Aussie Wine Chat
Darren Oemcke and Simon West
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Darren Oemcke and Simon West talking current events in wine sales and distribution with weekly guests and a regular panel of Australian wine personalities
Available episodes
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Jul 12, 2022
E45 - Liberation Distribution (LibDib) with Cheryl Durzy
In this episode we catch up with Cheryl Durzy about all USA distribution and particularly the latest developments in self-service distribution through LibDip. Essential listening for anyone distributing in the USA.
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May 30, 2022
E44: Aldi Liquor with Jason Bowyer
This week, Darren and Simon chat to Jason Bowyer - Buying Director of Wine for Aldi Liquor in Australia. In this interesting episode, Jason will explain the thought that goes into creating a successful wine category within one of Australia's fastest growing grocery retailers.
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Apr 20, 2022
Ep 43: Why David Lowe from Lowe Family Wines is going his own way
In this episode, we find out why David Lowe from Orange (in New South Wales) was having a bit of a rant about "the big wine con". Thanks David for being willing to back up the article with an Aussie Wine Chat. The article we are talking about in this episode can be found here.
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Apr 12, 2022
E42: Great content across generations - a bit of a sweary episode with the fabulous Polly Hammond
Where we get into which is the best generation (its not ours), great content and telling stories electronically. Internet polymath, Polly Hammond talks about 5 Forests and taking it global, we all get into differences between generations and then why we don't like generalising about generations. It all comes back to being engaging in modern ways. Brilliant work Polly. 2 out of 3 people on this podcast swear more than is polite.
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Apr 4, 2022
E41: A fine wine time with Pauline Vicard
Where we get into what is fine wine and what consumers are looking for in fine wine. Most importantly we get into what the European fine wine world means for Aussie wine, because its all about us. A fascinating and sometimes disturbing conversation with the erudite and very cool Pauline Vicard. make sure you sign up the ARENI Global newsletter.
Born and raised into a winemaking family in Burgundy, Pauline has been working in the wine sector for the last 15 years both in Europe and Internationally. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of ARENI Global – a global research and action institute for the future of fine wine.
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Mar 28, 2022
E40: The Low-down on Low and Zero Alcohol Beverages with Ellie Vince
Simon and Darren get the low-down on the low and zero alcohol beverage categories from expert Ellie Vince, the Brown Family Wine Group’s Chief Marketing Executive.
Simon, Darren and Ellie discuss the growing non-alcoholic drinks scene in Australia, tackling the stigma of bringing low and no alcohol drinks to a party, product innovation and everything in between.
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Mar 21, 2022
E39: Thirty Minutes with Matthew Jukes
Simon and Darren are joined by UK-based Wine Writer, Matthew Jukes. Matthew publishes a number of comprehensive annual wine reports and also happens to be an Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK. Tune in to hear Matthew’s take on Aussie wines in the UK, the impact of COVID and consumer interest in the environmental performance of producers.
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Mar 14, 2022
E38: The Question Stuart McCloskey Asked His Clients
Stuart McCloskey, founder and director of The Vinorium, makes another guest appearance on Aussie Wine Chat. After talking about the UK tax regime, price increases and Brexit, Stuart shares the story of the time he asked The Vinorium clients ‘what do you want?’ as part of a huge Q&A on wine preferences and buying habits. The answer may (or may not) surprise you!
Find out more about The Vinorium in E27.
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Mar 7, 2022
E37: A Remarkable Woman in Wine: Amber LeBeau
There are brilliant women in wine doing brilliant things. On International Women’s Day, it’s our pleasure to bring you this episode with Amber LeBeau – a woman of remarkable talent. She’s the Manager of VirtualWineEvents.com, Wine Writer behind SpitBucket.net and Co-Founder of Elevage Wine Coaching – an online support network for wine students. In this episode, Amber discusses the trends in wine trade events, capturing the excitement of Millennials and the beginnings of Elevage Wine Coaching.
For a little bit more about Amber’s story, and the biggest influence in her wine career, check out her post Jancis Robinson — The Beyoncé of Wine.
