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Who are metal band Voyager? Australia’s Eurovision entry set to rock the contest

Australia has a short but impactful history in Eurovision , and its 2023 entry looks set to be among its most memorable.

Metal band Voyager have been trying to get a place on the show since before Australia was even competing, so when Europe was extended to a land down under for the show in 2015, they were keen to join the fun.

Bass player Alex Cainon told the NME : “The most common feedback we get is that we look like we’re having fun onstage – which we’ve found, over the years, translates into the crowd themselves having fun. And that’s exactly what Eurovision is about, you know?”

Voyager formed in 1999 in the Western Australian city of Perth - a place other Aussies will tell you is in “woop woop” (a million miles from anywhere). And perhaps as geographical outsiders they have had what it takes to form a cult following which has seen them release eight albums - most recently Fearless in Love this year.

There is a huge Eurovision following in Australia and the country was set to compete only once in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary, but has returned every year since - although it has yet to win. While it is not unheard of for a metal band to win the competition (remember Lordi in 2006?) Voyager are considered outsiders for this year’s competition which begins, for them, on Thursday, May 11 with the second semi-final.

But winning is not everything and the band are instead hoping to put Australian metal onto the global stage.

“Eurovision is the kind of thing you can do and come out of with a completely new fanbase,” guitarist Scott Kay told NME .

“If they’re into more obscure types of music, hopefully they’ll see us and then check out all the other amazing talent we have in Australia.”

Voyager will enter the 2023 competition with their song Promise which they hope will provide a solid entry point for fans. The band have crossed the boundary and are now in the host city of Liverpool hoping to make the final which will be on Saturday.

To find out more about Eurovision 2023 click here .

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Voyager to represent Australia at Eurovision, as synth-metal band to sing Promise in Liverpool

A band will represent Australia for the first time at the Eurovision Song Contest, with WA synth-metal group Voyager named as the entrant for the 2023 competition with the song Promise.

This year will be the eighth time that Australia has participated as a contestant at the world-famous TV music festival — for the first time since 2018, host broadcaster SBS has opted for an internal selection, without holding a public national final.

"As a long-time Eurovision fan, this is the pinnacle — Voyager gets to play the greatest show on earth!" lead singer Danny Estrin said in a statement.

"Our song Promise is made for the Eurovision stage and collectively we feel it's one of our best yet.'

The song is a progressive pop number featuring Voyager's trademark sound with big guitars, keytar solos and driving rhythms.

Mr Estrin said it was surreal to know they were going to be a part of the competition.

"It's really such an honour to be representing at Eurovision," he said.

"My own story is a migrant story, we arrived in WA in 1992 and the opportunities that this state and country have given me and the band have been absolutely phenomenal.

"For us, even going to Eurovision now is a win."

WA Tourism Minister Roger Cook said he thought the band could go "all the way".

"These guys have got what it takes to attract the world and to attract the eyes of the judges," he said.

Voyager's selection caps a long journey to Eurovision.

The Perth-based outfit has been trying to make it to the contest for eight years since Australia was first announced as a participant in 2015, after being invited as part of celebrations for the contest's 60th anniversary.

Voyager submitted songs each year to the contest. In 2020, they were shortlisted but just missed out on the final 11 for national final Australia Decides with their song Runaway.

Last year, they made it to Australia Decides with Dreamer, but lost by three votes to Sheldon Riley and his song Not the Same.

Voyager won the public vote, but lost on the combined score when votes from the jury were added in.

Riley went on to reach the final in Turin, Italy, finishing 15th.

So far in 2023, including Australia's selection, 22 of the 37 nations competing in Liverpool have named their artists and songs for the contest.   

SBS head of entertainment Emily Griggs said: "Voyager have been determined to get centre stage for the biggest song contest in the world and SBS know they will bring that grit with them along with a whole lot of fun. Look out Europe, the Aussies are coming!".

The director of SBS production partner Blink TV, Paul Clarke said:

"From the very first listen I knew it was something special — an epic, cinematic track that will take listeners on an anthemic rock voyage all the way to the Eurovision stage.

