LG Wine & Liquor has added Hiatus Beers to its growing portfolio, bringing the Australian non-alcoholic beer brand to hospitality and retail customers across North and Central Queensland.

Hiatus was created with a simple proposition: make alcohol-free beer that still feels like beer. Rather than treating the category as an alternative or compromise, the brand has focused on flavour, refreshment and creating beers that comfortably hold their own alongside traditional options.

The range gives venues an increasingly relevant option as more customers look to moderate alcohol consumption without giving up the social experience of enjoying a beer with friends, over lunch or with a meal.

For hospitality operators, that shift has made a strong non-alcoholic offering an increasingly important part of the drinks list, extending choice beyond soft drinks, sparkling water and the handful of alcohol-free products traditionally available.

The addition also complements LG Wine & Liquor’s broader portfolio of independent and premium producers, with the Cairns-based distributor servicing customers from Rockhampton through to Cairns, Weipa, Mount Isa and Longreach.

Hiatus Beers is now available through LG Wine & Liquor.

For range information, pricing, tastings or to add Hiatus to your venue or retail offering, contact Laurie

Hiatus Beers joins the LG Wine & Liquor portfolio

LG Wine & Liquor has added Hiatus Beers to its growing portfolio, bringing the Australian non-alcoholic beer brand to hospitality and retail customers across North and Central Queensland.

Hiatus was created with a simple proposition: make alcohol-free beer that still feels like beer. Rather than treating the category as an alternative or compromise, the brand has focused on flavour, refreshment and creating beers that comfortably hold their own alongside traditional options.

The range gives venues an increasingly relevant option as more customers look to moderate alcohol consumption without giving up the social experience of enjoying a beer with friends, over lunch or with a meal.

For hospitality operators, that shift has made a strong non-alcoholic offering an increasingly important part of the drinks list, extending choice beyond soft drinks, sparkling water and the handful of alcohol-free products traditionally available.

The addition also complements LG Wine & Liquor’s broader portfolio of independent and premium producers, with the Cairns-based distributor servicing customers from Rockhampton through to Cairns, Weipa, Mount Isa and Longreach.

Hiatus Beers is now available through LG Wine & Liquor.

For range information, pricing, tastings or to add Hiatus to your venue or retail offering, contact Laurie or your LG Wine & Liquor representative.

Barossa icon Château Tanunda has landed a Platinum Medal for its 2022 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz at the Decanter World Wine Awards, one of the most influential wine competitions in the world, with more than 16,000 wines judged blind by international experts this year. Platinum medals are reserved for the very best of the field, awarded to less than 1% of entries.

The wine also scored 97 points, following hot on the heels of Château Tanunda’s Top 10 result at France’s Syrah du Monde competition earlier this year. Three more Château Tanunda wines picked up Silver Medals at the same event: the 2024 Grand Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 Old Vine Cabernet-Shiraz, and the 2024 Grand Barossa Shiraz.

It’s a standout result for a producer proud to represent some of the Barossa’s oldest vineyards, and another highlight for Château Tanunda’s award-winning portfolio, proudly available through LG Wine & Liquor across North & Central Queensland.

For more information, or to add Château Tanunda’s 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz to your wine list, contact LG Wine and Liquor directly.

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Calabria Family Wine Group has significantly strengthened its national footprint, securing Australian distribution for leading international brands including Champagne Bollinger and Villa Maria Estate, as part of a major portfolio expansion.

The move follows the integration of House of Fine Wine and The Wine Company into the Calabria network, bringing a portfolio of globally recognised brands under its control across both on-premise and independent retail channels nationally. 

Described by the company as a milestone moment, the expansion reflects Calabria’s long-term strategy to build a premium, internationally relevant portfolio. Sales and Marketing Director Andrew Calabria noted that the deal brings together “like-minded businesses” and strengthens the group’s ability to represent world-class wines in the Australian market. 

The addition of Champagne Bollinger, one of France’s most historic and prestigious Champagne houses, alongside New Zealand’s Villa Maria, a globally recognised producer of cool-climate wines, signals a clear move into a more premium and internationally diversified offering.

From April 2026, selected brands from the newly integrated portfolio will be available through Calabria’s national distribution network, ensuring continuity of supply and strengthened market support. 

With this expansion, Calabria Family Wine Group further cements its position as one of Australia’s leading family-owned wine businesses, combining heritage, scale and a growing portfolio of globally respected producers.

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Explore the expanded portfolio

Bollinger, Villa Maria and the broader Calabria range are available through LG Wine & Liquor. To learn more or place an order, contact your LG Wine & Liquor representative or get in touch with our team today.