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Feb 28, 2022
E36: Interpreting Wine with Lawrence Francis
Lawrence Francis is the Programme Director and Podcast Host of Interpreting Wine. He's also the king of helping wine brands market themselves online with clarity, confidence and consistency. Darren and Simon have a good chinwag with Lawrence about his journey and approach to marketing!
Discover your Marketing Impact Scorecard here.
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Feb 21, 2022
E35: State of the US Wine Industry with Rob McMillan
Simon and Darren talk to Rob McMillan of the Silicon Valley Bank following the release of the 2022 State of the US Wine Industry report. We talk trends, market changes, generational change and Aussie wine in the US. For anyone interested in the US market or in trends affecting the global wine sector, the 2022 report is a must read and Rob gives us a great highlight (and lowlight) reel.
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Feb 14, 2022
E34: Daniel Navacchi shares everything wineries need to know about freight-forwarding now and in the future
Daniel Navacchi is Now Global Logistics’ Director and Customer Happiness guy. He’s seen a lot during his career in freight-forwarding, but nothing like the challenges currently disrupting global supply chains. Simon and Darren chat to Daniel about what’s happening, when it’s likely to change and how you can work with it.
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Dec 20, 2021
E33: The Vintage Journal and The Australian Ark with Andrew Caillard MW and Angus Hughson
In a return to podcasting after a medium-length hiatus, Simon and Darren catch up with Andrew Caillard and Angus Hughson. We talk all things The Wine Journal, which is designed for all Australian wine producers with a focus on telling a story through their wine (so all of our listeners). We also chat about The Australian Ark project - 3 volumes on the history of Australian wine, told through over 200 years of stories. It will be worth the wait!
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Aug 8, 2021
E32 Vivino
Simon and Darren talk to James Fildes, recently out of quarantine in Tanunda, and ready to work with Australian wine producers on building their sales presence and customer targeting on the Vivino platform.
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Jul 27, 2021
E31: Aussie Wine Chat Meets the FOMENT crew exhibiting at AdvanceAg 2021
Simon and Darren Catch up with 7 of Australia's leading Ag and Wine Tech businesses covering technology from grape harvesting trough to consumer engagement and everything in between. They were all meant to exhibit at South Australia's AdvanceAg Expo with FOMENT last week, but it was postponed due to COVID - so we got them together for a special SA lock-down episode of Aussie Wine Chat. Please meet:
* Matt Cooper: D3Ag in-field weather and crop monitoring
* Abbe Hyde: Winely real-time fermentation analysis
* Chris Braine: Cellr consumer engagement through connected packaging
* Nathalie Taquet: eBottli information management platform
* Grant Baker: Borough Markets hyper-personalised marketing campaigns
* Guy Davidson: Onside rural check-in solution
* Matt Sciancalepore: Aussie Wine Group in-field sorter to remove MOG (nice name)
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Jul 11, 2021
E30: David Cumming discusses the cellar door sales boom and post pandemic sales strategies
David Cumming is the owner of 'Define Wine Marketing' and a boutique wine retail shop 'The Lane Cellars' in Orange, NSW. We chat to David about the boom in regional cellar door visitations and sales, future sales strategies wineries should consider when thinking of a ‘post pandemic’ world and the brand risks associated with substituting wine from other regions amongst their portfolio.
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May 3, 2021
E29: Ashley Ratcliff on His Journey to Premiumize SA's Riverland with Alternative Varieties
This week, we're joined by Ashley Ratcliff of Ricca Terra to chat about his unique brand, delivering us alternative Mediterranean varieties.
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Apr 26, 2021
E28: Mike Hayes on the Effects of Climate, Covid and China on the Queensland Wine Industry
This week, Simon and Darren chat to Queensland wine icon, Mike Hayes. He lets us in on why Queensland is making some of the best wine in the world, and how the industry has been coping with the climate, Covid and China crises.
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Apr 19, 2021
E27: The Vinorium and Their Journey to Being UK's Aussie Wine Specialists
This week we catch up with Staurt and Magda from the UK's best Australian wine specialist, The Vinorium, about their journey to being an Aussie wine powerhouse, what they have learned along the way and what they can share about selling Australian wine in the US and UK.
