than 35 years, initially at renowned McLaren Vale winery Wirra Wirra. And then later at his own company, Mr Riggs Wine Co., which he founded in 2001.Ben and the Pontings are working on the project with drinks industry veteran David Krenich, who spent 17 years in commercial and marketing roles at Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine expert Emilie Steckenborn founded the Bottled In China Podcast in 2016, to share the stories and adventures of passionate individuals in the Asian food and beverage scene.Emilie has lived in Shanghai, China for more than nine years. She previously worked at Summergate Fine Wines & Spirits, the Chinese importer founded by Ian Ford, with whom we discussed the China drinks industry more broadly in Season Five of the Drinks Adventures Podcast.Emilie oversees wine programs for top-tier businesses in Asia, including serving as the wine consultant for China Eastern Airlines.And she's also very knowledgeable about Chinese wine and the culture of wine appreciation in China.Emilie joins us to share this knowledge, and also tell us a bit more about Bottled In China. The show is already on my regular rotation, and in fact I'll be making an appearance in the coming weeks, so be sure to tune in and subscribe to Bottled In China, wherever you listen to podcasts.First up in this episode, I asked Emilie how she found her way from Canada to work in the wine industry in China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Peter Lalor is chief cricket writer and beer editor at The Australian newspaper and has been a reporter for over 30 years.In recent weeks, The Australian published Peter's Top 20 Beers for 2020. It's the 17th consecutive year that he's had this honour, so I invited him onto the Drinks Adventures podcast for a chat about this impressive knock, and some of the beers that made this year's list.I couldn't talk to Peter with mentioning the somewhat unusual item on his CV: Purchaser of the most expensive beer in history.And we also touch on his podcasting debut as co-host of the Cricket, Et Cetera program with fellow cricket scribe, Gideon Haigh, and get his thoughts on Australia's upcoming test series against India.Subscribers to The Australian can access Peter's list by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Best known for craft beers including Newtowner Australian Pale Ale, Young Henrys has been operating a distillery in parallel since 2015.However, likely because of the scale of Young Henrys brewing operation, its flagship Noble Cut Gin has flown somewhat under the radar.The company hopes that will change with an improved recipe for Noble Cut that was awarded a Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition earlier this year.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresAlso in 2020, Young Henrys launched the second iteration of its Barrel-Aged Gin along with another expression that looks set to become a permanent fixture in the range, Newtown Strength Gin.The company's new head distiller is Carla Daunton, who started at Young Henrys after previously learning distillation in her previous role at an ethanol facility.First up, you'll hear from Carla how she found her way into brewing and then distilling at Young Henrys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The NSW Wine Awards were created in 1996 to build awareness about the quality of the state's wines.Dave Brookes has been chief judge for the last four years and he joins us in this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresA highly accomplished wine writer and wine judge, Dave was Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial in 2011 and has judged at more than 70 shows globally.The 2020 edition of New South Wales Wine Awards took place in recent weeks and it was Dave's final year at the helm.As such, it's an appropriate juncture to meet Dave and find out what he reckons are some the most exciting wines coming out of NSW today, and other interesting trends and developments in NSW wine.Home to Australia’s oldest continuously operating wine region – the famous Hunter Valley – and exciting new cool climate regions such as Orange, the Southern Highlands and Tumbarumba, NSW produces a hugely diverse array of different wine styles.This is a special episode of Drinks Adventures, produced with the support of the NSW Wine Industry Association.I started by asking Dave how NSW wine has evolved during his tenure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Wine expert Andrew Caillard MW has been a key figure in shaping Australia's fine wine agenda for over 25 years.Andrew is a wine marketing graduate of Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia and he passed the Master of Wine examination in 1993.He founded Langton's, Australia's leading wine auction house, which was acquired by Woolworths in 2009.Since then, Andrew has worked with Pinnacle Drinks, a division of Endeavour Drinks Australia – the Woolworths subsidiary behind retailers such as Dan Murphy's and BWS – as Fine Wine Principal.This year, Andrew published a new book called ‘Imagining Coonawarra’, which tells the story of how Wynns founder John Riddoch pioneered the Coonawarra wine region.I could go on about Andrew's highly decorated career. But today, he's here to talk about the debut of two Australian wines – Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon and Jim Barry The Armagh Shiraz – on the prestigious international wine marketplace, La Place de Bordeaux.I started by asking Andrew why this milestone is so important for Australian wine.