Cooking up a storm in the Barossa

Casa Carboni Italian cooking school is a long-time favourite in the Barossa wine region.

Matteo Carboni's gourmet hub and Enoteca is located n the historic town of Angaston, just under an hour’s drive from Adelaide’s CBD.

It was established in 2012 by the Italian chef and his Australian wife Fiona, after he migrated to Australia from northern Italy in 2011.

It remains family-owned and -operated, Visit Barossa reports in its newsletter.

Matteo offers intimate weekly cooking classes featuring seasonal Barossa produce to create authentic Italian dishes. All classes include a welcome coffee and cake, tuition and a four-course lunch with wine.

Guests can also enjoy Matteo’s  food by booking in for his fresh pasta and vino lunches with a limited daily menu created with local produce such as potato gnocchi with ragu alla Bolognese.

The chef's long table dinners are promoted as a fabulous way to experience his cooking.

Offered on selected Friday nights and for private events, this multi-course chef’s choice menu features seasonal local produce. Bookings are essential.

See https://www.casacarboni.com.au/

An affordable new way to Europe via KL and Istanbul

Looking for an affordable trip from Australia to Europe?

If you don't mind a couple of stopovers, AirAsia is expanding its international connectivity with the launch of its first-ever codeshare partnership with Türkiye’s largest low-cost carrier, Pegasus Airlines, opening up seamless connections between south-east Asia and Europe via Istanbul.

The partnership brings together two LCC powerhouses from Asean and Europe, connecting AirAsia’s extensive network across Asean and Asia with Pegasus’ broad European network through its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub.

What does this mean for Australian travellers?

* Affordable travel from Australia to more than 100 routes between Asia and Europe - kicking off with five European destinations - Stansted (London, UK), Vnukovo (Moscow, Russia), Esenboga (Ankara, Türkiye), Zurich (Switzerland) and Athens (Greece)

* Greater access to destinations across Asean and Europe via the Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen hub.

* Special promo fares for flights from Kuala Lumpur to the first five destinations via Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen, from $276*, all-in-one-way. That can connect from Perth to Kuala Lumpur from $180 or Melbourne from $387 all-in-one-way

* Flexibility to tailor your trip and only pay for the things that matter to you - seat selection, baggage, food and beverage.

# Flights from Australia onwards to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen require a transfer in Kuala Lumpur. I'd stay a night or two.

Book through AirAsia MOVE between September 2-6 for travel from today to March 2027. Fares include passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, other applicable fees, and 20kg checked baggage allowance.

Morris set to release limited-edition flagship whisky

Sometimes you just have to be quiet. 

Like when you taste an outstanding drink that has not been released yet. 

And the distillery had imposed an embargo and you are sworn to silence, much as you'd like to spread the word. 

Morris Australian Single Malt Whisky is releasing its new flagship expression: the Single Barrel Sherry Cask, a whisky drawn from a single ex-sherry cask from Morris of Rutherglen and hand-selected by head distiller Darren Peck and chief winemaker Madden Morris.

The limited-release aims to embody more than 165 years of winemaking heritage, transformed into a single barrel whisky of complexity and character. There will be only 270 bottles available (RRP $298).

The sneak peek I enjoyed recently was full of flavour and super smooth. 

Peck (below) said the release represents a unique whisky experience.



"We selected this specific ex-sherry cask for our Single Barrel release because I wanted to share a whisky unlike anything we've released before," he said. 

"At Morris, we're renowned for our fortified wines, and exploring the potential of this sherry cask has been a project I've loved to nurture and develop over six years of maturation here in Rutherglen. 

"The climate has delivered the perfect maturation conditions, allowing the whisky to develop a level of maturity far beyond its age. The result is an exceptional single barrel whisky with incredible complexity from oak extraction as a result of the unique climate."

Describe by Peck as "bold yet beautifully balanced" the whisky was bottled at a cask strength of 51.8% ABV.

Each bottle is individually numbered and allocated at random.

You can register for exclusive early access from today at morriswhisky.com.

General sales commence on September 15 online and at the Morris cellar door.

So you fancy a serious weekend session by the beach?

Fancy a serious session overlooking one of the most famous beaches in the world?

September will see the return of North Bondi Fish’s Saturday and Sunday Bottomless Brunches, with a refreshed offering following a winter hiatus.

