Booze news: what's been happening this week in the world of wine, beer and spirits

There’s always plenty happening in Australia and New Zealand’s wine, beer and spirits industries. Wineries open up new cellar doors, distillers, brewers and winemakers release limited-edition products, and drinks festivals announce exciting lineups throughout the year. 

Here, we roundup a few of the top things that have happened this week in local wine, beer and spirits spaces. 

4.5-star winery Passing Clouds is up for sale

After owning and running this Victorian winery for over 50 years, the Leith family has decided to sell Passing Clouds. The winery and cellar door, located at Musk – just outside Daylesford in Victoria – is up for sale alongside the property’s five-bedroom home and separate three-bedroom cottage.

Passing Clouds began in Bendigo before being established in the Macedon Ranges almost three decades ago. Founder Graeme Leith then handed over the reins to the next generation 15 years ago: his son Cameron and daughter-in-law Marion.

“Passing Clouds celebrated 50 years last year, and with that milestone came time to pause and reflect for us and our young family," said Cameron and Marion. "We decided that it is time for us to move on to new pursuits. Whilst we will miss this beautiful property, we are excited about our family's next chapter”. Included in the sale is an inventory of wines.

---

Tasmania's NOIR NOIR festival will have you sipping wine and whisky under the stars this June

Tamar Ridge (a leading Tasmanian pinot noir producer) and Turner Stillhouse (a distinguished Tasmanian distillery) are running a one-night-only winter festival NOIR NOIR on Saturday June 21. You can drop by Tamar Ridge’s cellar door from 6.30pm to sample newly released pinot noirs and whiskies while stargazing during the longest night of the year.

Outdoor firepits will keep you warm during the evening, while charcuterie boards can also be purchased for an additional $35 (big enough for two people). Lean into the dark and cold weather this winter by hitting up this unique event down south. 

---

Successful participants have been announced for the 2025 Wine Industry Mentor Program

Fifty-four early and mid-career professionals from across the wine sector in all six states have just been announced as the lucky individuals joining the 2025 Wine Industry Mentor Program. Now in its seventh year, the program supports and inspires future generations of wine industry professionals by offering them mentoring from leaders of the sector from across the supply chain. The program will run over six months, from June to November.

The successful candidates include a broad range of marketers, winemakers, viticulturists, researchers, wine students and wine retailers – adding great value across many sectors of the wine industry. 

---

This top Melbourne restaurant now let's you BYO every Wednesday night

Melbourne’s Cutler & Co is now going BYO every Wednesday night, encouraging diners to bring out their best wines from the cellar. The team is embracing the challenge of pairing your favourite wines with dishes on their menu – making for a one-off experience that you won’t soon forget.  

Cellar Nights will run every Wednesday evening, with a $30 corkage fee applying to regular bottles (this is doubled for magnums). With a Victorian Wine List of the Year under Cutler’s belt, and having hosted many prestigous winemakers in the restaurant over the years, the Cutler wine team will certainly treat your beloved wines with care. 

---

Yarra Yering is releasing its Crowe x George magnums this month

Last year, Yarra Yering released its first Crowe x George magnum wine – a blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot sourced from its famed No.1 Block. It was a collaboration between acclaimed winemaker Sarah Crowe and expert viticulturist Andrew George – resulting in the bottling of just two hundred 1.5 litre magnums.

Following the success of this drop, the duo are set to release their second vintage – the 2019 Crowe x George. Again, only 200 bottles have been made, which have rested undisturbed in their cellar for six years, quietly evolving into something they believe is truly remarkable. On June 12, these will be available to purchase for anyone who bought the first release. Come June 26, those who attend a special release dinner will get the chance to buy a bottle. And then those on the mailing list can get whatever is still left on July 3.

---

Yarra Valley's wine-filled Winter Solstice festival Shortest Lunch returns this year

Shortest Lunch, Yarra Valley’s all-too charming and intimate wine weekend is back from June 21-22. This winter festival unites 13 family-run wineries for two days of cool-climate wines, hearty winter fare, fireside tastings and live music – all in celebration of the Winter Solstice.

Unlike larger wine events, Shortest Lunch offers something slower and more personal – inviting folks to meet the makers behind the cellar doors and discover wines that rarely leave them. From pioneering estates and multi-generational farmers to experimental, minimal-intervention producers, each stop on the trail tells a different story.

---

The 2025 Wynnsday release is headlined by two new wines – including the winery's first varietal cabernet franc

On Wednesday, as happens on the first Wednesday in June every year, Wynns Coonawarra Estate released its Wynnsday Collection. But, unlike in other years, two out of the six wines in the 2025 luxury release are brand new: the 2024 Wynns Black Label Messenger Chardonnay, and the 2024 Limited Edition Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc.

The Black Label Messenger Chardonnay is not the first chardonnay the iconic winery has produced (“We’ve been making chardonnay since 1981,” says senior winemaker Sue Hodder), although it is the first release of this specific wine – and the first time a white wine has ever been included in the Wynnsday line-up. The Cabernet Franc, however, is the first straight-varietal cabernet franc ever made by Wynns. 

---

Become a member to get access to all the Halliday wine and spirit reviews

Sign up to become a Halliday member and unlock a wealth of benefits, including:

- Brand new wine and spirit tasting notes delivered to your inbox weekly
- Digital access to our library of over 180,000 tasting notes from over 4000 wineries and distilleries
- Four issues of Halliday magazine delivered to your door per year
- Member-only articles and stories written by Australia's best wine writers
- Early access to Halliday events across Australia
- Discounted Halliday Wine Club subscriptions
- Free shipping on Halliday wine packs
- Member-exclusive offers from our winery, distillery and retail partners

And much, much more. Become a Halliday member today.

Top image: Shortest Lunch