Vinorium were voted 'Best Australian Specialist' by Decanter in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
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Apr 12, 2021
E26: Wine Authentication, Track and Trace and Direct to Consumer Marketing with Cellr Founder, Chris Braine
We're joined by founder of wine tech start-up, Cellr, Chris Braine, to talk wine authentication, track and trace and direct to consumer marketing.
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Mar 16, 2021
E25: A Full Run Down of The Export Market Development Grant with Stuart Mitchell
Stuart Mitchell of Mitchell and Co joins us for a full run down of the past, present and future of the Export Market Development Grant (EMDG). The EMDG is an Australian Federal Government initiative to assist exporters with accessing new markets and grow existing ones.
More information on the EMDG available at: https://www.austrade.gov.au/Australian/Export/Export-Grants
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Mar 11, 2021
E24: A Deep Technical Dive into VirtualWineEvents.com Data with Amber LeBeau
Amber has a RedBull and we get talking about creating brilliant virtual wine events – a deep technical dive into VirtualWineEvents.com data.
Data Insights PDF
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Mar 11, 2021
E23: A Yank's View of Aussie Wine in the UK, What US Consumers are Looking for in Aussie Wine, and the Future of Virtual Wine Events with Amber LeBeau.
Simon and Darren catch up with Amber LeBeau for a Yank’s view of Australian wine in the UK, what US audiences are looking for and what Australia has to offer there and of course the future of virtual wine events.
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Mar 3, 2021
E22: Implications of US Wine Data on Aussie Producers with Paul van der Lee
We're joined by Wine Business Expert and Educator, Paul van der Lee, to discuss some recent findings in the Silicon Valley Bank State of the Wine Industry Report among other resources. It's no secret that there has been a massive shift towards digital. We discuss what this means for Aussie producers as well as some other interesting market trends.
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Feb 24, 2021
E21: How Pix Are Unlocking the Future of Wine
Pix Wine CEO, Paul Mabray, and Chief Content Officer, Erica Duecy, join Darren and Simon to chat about the new wine discovery platform and the digital wine space. Pix are disrupting the high fee marketplace model and providing a free platform for suppliers to be connected directly to consumers through informative content that assists in the purchase decision.
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Feb 16, 2021
E20: About Last Year... 2021 Through the Looking-Glass
In this episode, Darren and Simon reflect on the year of 2020 and how things have changed for the wine industry. They look into the effects of COVID, the China tariffs, climate change and a host of things that brought us to our knees in 2020. Darren and Simon grab their crystal ball for this episode and look into what we can expect for 2021.
Don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram @aussiewinechat.
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Dec 6, 2020
E19: Climate, Corona and China: Darren and Simon Look Back on the Big Changes of 2020
In a year that can be summed up with three Cs: Climate, Corona and China, the Australian wine industry has seen a fair bit of pain. In wake of Australian Wineries losing their vineyards in fires, taking a huge hit to their on-premise sales and now facing extreme challenges with their biggest export market, what has shone through has been the strength and resilience of the industry. Darren and Simon look back on the big changes of the year to wrap up season 3.
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Dec 3, 2020
E18: Tony Battaglene on the Current State of Trade in China
In this episode we speak with Tony Battaglene, the Chief Executive at Australian Grape and Wine. Tony speaks to us about the facts of the current state of trade with China.
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Nov 30, 2020
E17: Sarah Marquis of Mollydooker Wines on how They Survived the GFC to Thrive in the US Market
In this week's episode, we're joined by Owner and Chief Winemaker of Mollydooker Wines, Sarah Marquis, who shares her secrets for success in the US market and virtual events.
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Nov 18, 2020
E16: Jane Thomson from the Fabulous Ladies Wine Society and Australian Women in Wine Awards
in this episode, Darren Oemcke and Simon West speak to Jane Thomson from the Fabulous Ladies Wine Society and Australian Women in Wine Awards. Jane gives us insight into the Fabulous Ladies Wine Society and what it takes to create a successful online event, given the current implications of COVID-19.
