About Us

Australian wine has never been better. From the west to the east coast, and south to Tasmania, Australian winemakers are making some of the finest and most sophisticated wines around the world, which are often significantly better value than our international competitors. It is something that the industry as a whole should be incredibly proud of. Yet, at the same time, many local wineries are also finding it difficult to stay in business. Both at home and abroad, there is clearly a disconnect. How is it that when the industry is kicking so many goals for both quality and value that many wineries are also struggling to survive?

One of the greatest problems the wine industry now faces is a lack of coverage and attention; richer stories that showcase individual wineries, leading regions and the industry’s rich wine history. At a time where the international wine market has never been more competitive, the coverage of Australian wine is in fact worse than ever before. While in the past there were numerous widely read wine magazines and newspaper columns which helped to showcase our key wineries and regions both locally and around the world, most of these are unfortunately now relegated to history and nothing has taken their place. 

For consumers who want more than simply reviews and scores, there are very few publications that actually scratch below the surface, to tell an in-depth story about a winery, its new releases, current vintages and the progress of Australia’s top wine regions. The leading global wine hotspots have a multitude of publications that cover their every move but Australia has largely been left behind. The Vintage Journal was launched to fill this gap, to bring together Australia’s leading wine writers in one place where they can share stories and guides to the best wines and regions around the country. We will go far beyond scores and reviews to provide the inside running on Australian wines and wine history through stories crafted by our team.


Andrew Caillard

Andrew Caillard MW is the author of several books including Penfolds The Rewards of Patience (six editions), Imagining Coonawarra, A Travel Through Time (the history of leading Spanish winery Marques de Riscal) and co-authored educational books Australian Wine and A Taste Around The World of Wine. The Essence of Dreams (the history of the Mornington Peninsula’s wine industry) will be published in 2022. Andrew has also written a definitive history of Australian wine with plans for publication in 2023. The Vintage Journal draws on research, experience and tasting expertise gathered over a forty-year period working in the secondary market, the corporate retail world, the wine media, film and painting.

Angus Hughson

Angus Hughson PhD is a digital wine media specialist, drinks communicator and publisher. He is the founder of Winepilot, the co-publisher of The Vintage Journal, contributing writer to Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine, The Australian and other publications in addition to the author of Worldwine. Angus has also worked extensively in ecommerce, analytics, sales and marketing for key start ups in wine storage, wine collecting and retail. He is a wine judge and holds a Diploma in Wine and Spirits (WSET). Angus Hughson’s PhD thesis (University of Sydney, 2002) was titled “Cork and Talk -The cognitive and perceptual bases of wine expertise.”