Premium Barossa Valley producer joins local distributor’s growing portfolio

LG Wine & Liquor is proud to announce the addition of Gibson Wines to its curated portfolio of premium wine offerings across Far North and Central Queensland. Founded by winemaker Rob Gibson, Gibson Wines is one of the Barossa Valley’s most respected boutique producers, blending traditional methods with modern flair.

The partnership reflects LG Wine & Liquor’s commitment to bringing the best of Australian wine to regional hospitality venues, ensuring that even the most remote locations can access exceptional drops.

“We’re thrilled to bring Gibson’s outstanding wines to more Queenslanders,” said Laurie Greenwood, founder of LG Wine & Liquor. “Their commitment to quality and their story-driven approach to winemaking fits perfectly with our philosophy.”

Among the first bottles to roll out across LG’s client network are The Dirtman Shiraz, the aromatic Discovery Road GSM, and Gibson’s elegant Riesling – all showcasing the depth and terroir of the Barossa.

This partnership further cements LG Wine & Liquor’s position as a leading regional distributor, providing premium products and local support to independent bottle shops, hotels, and restaurants from Cairns to Townsville and beyond.

To find out how to stock Gibson Wines, contact the LG Wine & Liquor team today.

In an extraordinary partnership bridging two Australian icons, Ricky Ponting, one of the country’s most celebrated cricketers, and Ben Riggs, an award-winning winemaker, have combined their mastery to create Ponting Wines. This collaboration embodies dedication, achievement, and a shared pursuit of excellence.

Launched with its first vintage in early 2020, Ponting Wines brings together premium fruit from Ricky’s home state of Tasmania and the renowned wine regions of South Australia, where Ben Riggs has honed his craft. Riggs, known for his uncompromising approach to quality, oversees the winemaking process at his state-of-the-art McLaren Vale winery, capable of producing over 500,000 dozen bottles of premium wine annually.

In a short time, Ponting Wines has garnered acclaim from esteemed wine critics and international competitions, including a Platinum award at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards. For Ricky Ponting, this rapid success is humbling:

“It’s extremely exciting for us to see our wines from Tasmania and South Australia gain such international recognition. It’s a chance to share our passion on a global scale,” Ponting said.

A Collaboration Rooted in Legacy

Ricky Ponting’s illustrious cricketing career set an unparalleled standard for excellence. Making his first-class debut at 17, Ponting became Australia’s most successful cricket captain, leading his team to a historic five-nil whitewash in the 2006/07 Ashes series. With three World Cup wins under his belt and a career record as Australia’s leading run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket, his transition to winemaking reflects the same commitment and precision that defined his time on the pitch.

These days, Ponting is as celebrated for his sharp cricketing insights as a commentator as he is for his accomplishments as a sportsman. But his role as co-founder of Ponting Wines allows him to channel his drive into a new realm, crafting wines that mirror his life’s journey.

A Team of Visionaries

Ponting Wines benefits from the diverse expertise of its four co-founders, each bringing a unique passion to the table:

• Rianna Ponting, Ricky’s wife, contributes her unwavering dedication to family and community. As co-founder of the Ponting Foundation, which has raised over $10 million for children’s cancer causes, Rianna pours that same commitment into growing Ponting Wines into a family achievement to be proud of.

• Ben Riggs, known affectionately as “Mr. Riggs,” is a winemaker with over 35 years of experience. He has consulted with more than 25 wineries and founded his own acclaimed label, Mr. Riggs Wine Co., in 2001. His philosophy—creating rich, complex wines with finesse and elegance—guides every bottle of Ponting Wines.

• David Krenich, with decades of experience in the luxury liquor industry, brings a deep understanding of the fine wine consumer. His tenure with Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy has equipped him with the insight and networks to elevate Ponting Wines onto the world stage.

Wines Crafted with Purpose

Each Ponting wine is a tribute to moments in Ricky’s life, meticulously crafted by Ben Riggs to embody flavour, structure, and complexity. The collaboration is as much about celebrating their achievements as it is about creating accessible yet premium wines that reflect the essence of Australia’s finest vineyards.

This new chapter in Ricky Ponting’s storied career shows that his dedication to excellence isn’t limited to the cricket pitch. With Ponting Wines, he and his team have created something extraordinary—a collection that marries tradition, passion, and innovation.

As Ponting Wines continues to expand its reach internationally, it promises to bring a taste of Australia’s finest to tables worldwide, offering a toast to excellence in every bottle.