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Nov 9, 2020
E15: Bibi Jellema and Paul Rowsthorn of Airguides on How Wineries Can Connect More with the Tourism Industry
In this episode, we're joined by Bibi Jellema and Paul Rowsthorn of Airguides who give us a run down of their business, how the food and wine sector can connect more with tourism, and how consumer behaviour of travellers is changing.
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Oct 26, 2020
E14: Wine Writer, Author and Judge, Jeni Port, on What Makes a Good Wine Story
This week we're joined by Melbourne-based wine writer, author and judge, Jeni Port, who chats to us about going beyond the press release to deliver interesting and engaging brand stories to your consumers.
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Oct 19, 2020
E13: Great Traveller and Wine Storyteller, Jane Ferrari, on How to Make Your Wine Story Stick
S3E2 Join us with Jane Ferrari as we explore storytelling, whilst on a trip spreading fairy dust around the world. Manhattan, Nashville, Dublin, Longreach, Scotland Yard and Quebec with detours to Chester Osborn and Hugh Grant. Stay for the end for a verse of Queen of the Road.
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Oct 12, 2020
E12: Craig de Blois of Noble Estates Wine and Spirits on the Role of Agencies in the Ontario Market
S3E1 In this week's episode, we're joined by President of Noble Estates Wine and Spirits, Craig de Blois. Craig gives us the run down on the wine market in the province of Ontario, how sales and distribution through the LCBO works, and how agencies such as his are the critical link in the supply chain.
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Sep 29, 2020
E11: Richard Sloane: Head of Business Development - eCommerce and Specialty at Endeavour Drinks Group
S2E11 Richard chats to us about the Australian 'Endeavour Marketplace' online platform (Dan Murphy, BWS and Langtons) as well as what it takes to be successful with your brand online.
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Sep 20, 2020
E10: Matt Wilson: One of the Wine Industry's Great Visual Story Tellers
S2E10 In this week's episode we are joined by talented wine photographer and videographer, Matt Wilson. Matt chats to us about how he got into the industry, how he captures such interesting and engaging photos, and the importance of portraying an exciting and memorable brand story.
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Sep 14, 2020
E9: Mitchell Taylor of Taylors Wines on Domestic Sales, Exports, Tourism, Digital Consumer Messaging and Sustainability
S2E9 In this week's episode we are joined by Taylors Wines' Managing Director, Mitchell Taylor. We chat to Mitchell about domestic sales, exports, tourism, digital engagement and consumer messaging as well as the importance of environmental sustainability.
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Sep 10, 2020
Archive Episode: Darren Oemcke and Simon West interview three of our favourite millennials (25 May, 2020_
On this episode we chat to three millennials in the wine marketing world: Noah Ward, Brand coordinator at Unico Zelo in the Adelaide Hills; Sean Jolley, Marketing Consultant at Hydra Consulting and Angela Oemcke , Marketing Specialist at Cellr on all things millennials and wine. One from the pre-podcast Zoom Chat archive.
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Sep 8, 2020
Archive Episode: Darren Oemcke and Simon West interview Simon Rowe from Sip'n'Save on (1 June, 2020)
We chat all things retail during the first period of Covid lockdowns with Simon Rowe General Manager SA and NT for the Sip'n'Save group. One from the pre-podcast Zoom Chat series.
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Sep 6, 2020
E8: Robin Shaw of Wine Tourism Australia on Seated Tastings, Creating Valuable Experiences and Nurturing Local Customer Bases
S2E8 In this week's episode we are joined by founder of Wine Tourism Australia, Robin Shaw, who works with wineries, tourism operators and regions to maximise their destination appeal. Robin outlines how the shift to seated tastings are providing great opportunities for wineries. We also chat about the importance of nurturing relationships with local customer bases, creating valuable experiences, and virtual wine events.
