Top Melbourne Food and Wine Media to Know in 2025
If you're in hospo, wine or events, these are the names you should know.
One of the biggest challenges my clients face isn’t just growing revenue. It’s staying relevant. Whether you’re launching a new menu, repositioning your wine brand or driving visitation, visibility matters. And one of the most effective ways to build it is through earned media.
You don’t need a publicist or a paid media list subscription to get started. Every journalist in this article has a public contact email. If you read their work, understand what they cover and pitch thoughtfully, you’ve got a real chance at being featured.
This isn’t an exhaustive list. It’s a starting point. A curated selection of food and wine media I believe every Melbourne-based brand should know.
Each outlet ranks well on Google for food and wine, helping boost your own digital presence if they mention or link to your business. I’ve also chosen publications I’ve worked with before and know to be open to the right kind of pitch.
If you’re not sure what a pitch is, that’s okay. I’ve got a guide coming soon. For now, just get familiar with who these people are and what they write about.
Here’s my go-to list of food and wine journalists in no particular order:
Good Food (The Age, Sydney Morning Herald)
For restaurants, especially those aiming for an esteemed ‘Hat’ accreditation, the Good Food Guide is still one of the most important publications in Australia. Here are the key people in their editorial team:
Emma Breheny – Melbourne Eating Out and Restaurant Editor
Callan Boys – National Food and Wine Writer
Roslyn Grundy – Co-editor, Good Food Guide and Deputy Print Editor, Good Food
Andrea McGinniss – Digital Editor, Good Food
Annabel Smith – Deputy Digital Editor, Good Food
Thomas Telegramma – Contributor to Good Food
Tip: If you’re serious about being included in the Good Food Guide I also recommend you read the article Behind the Good Food Guide.
Contact The Age journalists here
Contact Sydney Morning Herald journalists here
Broadsheet Melbourne
Broadsheet has become the default source for what’s new and notable in Melbourne. Whether you’ve got a new opening, a one-off event or something with broader cultural appeal, they’re one of the first outlets to consider.
Audrey Payne – Melbourne Food and Drink Editor
Dan Cunningham – Acting Features Editor
Nick Connellan – Australia Editor
Tip: Their full editorial team and contact details are listed online at broadsheet.com.au/national/info/about. No media list required.
Contact Broadsheet Melbourne journalists here
Time Out Melbourne
Time Out is a global media brand with a strong local presence. They regularly feature dining, bar openings and regional travel stories — including wine tourism.
Leah Glynn – Editor
Lauren Dinse – Food and Drink Writer
Liv Condous – Lifestyle Writer
Tip: If you’ve got an event, a cellar door experience or a strong lifestyle hook, they’re a great fit.
Contact Time Out Melbourne journalists here
Herald Sun and Delicious
The Herald Sun continues to offer wide reach, particularly across metro and regional Victoria.
Kara Monssen – Food and Wine Editor
Kara is a restaurant and wine critic who also reports on hospitality news and trends in Melbourne and beyond. She contributes lifestyle content and has a strong following across both print and digital.
Contact Herald Sun and Delicious journalists here
Concrete Playground
This outlet covers what’s happening across cities — food, drink, travel and events. They’re approachable and their content is well-written and widely shared.
Sarah Ward – Editor
Tip: If your experience or product has a cultural angle or is launching across multiple cities, this is one to consider.
Contact Concrete Playground journalists here
Boss Hunting
Boss Hunting is a luxury lifestyle publication, with strong reach among design-conscious, experience-led consumers. Their drinks content is sharp and well-produced, and they regularly cover wine, cocktails, spirits and hospitality experiences.
Editorial contact: editorial@luxity.com.au
Tip: A strong option for premium brands, giftable products or stories with style.
Halliday Wine Companion
Halliday remains one of the most influential platforms for wine reviews and scores in Australia. If your audience includes collectors, trade buyers or serious enthusiasts, having a presence here can make a real impact.
Tip: For wineries, the first step is deciding whether to submit your wines for review and scoring. The Halliday team has dedicated tasters for each GI (Geographical Indication) region across the country, and the full submission process is clearly outlined on their website. But reviews aren’t the only way to engage. You can also pitch wine-focussed news, updates or stories. The team behind Halliday publishes a respected magazine and runs a thriving digital hub, offering multiple ways to connect with a wine-loving audience.
Contact the Halliday Team here
Max Allen
I’ve worked with Max on and off throughout my career and he’s the most credible and thoughtful wine writer I know. He writes for AFR Life & Luxury and contributes to JancisRobinson.com. A story is hard to land but his work is essential reading. Consider him for events or media famils. You never know, he might say yes. He belongs at the top of any wine media list.
WBM – Wine Business Magazine
Focussed on the business of wine, this trade publication is ideal for profile features, category insights and industry news. Anthony Madigan has been the editor since 2015, with contributing wine writers including Katie Spain, David LeMire MW and Larry Lockshin.
Drinks Trade
Another strong industry outlet, especially good for launch news, distribution updates and trade coverage across wine and spirits.
Ash Pini – Group Publishing Editor
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival (MFWF)
The most obvious way to work with MFWF is through their events and festival programs, which remain among the best in the country (bias alert: I worked there for three years).
But even if you're not part of the program, it’s worth following their website and news. Since being led by Pat Nourse and Anthea Loucas Bosha (both ex-Gourmet Traveller), their editorial has been smart, credible and deeply connected to the industry.
Rick Stephens – Content Manager - Contact Rick Stephens here
Pat Nourse – Creative Director - Contact Pat Nourse here
Kim Danks – Industry Lead - Contact Kim Danks here
Tip: Their newsletters and articles reach both trade and consumers. If your story is seasonal or tied to a Victorian experience, this is a great team to approach.
I don’t offer PR services anymore. I don’t pitch stories or chase coverage for clients, though I have huge respect for the publicists who do. If you’re planning a major campaign or product launch, a great PR specialist can be an excellent investment, and I’m always happy to recommend someone.
These days, I focus on the bigger picture: full marketing and business strategy, along with coaching for in-house teams. I help brands define their story, clarify their positioning, and build marketing and communications capability that connects with the right audience and drives results. I also coach teams to manage media with confidence, so they’re not reliant on external support for every opportunity.
For many brands, having a few strong journalist relationships and a clear strategy is more impactful and more sustainable than outsourcing everything. I’m currently working on a practical guide to media pitching, covering subject lines, structure, follow-ups and more. If you're not already subscribed to Growth Insights, now is the time!
And if you spot anything in the list that’s out of date, please let me know so I can update the guide. I want Growth Insights to be a free resource that all businesses can share and benefit from.
Cheers,
Holly