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ABC News
5 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Wine giant's shock closure of Banrock Station cellar door end of a 'fantastic marriage'
Global wine giant Vinarchy will close a renowned cellar door in Australia's largest wine grape growing region as it consolidates its operations. Banrock Station, located in South Australia's Riverland, will close its cellar door and restaurant alongside Rolf Binder near Tanunda in the Barossa Valley. The last day of service at both cellar doors is expected to be towards the end of June. The decision comes just months after international wine brands Accolade and Pernod Ricard Wines merged to create Vinarchy, promising "innovation" in global winemaking. The company said the decision would create "uncertainty" for team members employed at both sites, but committed to supporting staff in the transition. Chief supply officer Joe Russo said support would include redeployment opportunities to local locations, or redundancy and outplacement support "where necessary". The company said viticulture and vineyard operations would remain at both Banrock Station and Rolf Binder sites with no impact on those teams. The company has also invested $70 million in its Berri Estates site, the largest winery in the Southern Hemisphere, to turn the facility into Vinarchy's primary commercial winemaking, packaging and warehousing hub. Winemaking at St Hallett in the Barossa and Hardy's Tintara in McLaren Vale will be shifted to Vinarchy's Rowland Flat site by the 2026-27 vintages at a cost of $30 million. "These important changes represent Vinarchy's commitment to building a stronger winemaking footprint in South Australia," Mr Russo said. Vinarchy produces more than 32 million cases of wine and turns over more than $1.5 billion in net sales revenue annually. The imminent closure of Banrock Station's public operations has raised questions about what impact the move will have on local tourism and the environment. Tony Sharley was involved in the foundation of Banrock Station, including the cultivation of the site's globally recognised Ramsar wetlands, before stepping away in 2009. Mr Sharley said he was disappointed the experiences would be coming to an end. "It's quite clever in a way that as a visitor experience, it brought wine lovers to nature, and it brought nature lovers to wine," he said. "It was a fantastic marriage." Mr Sharley called Banrock Station's former owners Hardy Wines' original decision to mix wine with nature "a unique piece". "It was very courageous back in the day for a company … to create a cellar door overlooking a wetland and then building a wine brand around its care for the environment," he said. The wetlands surrounding the winery have been a drawcard for visitors as part of the experiences offered by the brand. In 2002, the area was made a Ramsar site of international importance due to its significance for wildlife and biodiversity. The Ramsar Convention means the Banrock Wetlands' ecological character must be conserved and meet Australian Ramsar management principles. A Vinarchy spokesperson said the company would continue its commitment to maintaining the wetlands as required by the convention, including environmental watering and drying cycles. "We will continue to consult with stakeholders regarding wetland conservation, including potential partnerships with environmental tourism organisations," a spokesperson said. Riverland MP Tim Whetstone labelled Vinarchy's decision to close Banrock Station a "day of reckoning for the region" and questioned the implications on the local economy. "The Banrock business, the wine brand, the wetlands and the destination into the Riverland has been widely regarded as a centre of excellence," Mr Whetstone said. "It has had a significant association with environmentalists and environmental visitation that I think now will see people look elsewhere." The shift for the Vinarchy brand follows a tumultuous period for the Riverland wine industry as it grapples with challenging seasonal conditions and global oversupply. "I would've thought that the Banrock brand and the facility would have been a really good working piece of diversity in what is a very ailing industry," Mr Whetstone said.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rusev destroys opponent in first match on WWE RAW after shocking return
Image via WWE Rusev emerged victorious in his first match on Monday Night RAW after returning to WWE two weeks. The wrestling world was left stunned with the resurgence of former WWE United States Champion, Rusev, to the sports entertainment juggernaut after four years. The return took place on the RAW after WrestleMania 41, where Rusev made a huge statement by taking out the Alpha Academy. This week, the Bulgarian Brute was in action for the first time on RAW since making his comeback. Rusev competed on RAW after nearly five years Rusev was scheduled to battle Alpha Academy member, Otis, who himself was looking to exact revenge of his own after Rusev took him and Akira Tozawa out on his first night back in WWE. The bout started with the two superheavyweights locking up and displaying their raw power. Otis tried to deliver some power-packed moves, but Rusev overpowered it with his own moveset and dominated Otis. However, Otis managed to get an opportunity to send Rusev crashing on the announcer's desk and then into the ring steps. Otis then tossed Rusev back in the ring. At that moment, the former AEW star caught him with a punk kick and then locked him in the Accolade submission hold. Otis had no choice but to tap out. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Jawa Barat: AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Aroun... Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Following the end of the bout, Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri came to check on Otis. Tozawa then decided to step up to Rusev. He was not keen on the idea and left the ring. However, the Bulgarian Brute came back in the ring and powerbombed Tozawa on Otis. He then sent Otis into the ring posts and once again trapped him in the Accolade with WWE officials running in to stop the assault. Rusev has been known to cause havoc and destruction inside the squared circle. It was this same raw power and strength that helped him stay undefeated for a long time in WWE and earned him multiple titles and accolades. Moreover, the former US Champion made a huge statement in his first match back on RAW, which could be a sign of things to come from Rusev moving forward. Also read: WWE RAW Results & Highlights (5/5/25): CM Punk makes shocking return, Rusev makes in-ring debut and more
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Accolade Wines to cut brands following Vinarchy launch
Accolade Wines plans to get rid of a number of wine brands following the creation of a new wine company this week called Vinarchy. The Australian wine business intends to cut brands which make up around 4% of total revenues, Just Drinks understands. Vinarchy launched after Accolade's owner, Australian Wine Holdco, completed the purchase of a clutch of wine assets from Pernod Ricard on Wednesday (30 April). The new company combines Accolade's assets with the Australian, New Zealand and Spanish wine operations formerly owned by Pernod, which were acquired by Accolade owner Australian Wine Holdco Limited earlier in April after a deal announced last year. While it is unclear how many brands are expected to be axed under Vinarchy, local reports from the Australian Financial Review this week, have indicated up to 50 brands could be shed. Executive chairman of Vinarchy Ben Clarke was quoted by the publication as having said that the business plans to bring its total 150 brands down to 100. 'We can see a few waves getting it to about 100. Obviously, it's a global business, and we will do it by geography and by brand,' he said. The brands being reviewed are expected to sit within the new company's global markets, Just Drinks understands, but are small brands and SKUs that haven't been successful for the group. Vinarchy is still working through the process, which will take around 12-18 months to complete. Money received from offloading the brands will be used to invest in brands which the business believes has greater growth potential. According to Australian Financial Review Clarke said the sum would go towards well-known brands in Vinarchy's portfolio, like Campo Viejo, Jacob's Creek and Hardys. The publication also suggested domestic brands like Beaumont, &Then and Brooke James are affected, as well as Trackers Crossing in the US. A group of private label brands which are produced for retailers and supermarkets are also expected to go. Australian Wine Holdco, which describes itself as 'a consortium of international institutional investors', is made up of funds from private-equity firms Bain Capital, Sona Asset Management, Samuel Terry Asset Management, Intermediate Capital Group and Capital Four. The consortium took equity ownership of Accolade from existing shareholders early last year. "Accolade Wines to cut brands following Vinarchy launch" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Miami Herald
23-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Miami Herald
Customer loyalty tested: the call to boycott Alo Yoga
They wore it to yoga, to brunch, to Coachella. Alo Yoga wasn't just about leggings - it was a lifestyle. Endorsed by celebrities and influencers, the brand marketed itself as a pillar of wellness: clean aesthetics, mindfulness, and movement. Related: Fans of giant yoga brand are walking away: here's why But under that carefully curated image, some customers and employees now say things aren't so serene. On Reddit, one former loyalist has called for a boycott, although it does not seem like there's much momentum behind that actually happening. The reasons? Declining product quality, rising prices, and disturbing allegations about the company's internal culture. Image source: Koerner/Getty Images Across multiple threads on r/aloyoga, users shared frustration with how the brand's products are holding up, given what they're paying for them. "Insanity is buying from them after all the posts here about poor quality," wrote Pure-Act1143. Edlo9596 added: "It's a shame the quality is so bad.... I'll never buy anything from the Accolade line again." Even resale workers are taking note. "I work at a thrift store," wrote Preston, "The amount of Alo I have almost thrown away during sorting because I genuinely thought it was SHEIN." Related: Popular fitness tracker's latest update outrages users But it's not just the products. On platforms like Glassdoor and Indeed, former employees describe an environment that contrasts sharply with the brand's