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Bartender veteran Jason Crawley has been working with Squealing Pig on the launch of several new gin and wine hybrid products.When I launched this podcast back in 2018, I spoke about the fact that the drinks industry was in a state of flux.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresDrinkers are increasingly enjoying a wider repertoire of different beverages than ever before.And producers are responding with new and innovative products that increasingly blur the lines between beer, wine and spirits.Marlborough, NZ-based winery is owned by Treasury Wine Estates, the company behind Penfolds and Wynns, which have previously featured on this podcast.Squealing Pig Rose is the number one selling rose wine in the Australian market, and the Squealing Pig Pinot Noir is also a strong performer.The company has built on this success with the launch of several new hybrid products in the space of a year; a Rose Gin, a Pinot Noir Gin and now, the ginsecco premixes, which combine the same base gin with Squealing Pig Prosecco and soda in a 250ml slimline can.Jason has an unrivalled perspective on some of these exciting trends we've been speaking about on the Drinks Adventures podcast.He joins us in this bonus episode sponsored by Squealing Pig. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Renowned for its fine wine and craft beer, Victoria's High Country region can now claim whisky among its regional specialties.Backwoods Distilling was founded in 2017 by husband-and-wife team Leigh and Bree Attwood in the small town of Yackandandah.Backwoods' whiskies are produced using 100% Australian farmed and malted grains from Voyager Craft Malt, located across the border in the Riverina region of NSW.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresThey mature their whisky exclusively in barrels that have previously held Australian wine and whisky, where possible using ex-wine casks from local wineries such as Sorrenberg in Beechworth and Scion in Rutherglen.Backwoods' first whiskies – a Rye and a Single Malt – were released in August 2020, with both selling out in less than 24 hours.We meet the Attwoods with Leigh currently preparing to finish up his full-time teaching job in order to focus purely on the Backwoods Distilling business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Distilled craft spirits have taken hold in recent decades, followed by a corresponding boom in premium mixers.Founded in 2004, UK company Fever-Tree was undoubtedly the company that started the latter trend.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresFever-Tree mixers are now sold in over 75 countries globally and the company is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market cap of 2.46 billion pounds.In this episode of the Drinks Adventures podcast, we're joined by Fever-Tree co-founder and CEO, Tim Warrillow.Tim shares with us the story of Fever-Tree's journey from start-up phase with just a single tonic water to something of a global phenomenon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Out now on Netflix, the TV series Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood is the closest you can get to the Oktoberfest in 2020.Six million visitors were expected to descend upon on Munich this year for the festival, originally scheduled to run between September 19 and October 4.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresBut the coronavirus pandemic has meant this is the first year since World War 2 that Oktoberfest – the world's biggest beer festival – has not gone ahead.Oktoberfest: Beer & Blood was a smash hit in Germany, where it was created, and it is now being shown globally by Netflix.The lead character in the series is Curt Prank, whose story is loosely based on the life of a man named Georg Lang, who had an important role in shaping the Oktoberfest as we know it today.Finland-born Hannu Salonen is the director of the series, and he joins us in this opening episode of Season 7 of the Drinks Adventures podcast.I started this episode by asking Hannu how the series was conceived. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Winemaker Louisa Rose is the signatory on Yalumba Wines The Signature 2016, released on October 1, 2020.Since 1966, The Signature Cabernet & Shiraz has honoured individuals who have made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba, one of Australia's most important family-owned wineries.Previously honoured as winemaker of the year by multiple organisations, Louisa joined Yalumba in 1992.She is the current chair of the Australian Wine Research Institute and a Grand Master of the Barossa Valley fraternity, Barons of Barossa.In this episode, you'll hear from Louisa how The Signature ritual began at Yalumba, and the significance of this wine; a Great Australian Red as previously explored with Matthew Jukes on this podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Whisky distillery Joadja draws upon the Spanish backgrounds of its founders, Valero and Elisa Jimenez, maturing its spirit exclusively in ex-sherry wine casks.Their whisky distillery is unique in many respects, not least its location among the ruins of a fairly isolated heritage-listed 1870s mining town in the NSW Southern Highlands.First up in this episode, you'll hear from Valero how it was that he and Elisa found themselves purchasing the 1000-acre property in 2011, and ultimately running a paddock-to-bottle whisky operation on the site.As is the case for many Australian whisky start-ups over recent decades – Joadja Distillery may not have gotten off the ground were it not for the encouragement of industry legend, Bill Lark.