In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, respected wine critic and educator Philip Rich reflects on his decades-long journey through the Australian and global wine landscape. Drawing on his early days in wine retail, including co-founding Prince Wine Store, Philip shares insights into the evolution of wine knowledge and the challenges of modern wine sourcing. He unpacks what makes Burgundy so compelling, the nuances of pinot noir, and the delicate balance required in curating a successful wine list. The conversation is rich with personal stories, professional learnings, and thoughtful observations on tasting and judging wine in different contexts. 

Connect with us:

• Philip Rich on Instagram
• About Philip Rich
• Wine Companion on Instagram
• Halliday Wine Companion
• Halliday Wine Club
• LANGTONS

Key Takeaways:

• Philip Rich began his wine career in the early 1980s at Crittendens Fine Wine Merchants.
  
  
• Over time, wine professionals and consumers have become significantly more informed.
  
  
• Restaurant wine lists are now considered just as important as the food menu.
  
  
• Sourcing wine has become increasingly difficult due to market and production shifts.
  
  
• Burgundy is revered for its clear expression of terroir, particularly through pinot noir.
  
  
• Wine buying requires an understanding of both consumer tastes and industry trends.
  
  
• A strong wine list balances customer satisfaction with profitability.
  
  
• Wine shows now serve as marketing platforms and provide critical feedback for producers.
  
  
• Effective wine tasting involves both sensory skill and situational context.
  
  
• Vertical tastings and personal experiences deepen wine understanding.
  
  

Chapters:
00:00 Philip Rich's Journey into the Wine Industry
03:00 Evolution of Wine Knowledge and Industry Changes
06:05 Sourcing Wines: Past vs Present
09:02 The Allure of Burgundy
12:04 Pinot Noir: A Unique Expression of Terroir
14:59 The Role of a Wine Buyer
17:52 Creating a Balanced Wine List
22:03 Judging Wines: Show vs Review
24:48 The Impact of Wine Shows on Producers
27:46 Tasting Mechanics and Wine Education
31:44 Personal Wine Preferences and Experiences

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In the first episode of the new and improved Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Halliday editor and host Anna Webster speaks with Melanie Chester, head winemaker at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley. We celebrate Giant Steps being named the 2025 Winery of the Year, discuss the importance of terroir, and the inspiration behind the new Circle of Fifths range. Mel also shares insights into wine judging, the art of blending, and how music plays a role in their winemaking process. The episode closes with a look at quality control, future plans for Giant Steps, and a rapid-fire segment on Mel’s personal wine preferences.

Connect with us:

• Giant Steps
• Halliday Wine Companion Awards
• Circle of Fifths Wine Range
• Giant Steps on Instagram
• LANGTONS
• Wine Companion on Instagram
• Halliday Wine Companion
  
  

Key Takeaways

• Melanie Chester’s journey from South Australia to the Yarra Valley
• Giant Steps winning Winery of the Year 2025
• Judging experience as a tool for refining winemaking skills
• The role of terroir in shaping Yarra Valley wines
• Circle of Fifths as a celebration of single vineyard wines
• Blending as both a creative and technical process
• Music as a unique part of Giant Steps' winemaking philosophy
• The difference between single-vineyard wines and blends
• The importance of quality control at every stage of production
• Giant Steps’ plans for vineyard expansion and future growth
  
  

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast
00:52 – Melanie Chester's Journey in Winemaking
02:21 – Winning Winery of the Year: Giant Steps' Achievement
05:10 – The Role of Judging Experience in Winemaking
07:00 – Understanding Terroir: The Unique Vineyards of Yarra Valley
10:09 – The Circle of Fifths: A New Wine Range
13:59 – The Art of Blending Wines
18:21 – The Influence of Music in Winemaking
20:09 – Single Vineyard vs Blended Wines
23:02 – Tasting and Quality Control in Winemaking
26:24 – Future Aspirations for Giant Steps
32:15 – Quickfire Questions with Melanie Chester

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, leave a review, and share it with fellow wine enthusiasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 17: Rowly Milhinch, Scion, Rutherglen

Rutherglen is one of Australia's oldest wine regions.

Grapevines came to the region in the 1850s during the gold rush and Rutherglen, as many of you will already know, became Australia's unchallenged capital of fortified wines.

The future of regions like Rutherglen rely heavily on either new blood moving in or subsequent generations, from existing wine families, continuing to carry those legacies into the future.

Rowland Milhinch, known as Rowly about town, is a descendant of George Francis Morris - one of Australia's pioneering vignerons of the mid 19th century.

Formerly a graphic designer - Rowly applied his creative mind to the art of wine making and is now, arguably, one of the most progressive and playful wine makers in the region.

To chat about the importance of new age thinking...in regions steeped heavily in tradition....please welcome Rowly. 

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 

• Scion After Dark Rutherglen Durif 2018

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 16: Nick Brown, All Saints, Rutherglen

Today I am in Rutherglen in Victoria’s Northeast and I am joined by a descendant of wine royalty.

