Hanging with Australia's finest

It's a good week when two of Australia's most talented winemakers are in town.

That was the case recently when Penfolds' Peter Gago and Yalumba's Jane Ferrari were in Calgary.

Gago is the chief winemaker for Penfolds, and a tireless ambassador for the winery. His knowledge and relaxed demeanour make him one of the most charismatic wine educators in the business. When he's not overseeing Penfolds' considerable array of wines, he's on the road conducting re-corking clinics and hosting Rewards of Patience tastings.

Wine giant cuts assets

The restructure of its Australian operations announced by the world's largest beverage company Constellation Wine Australia could be just the start of a glut of wine industry assets on the market by the end of this year.

The company will be putting three of its winemaking facilities on the market, valued at about $200 million, rationalising its packaging operations, increasing prices, cutting its workforce and shedding about a third of the labels under its brand names.

At the same time, another beverage giant, Foster's Group, is also reviewing its Australian wine operations and there is speculation in the business media that the industry could be seeing a preview of the outcome.

CWA will be selling its winemaking facilities at Clare and Padthaway in South Australia, and Mount Barker in Western Australia, streamlining its product portfolio and adjusting fruit sourcing requirements to suit.