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The craft beer movement that has taken hold globally over recent decades has been spearheaded by a single beer style – India Pale Ale.IPA absolutely dominates craft beer in North America, where the movement started, and it has become increasingly popular here in Australia over recent years.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresOne of the brewers who has been in the box seat to witness and help drive that evolution is Richard Watkins founder of Bentspoke Brewing Company in Canberra.Richard has been brewing continuously since 1994. By that I mean he still actively involved in the day-to-day process of making the beer, rather than delegating that to someone else.By his reckoning, that potentially makes him Australia's longest serving brewer.Bentspoke produces a whole host of different IPAs, led by its flagship beer Crankshaft IPA.But this interview coincides with the latest release of Cluster 8, Bentspoke's big, bold Double IPAthat is part of its ‘Drifter’ series of beers that drift in and out of availability each year.A quick note: As regular listeners would well know, Bintani – the brewing and distilling ingredients supplier – is a major sponsor of the Drinks Adventures Podcast.Bintani is also a shareholder in Bentspoke Brewing Company so I just want to disclose that conflict of interest so you don't find out later and think there was anything cynical about this episode, which really isn't the case.Bentspoke is one of Australia's largest independent craft breweries and Richard Watkins was bound to come up as a guest one way or an other.And as someone who has been brewing for as long as he has, I thought Richard was about the best person to answer some questions about the evolution of IPA in Australia:How it's brewed; the different styles of IPA in Bentspoke's range, the continued splintering of this style into many sub-genres; and whether it is always best to drink IPAs as fresh as possible – as we're always told by brewers.Our conversation started with Richard recalling his earliest memories of IPAs in Australia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.NZ wine company Two Paddocks was founded 27 years ago by Sam Neill in the emerging pinot noir hotspot of Central Otago.Better known for his acting, Sam has been a lover of pinot noir ever since he first tasted Burgundy in Europe in the 1970s.He spoke to Drinks Adventures from Sydney prior to setting off for London to reprise his role as Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic World: Dominion, the sixth film in the Jurassic Park franchise.It's been a pivotal few years for Two Paddocks, which Sam tells us is now making the best wines it ever has, and is finally getting the respect it deserves from critics.Settle in and enjoy our wide-ranging interview with Sam Neill.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks Adventures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.Newcastle, 2014: Shawn Sherlock founds FogHorn Brewery.Hunter Valley, 2020: Foghorn takes over the brewery formerly known as Hunter Beer Co at Potters Hotel, in the region better known for its wine.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresThe expansion has been made possible by FogHorn's partnership with Founders First, the craft beverages-focused investment vehicle that listed on the ASX in 2019 and now has stakes in six breweries and three distilleries.This is not the first time FogHorn has opened a second venue. Shawn and I discuss what he learnt from its previous expansion to open a taproom in Erina on New South Wales' Central Coast.And as a veteran brewer with more than 20 years' of industry experience, Shawn reveals some of the beer styles he hopes to champion together with the expert brewers at Hunter Beer Co that have now become part of the FogHorn team.First up though, we got talking about the dreaded C-Word. It wasn't too long before the onset of the pandemic that FogHorn launched its first beers in cans.I asked Shawn whether that had helped FogHorn through this difficult period. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A podcast for lovers of wine, beer, liquor (incl. whisky, whiskey, bourbon, gin, vodka, tequila etc) and cocktails, Drinks Adventures hosts wine makers, brewing and distilling experts, sommeliers, bartenders & more.The sale of McWilliam's Wines following some well publicised financial struggles has sparked debate about private equity's involvement in the wine industry.With a rich history of 143 years, McWilliam's is one of Australia's best known family wine companies. It has operations encompassing a huge variety of different wine styles and wine regions stretching the entire breadth of the country.You may also like:Wine episodes on Drinks AdventuresYou've previously met Scott McWilliam on this podcast back in Season Two when we discussed his unique beer/wine hybrid, the Chardonnay IPA.Scott joins me again this episode, together with his relatives Stephen and Chris McWilliam. All three family members were still working in the business at the time of its recent sale.And Stephen gave me access to some really cool archive material that was enough to tempt me to turn this into a documentary-style episode.If you've been listening to this podcast from the very beginning, you'll know that I've previously experimented with the documentary format, most notably with a really popular episode on the history-making feats of Stone & Wood Brewing Company.That was nearly 18 months ago now, so I've sufficiently recovered to attempt another one.Thanks to the McWilliam family for their candid conversation during what has been a pretty tumultuous time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices