Mastermind Consulting

28/08/2026

We're thrilled to announce Fiano Festa is back, and for good reason. Last year, wineries across Australia came together to champion the versatility of Fiano and tell a consistent category story. Fiano wines sold out, new distribution was won, and the campaign proved the power of collective storytelling. From a modest investment, with a lot of fun along the way.

The 2025 campaign delivered exceptional results:
⭐️An approximate reach of 2.7 million*
⭐️24.5k social media interactions*
⭐️350 non-social media mentions*
⭐️A 58% increase in Google searches for Fiano wine.

The word is already spreading about this year’s campaign, led proudly by our Queen of Fiano, Corrina Wright from Olivers Taranga

Fiano Festa is an open-invitation campaign for any retailer, winery or venue. Together, we can spread the word about Fiano's versatility, its food-friendly nature and its perfect fit for the Australian climate.

Know a winery who might want to get involved? Tag them or send them our way and we can be sure to fill them in on all the details.

Some more information is also available on our website https://www.mastermindconsulting.com.au/musings/wine-marketing/fiano-festa-2026/ with some testimonials and thoughts from wineries involved last year.



*brand24 tracker

25/08/2026

🍷“The Future of Food (& drink)”🍽️

A fabulous discussion between our own Emily Hay, Cathrine Hosking of Veghead | Veggies Made Delicious, Chris Illman of Bickfords Australia, and led by Tori Dixon-Whittle, CEO Food South Australia last Thursday for SA Small Business Week.

The mood of the room was one of curiosity, the discussion flowing from resilience and bravery, to the importance of consistency, the Google changes (and how to navigate them) nurturing trust, building relationships throughout the supply chain and how to leverage AI without losing the heart of your business.

Emily shared a little of her approach to building strategy with her three Cs: Clarity, Capability and Capacity. Now, she’s considering adding a fourth; Collaboration, because together we are stronger.

Shout out to Cathrine’s point on using AI: don’t deploy AI where you don’t have the expertise to spot where it’s going wrong. 🤯

Thank you to the Office of Small Business, Food SA and SAWIA for the invitation to join this inspiring discussion.

21/08/2026

A wonderful lunch celebrating the Royal Agricultural Society NSW Sydney Royal Wine Show 2026 Trophy winners. Highlights included Peter Bourne, The Wine Man named Wine Communicators of Australia Legend of the Vine and the International Judges Trophy renamed the Matthew Jukes Memorial International Judges Trophy.

It's always a special day in the wine calendar - a wonderful reminder of the collective strength and friendships in our wine community coming together to celebrate agricultural excellence.

Congratulations to the big trophy winners
🏆 Pooley Wines 2024 Syrah winning Tucker Seabrook Trophy for Best Wine of Show and Best Red
🏆Medhurst Wines 2024 Estate Chardonnay - Best White
🏆 First Creek Wines | Hunter Valley 2017 Single Vineyard Oakey Creek Semillon- Len Evans Trophy Best Single Vineyard Wine
🏆 Willunga 100 Wines Blind Spot Blewitt Springs Grenache - Best Small Producer Wine
🏆 Oakridge Wines 864 Close Planted Syrah - Matthew Jukes Memorial International Judges Trophy
🏆 De Bortoli Wines Deen De Bortoli Botrytis Semillon - Best NSW wine

14/08/2026

Book your tickets - this is going to be a wonderful event with our own Emily sharing some valuable thoughts.

PANELLIST ANNOUNCED: Emily Hay of Mastermind Consulting

With a background in hospitality, tourism, visual arts and wine, Emily Hay is a Marketing Strategist and Account Director at Mastermind Consulting, helping brands build marketing strategies that deliver results.

Recognised as a future leader by Wine Australia and the inaugrual Wine Media Cadet with Wine Communicators Australia, Emily has spent more than a decade mentoring, coaching and contributing to industry initiatives. As Chair of Australian Grape & Wine's Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Wine (DEIW) Committee, she is passionate about creating a more inclusive and equitable future for the Australian wine industry.

Emily lives by the words of Rosalynn Carter: "A good leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be."

Join us at the Australian Women in Wine Symposium to hear Emily expand on these insights. 🍷

Book your tickets now! 🔗 https://loom.ly/kthYqnM

Presenting Partner | Global Victoria
Major Sponsor | Plumm Wine Glasses
Session Sponsor | Wine Australia

22/07/2026

Happy Shiraz Wine Day 🍷
It's the sixth annual Shiraz wine day today and we're so proud to celebrate the diversity of Australian Shiraz. Our largest ted grape varietal continues to evolve into a range of styles, made by passionate people who are so committed to making something special for wine lovers to enjoy. So jump on board, use and let's tell the world why there's so much to celebrate.

A special shout out to our amazing clients who continue to push the boundaries and refine their Shiraz wines. We feel so privileged to help tell your stories.

10/07/2026

Nearly a decade working alongside a client, and the relationship becomes something more than the job. You build trust, an understanding of what really matters to them, the values behind the brand. You manage the crises together and celebrate the good times and somewhere along the way, after so many hours working alongside each other it becomes a genuine friendship. It's these long-term relationships we value so much, and hold dear across so many of our client partnerships.

Today we're raising a (teary-eyed) glass to Graeme Hogan, who steps into retirement after more than nine years as National Sales Manager at Best's Great Western - Winery and Cellar Door. In that time, we've built and celebrated more than we can list here (although a few wine of the year accolades with Halliday Wine Companion particularly memorable) and we've been lucky to do it alongside someone whose wisdom, patience and sheer dedication to the brand set the standard for what a great partner looks like. He'll be missed by many, his broad experience crossing brands like Tyrrell's Wines, Constellation, HUGH HAMILTON WINES, Pirramimma Winery before joining team Best's.

This isn't goodbye. There's plenty of good wine still to be shared between us. But today is for celebrating everything you've built, Graeme, and everything still ahead. Congratulations, and enjoy every bit of your family time and all that retirement brings. We’ve loved working with you and wish we were closer today to drink something fabulous together. ❤️

08/07/2026

How does Royal Agricultural Society of NSW celebrate 200 years of agricultural excellence? By giving back to the industry that they have helped champion for almost two centuries - bringing together people to engage in a meaningful discussion about the past, present, and future of Australian wine shows.

This is a project that the RAS Wine Show Committee (which Trish Barry sits on) have been working on for months. An important conversation and a fascinating look at how integral wine shows have been in shaping our industry over time.

Sydney Royal 200: The Wine Show Conversation will be held in Sydney on 31 July, bringing together former Chairs of Judges Iain Riggs AM, Samantha Connew, PJ Charteris, and current Chair Mike De Iuliis alongside a stellar line-up of industry experts, all generously donating their time and expertise, including Toni Paterson, Rob Diletti, Melanie Chester, Lauren Hansen, Sally Evans and international judge Matthew Jukes.

There will be rigorous discussion, a lineup of exceptional wines and a meaningful look at behind the scenes of a wine show.

The four panel discussions will look at the past, present and future of the shows, discuss how to get involved as a judge and how wines are assessed.

If you're a marketer, sales rep, aspiring judge, trade, sommelier, or just love wine, you'll get something out of this symposium and taste a stellar line up of trophy-winning Australian wines as part of the session. Help us spread the word - a day not to miss!

Friday 31 July, 2026. Only 200 tickets available, so get to it... Join in the conversation and help us celebrate 200 years.

Book tickets here -> https://www.universe.com/events/sydney-royal-200-the-wine-show-conversation-tickets-5RTPKL