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Aug 31, 2020
E7: Ben Stender of Bottle Diplomacy on Importing Into the US and the Current State of the US Market
S2E7 In this week's episode we are joined by president of Bottle Diplomacy, Ben Stender. Ben outlines the complicated legal barriers of importing wine into the US and how he helps exporting businesses get their wine to American consumers. We also chat about the current state of the US market and changing consumer behaviour.
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Aug 24, 2020
E6: Emma Marks of Deconstruct Digital on Digital Media Opportunities for Wineries
In this week’s episode we are joined by Managing Director at Deconstruct Digital, Emma Marks. We chat about the digital deficit in the wine business and how Covid-19 has provided growing opportunity in the digital space. Emma covers Social media, geo-advertising, SEM and EDM, and highlights the importance of entertaining, engaging and informing audiences.
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Aug 16, 2020
E5: Tony Battaglene of AGW on trade, health, environment and tech
In this weeks episode we are joined by Tony Battaglene who is the Chief Executive at Australian Grape and Wine. We discuss trade, health, environment and tech.
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Aug 10, 2020
E4: Rachel Triggs and Scott Evers on IP, authenticity and engaging with consumers on bottle
In this weeks episode we talk provenance, consumer engagement and brand protection in international markets.
Our guests are *Scott Evers* from Wine Provenance, a leading world expert in wine fraud detection and *Rachel Triggs*, former winemaker, General Counsel and General Manager of Market Access for Wine Australia.
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Aug 9, 2020
Bonus Episode: Darren Oemcke and Simon West interview Matt Bahen (13 May, 2020)
Bonus Episode: We catch up with Matt Bahen from DeBortoli Wines to talk all things China during Australia's first COVID-19 lockdown.
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Aug 6, 2020
Bonus Episode: Darren and Simon interview Richard Beere and Jing Cao (20 May, 2020)
Bonus Episode: Darren and Simon catch up with Asia market specialists Jing Cao from Chinese Language & Cultural Advice and Richard Beere from Fastrak Asian Solutions. This conversation is an early look at the many changes that COVID-19 caused in East Asian market dynamics, with a focus on China.
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Aug 5, 2020
E2: Simon, Darren with Chris Kammer on logistics into the USA
This week we talk to Chris Kammer, CEO of Access Wine Services about all aspects of logistics into the USA in a pre-record (see the bonus episodes for the full interview). The live audience join in to discuss the last weeks happenings in wine and more.
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Aug 5, 2020
E3: Simon and Darren with Rob Parsons of the Wallaroo Marina Hotel
This week our guest is Rob Parsons, Director of RJJ Investments - owners of the Wallaroo Marina Hotel on South Australia's Yourke Peninsular and former owner of Treasury on King William in Adelaide. We talk COVID, post-lockdown tourism and the short-term future of hospitality. As usual our live guests get involved in the discussion.
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Aug 4, 2020
Bonus Episode: Darren interviews Amber and Beth Lebau about Virtual Wine Events (June 14, 2020)
Bonus Episode: Beth and Amber founded virtualwineevents.com during the 2020 COVID-19 European lockdowns. We were keen to hear their insights about the world of virtual wine events to better understand how wine businesses can develop and distribute virtual tastings as a product.
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Aug 2, 2020
Bonus Episode: Jing Cao interviews Simon West at the South Australian Branch of the Australian China Business Council (July 30, 2020)
Bonus Episode: The South Australian Branch of the Australian China Business Council interviewed Simon as part of their 'Recovery, Reset and Refocus' Zoom meetings program. Simon talked story about industry trends and selling wine, food (and other things) in China.
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Jul 31, 2020
Bonus Episode: Chris Kammer on shipping wine to the USA from around the world interviewed on July 31,2020
Bonus Episode: Chris Kammer, CEO of Access Wine Services talks to Simon and Darren about all aspects of shipping wine into the USA.
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Jul 30, 2020
E1: Nikki Palun of Octtava Wines on making wine for China
Nikki Palun talks to us about what is happening to Aussie wine in China from the perspective of Octtava Wines with their focus on making wines from the Pyrenees and Mornington Peninsular for the China market as well as her view of the whole of the Australian sector in China.
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