The globally popular Wine Blast podcast, hosted by Masters of Wine Susie Barrie and Peter Richards, will soon launch a highly anticipated mini-series dedicated to Western Australia’s renowned wine regions. The series, part of the WA Wines to the World program, will debut on January 24, with the second episode following on February 7.
The first episode of the mini-series will delve into the Great Southern wine region, covering its vineyards, winemakers, and distinct landscapes. The second episode will shift the focus to Margaret River, another iconic wine-growing area in the state.
Coordinated by Wines of Western Australia, the podcast aims to engage a global audience of both wine consumers and industry professionals. The initiative is designed to raise awareness of Western Australian wines, encouraging listeners to explore and purchase wines from the region.
The podcast series follows Peter Richards’ immersive week-long tour of Western Australia’s southwest wine regions in November 2024. During the trip, Richards visited multiple wineries, sampling local wines and recording conversations that highlight the unique characteristics of the regions.
Richards’ tour began in the Great Southern, where he visited Plantagenet Wines, Swinney, Alkoomi, Forest Hill Vineyard, Singlefile Wines, and Cherubino’s Riversdale Vineyard. He also participated in a masterclass at West Cape Howe Winery, hosted by Gavin Berry (West Cape Howe) and Rob Diletti (Castel Rock Estate), where he explored sub-regional wines.
Tom Wisdom, president of the Great Southern Wine Producers’ Association and managing director of Plantagenet Wines, expressed enthusiasm about the project. “It’s deeply rewarding for our region to receive this kind of recognition,” he said. “The publicity generated by this visit will be significant for both the Great Southern and Western Australia as a whole.”
Richards’ journey then took him west to Margaret River, where he spent time with some of the region’s most well-known producers, including Cherubino Wines, Xanadu, Voyager Estate, Cape Mentelle, Moss Wood, Passel Estate, Vasse Felix, Cloudburst, and Cullen Wines.
Larry Cherubino, winemaker at Cherubino Wines, reflected on his time with Richards. “It was fantastic to show Peter our work, especially exploring emerging varieties in the Great Southern. His fresh perspective has been very encouraging,” Cherubino said.
At Voyager Estate, chief winemaker Tim Shand echoed similar sentiments. “It was a privilege to host Peter, whose deep dive into Margaret River wine will resonate with Wine Blast’s global audience,” Shand said.
Richards’ visit to Margaret River also coincided with key events such as the annual flagship tastings at Cape Mentelle and Cullen Wines. Additionally, he attended the Pair’d Margaret River festival, which included exclusive events such as a wine dinner collaboration between Leeuwin Estate and Michelin-starred restaurant JAAN, as well as the Grand Tasting by Singapore Airlines at Howard Park Wines.
Liz Mencel, program manager for WA Wines to the World, expressed excitement about the podcast’s launch. “Peter’s tour through the Great Southern and Margaret River regions has provided us with a rich array of content to share,” she said. “This is a unique opportunity to showcase Australian wine regions on a global scale, and we can’t wait for listeners to tune in starting on January 24.”
The podcast mini-series promises to be a compelling showcase of Western Australia’s vibrant wine culture, with new insights from one of the most respected voices in the wine industry.
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