tranquil public image. One manager described Alo as having "high turnover and toxic" energy, citing "incompetence and lack of communication from upper management." Another employee said, "It's all smoke and mirrors - the company cares more about image than actual well-being." A former HQ product manager added, "If you value your mental health, dignity, career, or livelihood, I strongly recommend not joining Alo." Criticism spans departments - from retail associates to corporate roles - with several ex-employees mentioning a mismatch between the company's wellness message and internal operations. The disconnect is hard to ignore. A brand once seen as a beacon of modern wellness is now being called a corporate catfish - serene on the surface, but falling apart at the seams. Alo isn't the first lifestyle company to face backlash, and it won't be the last. But what makes this moment different is how deeply the criticism cuts across both product and principle. People aren't just questioning the stitching on a pair of leggings. They're questioning whether Alo is what it says it is. And in today's consumer landscape, that kind of disconnect can be more damaging than a defective item. Alo hasn't publicly addressed the boycott, and it continues to post daily affirmations and influencer content on social media. But behind the curated calm, the brand faces a test more difficult than any yoga pose: regaining the trust of a customer base that's beginning to turn away. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE RAW Results & Highlights (4/21/25): Randy Orton reignites feud with John Cena, Rusev returns, Becky Lynch goes rogue and more
Image via WWE WWE RAW After WrestleMania 41 was the sight of a historic rivalry reignited, huge returns, high octane in-ring action and a massive ending to the show. The RAW after WrestleMania 41 brought all the fallout from both nights of the grand spectacle from the T-Mobile Arena. It was a memorable night in the history of the show that ushered WWE into a brand new season moving forward. Opening segment with John Cena The new and record-breaking 17-time WWE Champion, John Cena, makes his entrance to the ring. He demanded a better ring introduction from the announcer and addressed his victory. Cena berated the fans as they chanted 'We are sorry.' However, Cena dismissed them and revealed that he had to show up only for 27 more dates before retiring as the 'Last Real Champion.' But much to the surprise of everyone, his iconic rival, Randy Orton, showed up outta nowhere and gave him an RKO. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If A Cat Bites Their Owner Heres What It Really Means Gloriousa Undo Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria This was a rematch from WrestleMania 41 for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships. The match was fast-paced and captivating until the final moments when Lyra Valkyria took out Raquel Rodriguez, who landed straight from the apron to the floor on Becky Lynch. Liv Morgan took the opportunity to hit Oblivion and win back the titles for her team. In the aftermath, Becky Lynch shocked the world by attacking Lyra Valkyria. Rusev makes his return to WWE An in-ring altercation between The Alpha Academy and The New Day took place in the ring over the WWE World Tag Team titles. As they were about to come to blows, the lights went out, and Rusev made his return to WWE. He entered the ring and took out both Otis and Akira Tozawa with his submission move, the Accolade. IYO Sky vs Stephanie Vaquer The match was made after Stephanie Vaquer came out to congratulate IYO Sky for retaining her WWE Women's World title at WrestleMania 41. The fans already chanted 'This is Awesome' before they even came to blows. The match was looking to be a stellar showdown until NXT stars, Roxanne Perez and Giulia, interfered in the bout. That led to Rhea Ripley's appearance to take down Perez, but Giulia avoided her, and Ripley helped IYO to her feet. Jey Uso's segment Jey Uso makes his first entrance as the new World Heavyweight Champion. The crowd erupts in a huge YEET chant as Uso reflects on his historic win. The YEET man claims to be ready to put in the work as a champion. Then, Sami Zayn makes his return since the 2025 WWE Elimination Chamber PLE and congratulates Jey on his win. Jimmy Uso joins them, and the trio celebrated. Dominik Mysterio vs Penta This was Dominik Mysterio's first WWE Intercontinental Championship defense after winning the title at WrestleMania 41. The match was an excellent showdown that saw the return of Judgment Day member, JD McDonagh who helped Dominik retained his title over Penta. Main Event segment Seth Rollins arrived with Paul Heyman and claimed that he took away Roman Reigns' Wiseman and CM Punk's best friend. That led to Punk coming down ringside and brawling with Rollins. The Visionary raked his eyes and delivered a stomp. Just as they were addressing their future plans, Roman Reigns marched his way to the ring. He took out Rollins with a spear and knocked down Paul Heyman with a Superman Punch. As he was getting ready to inflict more damage, Bron Breakker suddenly appeared and speared Reigns. He is revealed to be the newest Paul Heyman Guy as both Rollins and Breakker stand tall with him. Also read: WrestleMania 41 winners, top performers, shocking moments, betrayals, and more Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