Nick Brown from All Saints Estate.

If the last name hasn’t given it away, Nick has lived and breathed wine his whole life, spending his childhood running about the cellars of his family winery Brown Brothers in Milawa.

And while he initially started off pursuing a career in geological engineering, he thankfully found his way back into wine.

Now, today’s area of focus is Muscat. And Muscat of Rutherglen is an Australian treasure.

Knowledge that has been passed down through generations, with a history spanning over 100 years of family winemaking.

Muscat is rich, complex, intense and pairs exceptionally well with savoury dishes, through to full flavoured cheeses and desserts.

Please welcome, Nick. 

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 

• All Saints Estate Museum Rutherglen Muscat Non Vintage

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 15: Daniel Tokar, Tokar Estate, Yarra Valley

Today we are talking all things Tempranillo! 

There’s no denying it’s the signature wine grape of Spain, and a very very old one at that…dating back to 1100 BC.

There are about 500 clones of Tempranillo in Spain alone, and it is not only one of the world’s most planted grape varieties, it’s one of the most expanded varieties globally. Meaning it’s on the increase.

Daniel Tokar, from Tokar Estate in Victoria’s Yarra Valley has been surrounded by this variety since his parents established the winery in 1995.

A chef by trade, Daniel provides an interesting perspective on this very old and much loved variety. Please welcome, Dan. 

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 

• Tokar Estate Amphora Special Release Yarra Valley Tempranillo 2019

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 14: Dylan McMahon, Seville Estate, Yarra Valley. 

Join me as I sit down with Dylan McMahon from Seville Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley to reflect on the last two years. From his greatest learnings, to the moments that shaped Seville Estate as a business. Dylan candidly discusses what life was like running a business during one of the most difficult periods in history, the COVID-19 global pandemic. 

Seville Estate was established in 1972 and has a diverse offering from accommodation, to events, an on-site restaurant, and of course, a cellar door where you can try all of their beautiful wines.

Dylan McMahon is the grandson of Peter and Margaret, the founders of Seville, and he is now the chief winemaker here at the estate.

So who better to chat with on the highs and lows of 2020/21, please welcome Dylan. 

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 

• Seville Estate Yarra Valley Shiraz 2019

• Seville Estate Old Vine Reserve Yarra Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
• Seville Estate Single Vineyard Series Seville Pinot Noir 2020

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

 

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 13: Ben Ranken, Wilimee Wines, Macedon Ranges. 

Today’s topic is of huge interest to me.

Underwater wine. I’m fascinated by it.

It’s a process whereby wine is aged or preserved under water.

And there are some high-profile cases.

Now, back in 2010 it was reported divers found bottles of champagne…some 230 years old…at the bottom of the Baltic. It's reported the champagne found was from house Veuve Cliquot…and interestingly they have since buried 300 bottles and 50 magnums in the Baltic sea in an ageing experiment to commemorate this very discovery.

But they aren’t the only ones doing it. Wineries across the world….from Spain, to France, Italy, Greece and Chile are trying their hand at this new way of thinking.

And today we are looking at a home-grown example here in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.

Five years ago Ben Rankin, from Wilimee Wines, submerged 20 dozen bottles of his Pinot Noir in 5000 litre tanks. Now, this year he drained one of those vats for consumption and comparison, to the same vintage aged via traditional cellaring methods.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 

• 2015 Wilimee Pinot Noir 

• 2015 Wilimee 5 Years Underwater Pinot Noir

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

 

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 12: Former Hawthorn footy captain Richie Vandenberg is on a mission to remove and recycle one billion single-use plastic bottles from our oceans by 2030, via his wine label The Hidden Sea.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 

• 2021 PINOT GRIGIO. Light, lively and crisp with fresh fruits and mouth watering pear, peach and bright acidity.

• 2021 CHARDONNAY. Expressive yet refined with generous stone and citrus fruits and hints of vanilla and apple cake spice notes. A fresh but textural mid-palate with great balance and length.

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 11: Wine educator Nicole Bilson on Malolactic Fermentation

Today we sit down with wine educator Nicole Bilson to learn about the winemaking technique, malolactic fermentation.

Now, while many of you may not have heard of this technique before - most of you will have tasted the effects of it! Particularly if you're a chardonnay drinker. It's what gives some chardonnays that beautiful rich, creamy, buttery sensation on the palate.

I met Nicole while studying my WSET - she was one of our educators - and you're going to love learning from her. She is absolutely fabulous at what she does. 

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 10: Giles Cooke MW, Thistledown Wines, South Australia.

We catch up with Giles Cooke, winemaker and Award Winning Varietal (grenache) recipient at the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, to discuss all things grenache!

Grenache in Australia has quite a chequered past but is now gaining recognition as a standalone variety - take a deep dive with us as we learn more about this remarkable variety. 

Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at [email protected] and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here.

Want to know what wine we were drinking? 

• Thistledown Wines Sands of Time Old Vine Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs McLaren Vale Grenache 2019

Looking for a little more wine inspiration?

For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au.

Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here.

Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.