Winemakers have faced a final hurdle as vintage 2005 draws to a close, particularly in the South West, where recent rain has added a extra dimension to near-completed programs.
The reopening of Jojo’s in two weeks will mark the beginning of a new challenge for restaurateurs Umberto and Christian Tinelli and a fresh focus for the 1980s icon restaurant.
Vintage has entered a new phase at wineries across the Great Southern, with winemakers “moving onto the next stage of the process,” according to Moss Brothers chief winemaker David Moss.
The Wine Industry Association of Western Australia has turned to influential American wine consultant Steve Burns to boost the industry’s disappointing recent export performance.
The owners of Hydrant, the new bar and cafe located opposite the fire station on Hay Street, plan to strike a blow for what they consider to be an entertainment imbalance on the east side of the CBD.
Enigmatic winemaker Janice McDonald, of Suckfizzle and Stella Bella fame, expects the 2005 vintage to be a “really, really good vintage for Margaret River”.
The business lunch has changed. Gone are the days of the three-martini lunch or even the ‘power’ lunch. Perth’s professionals are demanding a new style of dining when they’re doing business, and local restaurants are rising to meet the challenge.
Fresh from his admission to the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association’s hall of fame, Alain Fabrègues says he wants to give new talent a helpful “nudge” in 2005.
The Australian and New Zealand Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine has installed the 2004 Hay Shed Hill Sauvignon Blanc Semillon as the best wine for the variety in its autumn edition with a score of 95/100.
Regular visitors to King Street will have noticed that the old Bien Fine Food cafe (formerly Mezzonine) has been transformed into the lighter and brighter Etro Café Bistro.
Rather than waiting an indefinite amount of time to open its cellar door due to construction near its site, Drakesbrook Wines founder Bernie Worthington decided he would open the
Dairy farmers for the past 80 years and operators of the Great Southern Milk Company, the Ravenhill family is about to undertake a small but significant step in a new direction.
Mark Zoccoli is no stranger to the hospitality industry, having spent about 25 years in the game, primarily managing restaurants including A Room with a View, Observation City and, most recently, six years with popular Mt Lawley cafe Mille.
Frankland River pioneers Merv and Judy Lange have received plenty of offers for their 110-hectare vineyard but they aren’t interested in selling Alkoomi Wines just yet.
The hospitality scene in Northbridge is experiencing a slow revival thanks to a couple of new operators who have upped the ante in both food and service.