"This year, Australia’s hopes are in the masterful hands of a band for the first time ever, and I can’t wait for Voyager to rock your socks off in Liverpool.”

The band has toured around the world and released seven albums — work on an eighth will begin later this year.

Australia's contract with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) — the organisers of Eurovision — runs out in 2023, so this could be Australia's last year as a contestant.

The contest will be held in the United Kingdom , at Liverpool Arena in Liverpool, as last year's winners, Ukraine, were unable to host due to the war with Russia.

The contest will be held in May this year. There will be two semi-finals, on May 10 and 12 (Australian time) — Australia will be in the second semi-final, along with Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, Romania, Austria, Denmark, Lithuania, San Marino, Belgium, Slovenia, Iceland, Georgia, Greece, Poland and Estonia. 

The top 10 vote-getting countries will advance to the final on May 14 (Australian time).

Australia has never won the contest, with Dami Im producing the best result with a second place with her song Sound of Silence in 2016.

The contest will be live-blogged by ABC.

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Who are Voyager, the band representing Australia at this year's Eurovision?

The synth-metal group will represent australia at the 67th eurovision song contest in liverpool with their song promise..

Perth-based synth-metal band Voyager will represent Australia at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Source: Supplied / Michael Dann

• SBS has announced Perth-based synth-metal group Voyager as Australia's 2023 Eurovision Song Contest pick.
• It's the first time a band will represent Australia at the contest, to be held in Liverpool in the United Kingdom.
• The contest will be held from 9 -13 May.

'Dream come true': Australia's Sheldon Riley through to Eurovision grand final

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Progressive pop metal - Australia

As much as you can rely on the Earth’s ellip4cal orbit, you can depend on Voyager to consistently evolve. The band’s interplanetary balance of virtuosic pyrotechnics and sky scraping radio-ready hooks morphs at the speed of sound from one era to the next. In bursts of bright light, luminous keys, neon guitar wizardry, and stratosphere-shaking rhythms, they elevate hard rock to another realm. The group blast off on a signature hybrid of prog, rock, and metal possibly best described as the musical equivalent of Guardians of the Galaxy.

After piling up millions of streams, earning acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, and wowing the globe on the Eurovision Song Contest, the Perth, Australia quintet—Danny Estrin [vocals], Simone Dow [guitar], Scott Kay [guitar], Alex Canion [bass], and Ashley Doodkorte [drums]—take flight like never before on their forthcoming eighth full-length LP, Fearless In Love [Season of Mist].

“It’s progressive in the sense we’re always trying to reinvent and refresh ourselves as musicians,” notes Danny. “I want to develop musically from where we left off. We made sure Fearless In Love was melodic with some sugary hooks, but we also stayed true to our sound and delivered a few more guitar solos. It could appeal to fans of complex music as well as anybody who might want a straight-up banger. It’s a melting pot of the genres that define us distilled into the unique Voyager sound.”

This cohort of dynamic talents and personalities initially crash-landed stateside for a now-renowned performance at the 2011 ProgPower USA Festival in Atlanta, GA. Since then, they’ve unleashed a string of fan favourite albums—V [2014], Ghost Mile [2017], and Colours in the Sun [2019]—in addition to sharing stages with the likes Deftones, Leprous, Devin Townsend, Opeth, and Poppy to name a few. Australia notably handpicked Voyager as its entrant into the global Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with “Promise.” The Guardian hailed the buzzing single as “a pop number that bends the genre with trademark riffs, climactic guitars and keytar solos,” and it crashed the Top 3 of the Australian Independent Label Singles Chart. They even appeared on TODAY Australia to wave the metal flag by teaching daytime TV hosts black metal growls, as plugged by Metal Injection!

Throughout 2022, they crafted what would become Fearless In Love with engineer, mixer, and coproducer Matt Templeman. This time around, the musicians recorded live, unlocking a new energy altogether.

