In this episode of Straight To The Source, Lucy Allon sits down with one of Australia's most respected drinks voices, Mike Bennie. A journalist, wine judge, educator, and co-founder of P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants, Mike has spent decades tasting, writing about and championing Australian drinks culture.

From emerging wine trends and changing consumer habits to the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic category, Mike shares his unique perspective on where the drinks industry is heading and why Australia continues to be one of the world's most innovative beverage producers.

They also taste chef-turned-winemaker Matt Stone’s first vintage Pinot Noir. Plus, Mike reveals the Australian drinks every wine lover should know about right now, including the local sparkling wines, Grenache producers and Mediterranean varieties he believes are genuinely competing with the world's best.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

Inside the life of a professional wine critic: From tasting up to 30 wines before breakfast to judging, writing, travelling and staying on top of a constantly evolving global drinks industry.

Why Australians are drinking less but drinking better: Mike's perspective on changing consumer habits and why today's drinkers are becoming more selective, more adventurous and increasingly focused on quality over quantity.

What makes Australian drinkers unique: Why Australians have developed a deep understanding of wine regions, a willingness to experiment and a refreshing lack of rules when it comes to what they drink.

The role of festivals in shaping food and drink culture: How events like Vivid Fire Kitchen and regional food festivals are creating stronger connections between producers, hospitality businesses and consumers.

Tasting Matt Stone's first Pinot Noir: Mike shares his thoughts on the inaugural Wines by Matt Stone Pinot Noir and explains why the wine reflects a commitment to finesse, balance and fine winemaking.

Why chefs often make great winemakers: The parallels between cooking and winemaking and how some of Australia's most respected chefs have developed a deep passion for wine.

The permanent rise of low and no alcohol drinks: Why non alcoholic beverages have moved far beyond trend status and become a permanent part of Australia's hospitality landscape.

How the best restaurants approach non alcoholic pairings: Why some of the most exciting drinks innovation is happening outside traditional wine programs, with sommeliers and chefs creating sophisticated alcohol free experiences.

Australian pioneers changing the non alcoholic category: The impact of brands like Aaron Trotman’s NON and Heaps Normal, and the producers helping reshape how Australians think about drinking.

Global drinks trends Australia should be watching: What Mike is seeing overseas, from wellness beverages and functional drinks to the growing influence of legalised cannabis on alcohol consumption in the United States.

Why wine packaging needs a rethink: Mike's candid views on why wine remains tied to outdated formats and how packaging innovation could help the industry better connect with modern consumers.

Australian sparkling wine versus Champagne: Why Mike believes Australia's best sparkling wines are genuinely competing with, and in many cases outperforming, some of Champagne's biggest producers.

The rise of Australian Grenache: Why Grenache has become one of Australia's most exciting wine categories and how old vine vineyards are helping produce wines that stand alongside the world's best.

The Mediterranean grape varieties thriving in Australia: How varieties like Vermentino, Greco and Nero d'Avola are proving better suited to Australia's climate, cuisine and modern drinking culture.

The next chapter for craft beer: Why beer drinkers are moving beyond heavily hopped styles and becoming more interested in provenance, farming practices and where ingredients come from.

Going straight to the source of drinks: How concepts like provenance, sustainability and producer connection are becoming increasingly important across wine, beer, spirits and non alcoholic beverages.

The future of Australian drinks culture: Mike's vision for a more inclusive, collaborative and less gatekept drinks industry that embraces changing consumer habits while continuing to champion innovation.

Why hospitality needs broader drinks education: How breaking down the silos between wine, beer, spirits and non alcoholic drinks could create a more knowledgeable and adaptable next generation of hospitality professionals.

What the next five years could look like: Mike's predictions for Australian hospitality, from lower alcohol consumption and evolving consumer values to a greater focus on ingredient quality, transparency and sustainability.

Follow Mike Bennie, and, P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants:

• @mikebennie101 
• @pnvmerchants

Watch our short film, Pork To Fork, Grain to Glass, of our Straight To The Source trip taking Mike Bennie & Nik Hill to Voyager Craft Malt & Dewsburys Free Range Pork

Resources & Mentions

• P&V Wine + Liquor Merchants: https://pnvmerchants.com
  • Wines by Matt Stone: https://www.instagram.com/wines_by_mattstone
  • Heaps Normal: https://heapsnormal.com
  • NON: https://www.non.world/en-au
  • Little Food Market Sydney at Carriageworks 21-23 August 2026: https://thelittlefoodmarket.com/sydney

About Straight To The Source

Straight To The Source brings you closer to the chefs, producers, growers and makers across the entire food chain, the people shaping where food is headed and why it matters. Hosted by food experts Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon. 

Follow, rate and review Straight To The Source to help more people discover the stories shaping Australia’s food and hospitality industry.

You can find us: 

• Straight To The Source Food Podcast: https://lnk.to/jBCTBE
• Straight To The Source Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/straight_to_the_source/ 
• Straight To The Source Website: http://straighttothesource.com.au

Tawnya Bahr 

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawnyabahr/ 
• Instagram: @tawnyabahr  
• Email: tbahr@straighttothesource.com.au

Lucy Allon

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyallon/ 
• Instagram: @lucy_allon 
• Email: lucy@straighttothesource.com.au

Keywords: Australian wine, Australian drinks industry, Mike Bennie, wine trends Australia, Australian sparkling wine, non alcoholic drinks Australia, Australian Grenache, Australian beer trends, wine podcast Australia, drinks culture Australia, Matt Stone wine, Australian hospitality industry, low alcohol drinks, wine education, beverage trends Australia, Straight To The Source