Meet a hotel offering packages designed for seniors

 

People are travelling much older and further than further than they used to, often into their 70s and 80s. 

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney is catering for that market by introducing special room packages designed  exclusively for senior guests aged 60 and above. 

The packages "offer a blend of comfort, indulgence, and warmth" and are available through December 27 (tough luck if you want to celebrate New Year by kicking up your heels). 

The Golden Years Experience is designed for "a relaxed and rewarding city stay" with 15% off the hotel's best available rate for all club rooms and suites, The Fullerton Club Lounge access for two, a welcome amenity and $100 dining credit to use across food and beverage outlets, early check-in and late check-out at 1pm. For reservations or more info see Golden Years Experience | Hotel Offers at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Seniors Winter Warmer includes best available rate on all room categories, a signature 32-layered chocolate cake with two hot beverages of the guests' choosing, and buffet breakfast for two at The Place. See Seniors Winter Warmer | Hotel Offers at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Some will see these offers as kind, others (particularly The Golden Years deal, as patronising. You decide. 

Victorian wine pioneer dies at age 86

Victorian wine pioneer Graeme Leith, co-founder of Passing Clouds, died this week at the age of 86.

His death was anmounced on the winery Facebook page. 

Leith, co-founder and winemaker until 2007, will be celebrated at Passing Clouds Winery in Musk, outside Daylesford, on May 15 at 3pm.

Former electrician and polymath Leith and his partner Sue Mackinnon hand-planted Passing Clouds at Kingower, outside Bendigo, in the early 70s. 

It proved a problematic site, and he and his son Cameron later transferred the whole operation to cool-climate Musk, in the Macedon Ranges.

The Passing Clouds website says: "In the early sixties he worked his way around Europe, finally tasting some superb wine in Italy, and the dye was cast.

"In semi-retirement Graeme finally put pen to paper and began documenting all his stories. In 2015 “Passing Clouds A Winemaker’s Journey” was published.

Leith retired to the Musk vineyard. He was a nice man.  

Passing Clouds is now operated by Cameron Leith and his wife Marion and family and is currently up for sale.   

Image: Passing Clouds, Facebook

So you want to learn about sparkling wine from the best in the business?

Serious about sparkling wine? 

Want to learn more? 

Leading wine educator and Champagne experty Tyson Stelzer is teaming up with Ed Carr (House of Arras), Natalie Fryar (Bellebonne) and Andrew Pirie (Apogee) for the inaugural Tasmanian Sparkling Immersion on November 13-15. 

The quartet will host five intimate masterclasses, two winery visits, barrel tasting and a vineyard visit in the Tamar Valley and Piper’s River, home to some of the best sparkling wines in the world.⁠

⁠The winemakers have a combined experience of a 134 vintages and the weekend will showcase over 50 of their finest cuvées spanning three decades, alongside some other great sparkling wines of Australia, Champagne and the world. 

Along with three days of tastings and visits, there will a gala dinner, a cocktail dinner, brunch and two lunches at Evenfall, where Apogee and House of Arras will pair their wines with local Tasmanian produce.⁠

⁠The weekend is limited to just 33 guests. 

For more details check out https://www.tysonstelzer.com/tasmanian-sparkling-immersion-13-15-november-2026/

Perth to welcome new hotel brands

Perth is a hive of hotel activity.

The Radisson Hotel Group this week announce the signing of Radisson Perth (above), an upscale hotel in the Sydney Charles Quarter (SCQ) precinct in West Perth.

The opening later this year will mark the debut of the Radisson brand in Western Australia.

Developed by APPL Group and operated by Mandala Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Perth will form a key part of SCQ, a mixed-use development designed as a "connected village" that brings together residential, commercial, and lifestyle elements.

The hotel will feature 120 rooms and studios, complemented by a rooftop bar and restaurant, meeting spaces, and a swimming pool.

"We're delighted to bring the Radisson brand to this exciting precinct," said Danilo Curcuruto, director of development, Australasia, Radisson Hotel Group.

"Radisson Perth is a strong addition to our growing presence in Australia and reflects our focus on partnering with high-quality developments in key urban locations."

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Ovolo Hotels, meanwhile, are set to launch The Bennett by Ovolo Perth a Wyndham Hotel. A very clumsy name.

The 111-key hotel is slated to open in 2028, with the signing announced at AHICE Global Hotel Industry Conferences.

New wines come with a serious pedigree

Barely a week goes by without someone launching a new wine brand, often with grandiose claims to uniqueness.

This is the second release of wines from the Cat and Frank label - the first time I have seen them - but these newcomers have a serious pedigree behind them.

Cat and Frank are Catia d'Anna and her father Franco, the winemaker behind multiple Yarra Valley labels including Hoddles Creek, Wickhams Road and 1er Yarra Valley, all labels known for quality and value for money. The family also owns highly-rated Boccaccio Cellars. 

Distribution of the 2025 Cat and Frank Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is limited right now - but they will be well worth looking out for at $30 RRP. 

Catia D’Anna (above) has been surrounded by vineyards and wineries all her life.

She completed a science degree and subsided her university lifestyle with working part time in the family's vineyards.

She has completed vintages at Brokenwood Wines and Craggy Range as well as alongside father Franco at Hoddles Creek Estate - learning a few tips and tricks along the way.

Franco is guiding Catia with sourcing select fruit from the Upper Yarra and transferring his winemaking finesse to her one step at a time, their website says. 

The chardonnay has impressively McGrathian line and length and marries impressive clarity with interesting but  subdued textural elements. My wife described it as “not overly fussy but sophisticated” - and poured herself another glass. 

The pinot noir skips along the palate with youthful enthusiasm. This is a lovely cool-climate wine: aromatic with a beguiling balance between fruit and savoury notes. Delightful as a youngster.

See https://www.catandfrankwines.com.au/

Changing of the guard at Hungerford Hill

Hunter Valley wine producer Hungerford Hill dropped a bombshell tonight with news that GM and chief winemaker Brian Currie is departing after close to a decade in charge.

Hungerford Hill and its associated wineries announced the appointment of Pierre Durand to those roles as of June 9, 

Durand (below right) is described in the media release as a "French-born Australian winemaker with strong ties to the Hunter Valley" but many of his recent roles have been in management and sales, including at Endeavour Group as head of sales, at Langton's and at DMG Fine Wine.

 “Iʼm very pleased to be joining Hungerford Hill, Dalwood Estate and Sweetwater Wines at such an exciting time,” said Durand. “The opportunity to return to the Hunter Valley and contribute to its vibrant wine community is incredibly meaningful.

"I look forward to working closely with the vineyard, winemaking and commercial teams to build on the strong foundations already in place.”

Currie, who has been in charge since November 2016 and has a formidable reputation, said: “Pierre brings a combination of wine experience and strong commercial insight.

“His understanding of both production and market dynamics positions him exceptionally well to lead the business into its next chapter.”

The company said in its release: “Bryanʼs contribution to the business and the Hunter Valley more broadly has been significant. 

“His leadership, dedication and commitment to quality have left a lasting imprint on the wines and the team. We thank him for his outstanding contribution and wish him every success in his next chapter.”

Durandʼs appointment marks a return to the region where he trained in viticulture at Kurri Kurri TAFE and had several cellar hand roles.