Wine Australia has announced the resignation of chief executive Andrew Cheesman.

Waiheke Island producer Cable Bay Vineyards is keen to highlight New Zealand's strengths beyond Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir as it relaunches in the UK with a new distributor.

Wine Australia chief executive Andrew Cheesman is stepping down as the organisation prepares to merge with the country's Grape & Wine Research & Development Corporation (GWRDC).

The Brookland Valley Unison range consists of wines such as Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2012, Chardonnay 2012 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2011.

Tasmania's vineyard area "could easily get 10 times bigger," according to winemaker Andrew Pirie as the Australian state embarks on a major push for outside investment.

Chairman George Wahby commented, "I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Wine Australia Board and the sector generally to thank Andrew for his exemplary leadership over the past four years.

Officials in Tasmania are seeking to persuade Champagne houses to invest in their island's potential.

Cameron Hughes Wine, an American negociant that produces, imports and distributes ultra-premium wines, has added a new vintage 2011 New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc - Greenlip - to its portfolio.

Kingston Estate Wines, a South Australia-based family-owned winery, has appointed Young & Rashleigh Wine Merchants (YRWM) as a distributor for its wines in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory.

Australian winery Bleasdale at Langhorne Creek has been partially bought by Australian and Chinese investors.

Australian wineries are proving popular with Chinese buyers keen to ensure their supply of wine.

Neil McGuigan, CEO of Australian Vintage, has called on the UK government to encourage responsible drinking with the creation of an alcohol tax band between 9% and 12% abv.

Two Masters of Wine have thrown their weight behind opposition to subdividing an Earnscleugh property described as premium wine-producing land.

Award-winning Australian wine manufacturer Cassegrain Wines forecasts that its exports to China will double this year, according to managing director John Cassegrain.

Kingston Estate Wines has appointed Young and Rashleigh as its distributor in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Leading wineries are joining forces with Tourism Australia in an effort to raise the profile of the country as one of the world's leading wine tourism destinations.

Winemakers say they are changing the way they market themselves and increasingly turning to social media in the wake of the State Government floating plans to allow supermarkets with a floor plan of more than 400 sq m to sell bottled wine.

A combination of Australian and Chinese investors will buy almost half of Bleasdale at Langhorne Creek - one of Australia's oldest wineries.

Tackling climate change, water restrictions, rising alcohol levels and changing consumer demand will be the focus of a new AUD$2.4m wine production training centre at the University of Adelaide.

McWilliam's Wines has appointed Jim Chatto to the role of chief winemaker, based at Mount Pleasant in the Hunter Valley.