“Normally, we write and record our parts individually, but the whole band decided to go old school and do everything together this time,” he goes on. “This line-up has been together for twelve years, and we gel so well. It’s cool because we can play off each other like a live show with funky bass, groovy guitars, and creative drum patterns. It translates to the album.” On the single “Prince of Fire,” glimmering keys give way to a hard-hitting guitar riff as Danny’s slick vocals seesaw atop a punchy bass line.

“It’s actually one of the heaviest songs we’ve done, yet it’s got this super eighties mentality,” the front man reveals. “Lyrically, it’s about being perceived as the bad guy, even though you’re trying to do your best. You have good intentions, but sometimes you end up being the ‘Prince of Fire on night patrol’. Musically, it sways side-to-side, and then you’re crushed—which is a common theme for us.”

Then, there’s “The Lamenting.” Seventies-style sonics dissolve in a haze of riffs offset by swooning vocals and synths. Distortion drowns out the light in its final moments.

“You’re lamenting past loves and trying to let go and not wallow in those memories,” Danny elaborates. “There’s a bitter end that almost leaves you in the dark without pulling you out. It’s one of the most melancholic and sad songs on the album.”

Meanwhile, “Ultraviolet” layers a hypnotic refrain above chugging guitar as growls pierce the groove before a hummable solo.

“It’s about coping with the speed of modern society,” he states. “I like a fast-paced world, but it can be too much. You almost want to bury your head under your pillow and scream, ‘Slow down’. The expectations we have on each other as humans are just nuts. Sometimes, you need to become ultraviolet, duck under, and go, ‘No more for me, thanks’.”

The finale “Gren (Fearless In Love)” concludes the album with a climactic crescendo pushed even higher by resounding melodies and nimble instrumentation.

“When you’re in love, you have boundless energy and feelings for a person, which makes you almost invincible,” he elaborates. “There’s a huge vulnerability, because you’re not invincible at all. You’re totally susceptible to extreme hurt and letdown. There’s something beautiful about letting yourself go and fully experiencing being fearless though.”

In the end, a similar creative boundlessness drives Voyager.

“When you listen to Fearless In Love, I’d love for you to say, ‘I’ve never heard anything like this before’,” he leaves off. “Secondly, I hope you’re uplifted, intrigued, and emotional. We try take you on a journey through struggle, positivity, negativity, and a society that doesn’t always make sense. Maybe, listening to the record will make you feel better about dealing with this crazy modern world we’re living in.”

• Danny Estrin : Vocals/Keytar
• Simone Dow : Guitars
• Scott Kay : Guitars
• Alex Canion : Bass
• Ashley Doodkorte : Drums

After breaking out with a Top 10 finish at Eurovision and the ARIA-topping album Fearless in Love, VOYAGER were dealt a cruel twist of fate last fall when vocalist, keytarist and founding member Daniel Estrin was diagnosed with cancer. While Danny’s chemotherapy treatment has been very effective, his cancer is the most aggressive mutation. His medical team will continue fortnightly chemotherapy for the foreseeable future, which makes touring impossible. As a result, VOYAGER has made the collective decision to cancel all shows in 2024 to ensure focus is on Danny’s recovery and continuing the positive medical progress that he’s made.

VOYAGER are counting on a successful comeback in 2024. The Eurovision breakouts are now announcing the rescheduled dates for their European and UK tour supporting Fearless in Love.

VOYAGER have been everywhere since landing in the Top Ten at Eurovision. They’ve topped the AIR chart. They’ve chatted with Today and Guitar World and graced the cover of Prog magazine.

Voyager have come a long way. The band just released their breakthrough album ‘Fearless in Love’, but they first formed back in 1999, when Daniel Estrin was studying at the University of Western Australia.

You’ve probably noticed, but VOYAGER are on quite a ride. The band started this year with a Top Ten finish at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, thanks to their keytar-charged power ballad “Promise”. Back home, they were treated to a hero’s welcome with a sold-out summer tour of Australia. Earlier this week, they released “Ultraviolet”, which highlighted a darker, more introspective side to to their electro progressive metal.

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Voyager: Meet the Eurovision die-hards finally representing Australia

Prog-rock band voyager have come close to representing their country a couple of times in the past, article bookmarked.

