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I was lucky enough to spend the New Year in South Australia, dividing my time between the Adelaide Hills and the Barossa Valley. while I was in the Barossa, I took the opportunity to call into Nuriootpa High School to record a third - and final - chapter on a school project that is as innovative as it is interesting.

I’m joined once again by Milly Hoffmann, and this time by a special guest: her wine mentor, Richard Mattner - who also happens to be Head Winemaker at Pepperjack Wines, part of the Treasury Wine Estates stable. Richard reflects on his involvement in the early precursor program that would eventually evolve into the school’s now-established Vines and Wines program, and on what it means to help shape the next generation of potential wine industry talent.

We also taste through several of the students’ 2024 releases - wines that aren’t just educational exercises, but fully realised bottlings that are available on the market that I think are value for money.

Taken together, it’s a conversation about education, mentorship, and the long view of wine: how skills are passed on, how confidence is built, and how a school project in the Barossa can quietly produce wines that deserve to be taken seriously.

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I last spoke to Gordon Little of Little Peacock Wine imports as the final episode to the 2024 season. When asked how the 2024 year had been, I distinctly remember him describing it as “weird”. Gordon and I have stayed in touch, with occasional correspondence, and we thought it might be both fun and interesting to reconvene at the start of 2026 to get his hot takes on the 2025 season and projections (if at all possible) for 2026. As expected, his comments on the US market are interesting, forensic and steeped in experience. Gordon has been surfing the complex and competitive US market since 2011 and I am delighted to share that 2025 proved to be their most successful year to date. However, everyone will be acutely aware of the added complexities that look like they will continue to play out over the coming years, making predictions nigh-on impossible. Regardless, however it is beyond encouraging to know the Australian market has champions like Gordon out there doing incredibly hard work on the ground and relaying vital information. As always it was an honour and a privilege chatting with Gordon a huge thanks to Gordon Little of Little Peacock Wine imports for joining me on the CDP.

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In this first episode of the New Year, I chat with Brendan Carter on his recent documentary covering the plight of the Riverland and his thoughts on navigating the way forward.

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