The Grapevine: Wine industry updates from South Australia
In this edition of The Grapevine, Applewood Distillery gets a Bottle Shock, Chapel Hill’s art prize judges are revealed and major leadership changes at top wine businesses.
- SA artists judging Chapel Hill’s inaugural art prize announced
- Applewood Distillery becomes Bottle Shock
- Nearly’s new niche
- Everything by-the-glass at Jennie
- What does Ricky Gervais drink on tour?
- Lion CEO moves to Treasury Wine Estates
- Vinarchy appoints CEO after merger
- Applications open for Best of Wine Tourism Awards
SA artists judging Chapel Hill’s inaugural art prize announced
Adele Siluzas, Maria Zagala and Michael Fragos have been announced as the judges for McLaren Vale winery Chapel Hill’s inaugural Horizons Art Prize.
The $5000 acquisitive art prize invites artist to interpret the local landscape and show their vision for the state’s future.
The new judges span both art and wine, with Siluzas the visual arts curator at The Mill Adelaide, Zagala is a curator at the Art Gallery of South Australia, while Fragos is the chief winemaker at Chapel Hill.
Shortlisted works will be exhibitated at Chapel Hill during the South Australian Living Arts Festival (SALA), with the winning piece to be added to the winery’s permanent collection and displayed in the winery chapel.
“Chapel Hill is defined by its spectacular surroundings,” Fragos said.
“Every day we take inspiration from the beautiful landscape, the views back over McLaren Vale and the coast as well as the shimmering sunsets.”
For more details and to submit your works, click here before 14 July, 2025.
Applewood Distillery becomes Bottle Shock
Applewood Distillery, located in Gumeracha, has been revamped as Bottle Shock – the wine bar embodiment of the YouTube channel under the same name.
In this rebrand, the team – which includes Unico Zelo founder and 40 Under 40 alumni Brendan Carter – has created a non-intimidating setting to learn about wine.
“It transforms the often-intimidating world of wine tasting into a fun, engaging, and educational experience,” Carter said.
After softly opening in April this year, Bottle Shock is officially opening this Friday.
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Bottle Shock is located at 24 Victoria St., Gumeracha.
Nearly’s new niche
Hindley Street wine bar Nearly is the latest hospo business to launch its very own fashion line.
That might be a reach – it’s just two tees and a cap – but The Grapevine is always here for looking good while drinking wine.
Get yours from the bar (179 Hindley Street) while they last.
Everything by-the-glass at Jennie
Jennie Wine Bar at Peel Street is one of five Australian venues nationally taking part in the Coravin World Tour, meaning they’re making every bottle on their wine list available by-the-glass until the end of the month.
Coravin offers by-the-glass tools that keep bottles fresh and aerate the wine while being poured.
“We’re really excited by this opportunity to have everything on offer because while the list is full of classics, we spend a lot of time finding little, small producer gems; whether that be wines from lesser-known islands on the Mediterranean or those up-and-coming wine regions that people don’t quite know yet,” Jennie Wine Bar director Scott Taddeo said.
“It’ll be nice to be able to pour out glasses of these kind of things and showcase the world of wine in all its glory.”
Q: What does Ricky Gervais drink on tour?
A: South Australian wine.
The controversial comedian posted his rider to Instagram, which included a bottle of Château Tanunda Grand Barossa Shiraz 2022.
The $25 bottle of wine is paired with a packet of KP nuts and fruit, which Gervais said was “lit… all wrong”.
The winery said the response to Gervais’ post was “huge”.
“Print media, radio and tv have been onto it, along with our own customers jumping on the website or seeking the wine out,” the winery said on Instagram, confirming it was not a paid product placement.
“As a family-owned winery we are incredibly grateful for the response.
“Australian wine appreciates any good news stories we can get at the moment.”
The 2023 vintage is available now via the Château Tanunda website.
Lion CEO moves to Treasury Wine Estates
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Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has appointed Sam Fischer as CEO and managing director.
TWE said Fischer was chosen after an extensive global search, adding that he has more than 30 years of international experience in the alcoholic beverages, consumer goods and luxury brands sectors.
Fischer is currently the CEO of Lion (owned by Kirin Group), where he has been for the past three years.
Before this, he spent 15 years in various roles at Diageo, including as president of the Asia Pacific region and global travel, as well as being a member of the Global Diageo Executive Committee.
He also spent 15 years at Colgate-Palmolive in sales and general management leadership roles covering Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.
“With over 30 years of global leadership experience, Sam brings proven CEO credentials, exceptional strategic acumen, and deep expertise in alcohol beverages, consumer goods and luxury brand building, accompanied by a strong track record of driving business growth,” said TWE chair John Mullen.
Fischer starts on October 27, 2025 and takes over from Tim Ford, who will depart after 14 years at TWE, including the last five as CEO and managing director.
TWE includes South Australian brands Penfolds, Wolf Blass, Pepperjack and Wynns Coonawarra Estate.
Vinarchy appoints CEO after merger
Danny Celoni has been appointed as CEO of global wine conglomerate Vinarchy, which was formed earlier this year as a merger of Pernod Ricard Winemakers and South Australia’s Accolade Wines.
Vinarchy said Celoni brings to the role more than 25 years of experience in fast-moving consumer goods and global branded beverages.
For the past three years and four months, he has been CEO at Carlton & United Breweries.
Before this, he spent more than five years at PepsiCo, firstly as chief commercial officer and then as CEO.
“On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Danny to Vinarchy. He is a leader who champions a growth mindset and has a strong track record in driving transformational growth and category leadership through exceptional customer relationships,” said current executive chairman Ben Clarke.
“Danny is the right person to lead our business as we capture the opportunities as a global wine leader.”
Clarke will transition to non-executive chairman concurrently with Celoni’s appointment.
Vinarchy includes the Hardys, Campo Viejo and Jacob’s Creek brands among its portfolio.
Applications open for Best of Wine Tourism Awards
Entries for the 2026 Great Wine Capitals’ Best of Wine Tourism Awards are now open.
The awards provide an opportunity for South Australian wine tourism operators and wine producers to put themselves forward to be recognised globally.
Last year McLaren Vale winery Dandelion Vineyards took out the global BOWT Award for Architecture and Landscape.
“The Best of Wine Tourism (BOWT) Awards celebrate innovation and excellence in wine tourism throughout the greatest wine regions in the world and are a wonderful opportunity for our local wine tourism businesses to showcase their products and promote our state as a must-visit destination, not just for a top drop, but for unforgettable experiences,” state Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said.
“I encourage all South Australian wine tourism operators to apply.”
For more information and to enter the 2026 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards click here.
The Grapevine is a regular column for InDaily, providing quick news for people interested in, or involved in, the South Australian wine industry and those who love a local drop. Get in touch by emailing us at [email protected]