From 12pm each weekend day, guests can settle in for a long, leisurely brunch in the sun overlooking iconic Bondi Beach, with a soundtrack by DJs throughout the afternoon.



Two set menu options ($95pp/$119pp) feature NBF favourites including ceviche tostadas, cured ocean trout, sesame prawn toast and grilled lamb skewers.

Add to that free-flow prosecco, wine and beer to slake the most serious thirsts.

Those looking to make a full afternoon of it can add freshly shucked oysters, fish tacos or cocktail jugs to the mix.

Bookings HERE.

Jetstar flies in to test out new airport

A Jetstar A320 touched down at the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport today, eight weeks out from the first commercial passenger flight on Sunday, October 25.

Landing at 9:30am from Melbourne, the trial flight was part of the lead-up to the official opening of the new facility. 

Jetstar will become the first airline to fly passengers from Western Sydney when flight JQ362 takes off for the Gold Coast at 11am on October 25. 

The airline ran the trial flight alongside the WSI team, with the end-to-end customer experience through the airport also being practiced to ensure a smooth operation from day one of the airport’s opening.

Jetstar chief pilot Tyrone Simes said flying the first service into a brand‑new airport was a  once‑in‑a‑career moment.

“Australia hasn’t opened a major new airport like this in more than 50 years, so this morning was a genuinely exciting milestone for me and the team," Simes said.

“We’re doing this eight weeks out from the first flight deliberately. It gives us time to take what we learned today and build it into our procedures and crew briefings, ensuring everything is fully tested and refined well ahead of launch.

“Today's flight was about getting to know the airport before we carry customers. Crew flew the arrival and departure exactly as they will in October, then worked through the ground side of the operation: the taxi route to the gate, lining up on the aerobridge, and the turnaround that gets the aircraft back out again.

“By the time we carry our first customers from Western Sydney, every element of this operation will be familiar to us - and we can’t wait to share that first flight with them.”

WSI Chief Operating Officer Matt Duffy said the airport’s operational preparation was progressing well, with trial activities on track in the final weeks leading up to the launch of passenger flights.

“Today’s trial flight represents an important part of our ongoing Operational Readiness Program, which is all about preparing our staff, systems and processes to be as match-fit as possible when the airport opens for passengers next month,” he said.

“We have utilised the unique opportunity we have as Australia’s first major greenfield domestic, international and cargo airport in more than 50 years to deliver a highly efficient, sustainable and future-proofed airport. It’s exciting to see that coming to life with these trials in a controlled operating environment before the first commercial flights take to the skies from WSI.”

From opening day, Jetstar will operate up to 14 flights a week between Western Sydney and Melbourne, daily flights to the Gold Coast - up from four a week, following strong demand - and three flights a week to Brisbane.

All services will be flown by Airbus A320 aircraft. 

Image: A dull one supplied by Jetstar

Bowen Estate marks 50 vintages in style

The 50th anniversary red wine releases from family-owned Bowen Estate in Coonawarra are special for two reasons.

Not only do they mark the milestone, but they also pay tribute to late family matriarch, winery co-founder and regional stalwart Joy Bowen, who died in 2024.

The 2024 Bowen Estate cabernet sauvignon and shiraz are also noteworthy for a third reason: at $36 they represent outstanding value for money.

Owned and operated by the Bowen family, Bowen Estate lies towards the southern end of the famous Coonawarra strip.

Started by Doug and Joy Bowen in 1972 with the first vintage in 1975, Bowen Estate is now run by their daughter Emma. 

All their vines are individually hand pruned ensuring maximum grape quality for their tiny range. 

The Bowens don't do reserve wines, single vineyard releases, or special cuvees. Their entire range comprises three wines: the two reds and a chardonnay. They don't do much promotion. Good luck finding them on social media! 

The 2024 releases are exceptional; varietally correct, immediately appealing and delightfully balanced. I think the shiraz is my favourite, but there is only a whisker in it.

"We are proud to be releasing our landmark 50th vintage—an achievement that celebrates not only five decades of exceptional winemaking and grape growing, but also the enduring commitment of our family, whose name has become synonymous with classic Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon and shiraz," says Emma Bowen. 

"The 2024 vintage is one we are immensely proud of, with the wines showing exceptional quality and character."

Well worth checking out. https://bowenestate.com.au/