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Australia may have only joined Eurovision in 2015, but fans are hoping 2023 could be the country’s year thanks to the star power of prog-rock band Voyager .

The five-piece – whose current line-up features Daniel “Danny” Estrin, Simone Dowe, Scott Kay, Ashley Doodkorte and Alex Canion – first formed in 1999. Since then, the band have swapped out their members many times, releasing seven studio albums over 24 years.

Voyager are representing Australia for the first time in Liverpool in this year’s final, but this is far from their first shot at Eurovision glory.

Follow our live blog for all the latest updates on Eurovision 2023

The group were shortlisted to compete for Australia in 2020 (although they did not make it to the country’s final), only to become the runners-up in Australia’s competition last year, eventually losing out to the raven-haired belter Sheldon Riley.

• Eurovision 2023 – live: Mae Muller to represent UK in Liverpool final as mystery guest teased
• Mae Muller: ‘Eurovision 2023 is the year of the pop girlies!’
• Eurovision 2023: Betting odds and favourites
• Eurovision Song Contest 2023: Lineup and running order

For 2023, Voyager were internally selected to represent Australia with their song “Promise”, which is part pulsing synth track, part rock head-banger.

As with many Eurovision songs, such as this year’s self-empowerment anthem “Queen of Kings” by Norway’s Alessandra , Voyager’s track imparts a positive message.

Lyrically, “Promise” speaks to the importance of companionship in a chaotic world. “Sometimes we all just need a friend, partner or family to tell us it’ll be alright,” said guitarist Scott Kay.

Voyager is set to compete in the second semi-finals on Thursday (11 May) in Liverpool, where they will be up against Denmark, Armenia, Romania, Estonia, Belgium, Cyprus, Iceland, Greece, Poland, Solvenia, Georgia, San Marino, Austria, Albania, and Lithuania for a chance to compete in Saturday’s grand final (13 May).

We spoke to guitarist Kay about the history of long-haired rockers in Eurovision and the pressures of going up against Sweden’s Eurovision favourite and competition darling Loreen in Liverpool.

Hi Scott! Congrats on your Eurovision entry track “Promise” – it’s a belter! What’s the backstory behind the song?

“Promise” began as an intriguing introduction, with Danny begging the question: “Have you ever done anything like this before?” to which our answer as a band was, “Nope!”.

It felt like a great idea to explore, so we delved into it together. “Promise” lyrically is a reflection of the chaos in the world, and that sometimes we all just need a friend, partner or family to tell us it’ll be alright.

Eurovision loves a long-haired rock star, who have been some previous favourites of the genre?

We love Blind Channel from Finland. The staging was epic, and the theatrics for the performance are epic. Their performance has influenced us, and we hope to capture that same energy.

Australia is still a relatively new addition to Eurovision – how has the country embraced the madness of the competition?

By staying up to ungodly hours just to simply watch Eurovision! We’re more dedicated viewers by default, I think. Australia is such a massive cultural melting pot, so it only makes sense that Eurovision would be embraced so deeply. We love theatre, drama, the discussion about the music and the outfits.

This isn’t your first attempt to represent Australia at Eurovision. What has made 2023 the right year?

We were internally selected this year, but won the popular vote last year with our song “Dreamer” in 2022. I genuinely think we were a point of difference for Australia last year; a heavy band with a pop sheen, and our song had immediacy to it. This year, we believe it only made sense to be chosen to represent the country considering how close we came in 2022!

What parts of Liverpudlian culture are you most excited to experience?

Liverpool is such an art-focused city, so it’s going to be great to be immersed not only in the Eurovision culture, but the music and art scene that already exists there. If we have time it would be great to get to a pub and watch some local talent, perhaps visit the Beatles Museum too.

Who’s your favourite past Eurovision winner?

“Euphoria” by Loreen is just such a captivating and powerful song, it’s hard to go past. It’s both amazing and slightly intimidating to be competing against her this year as well!

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Music Interviews

Rooting for a eurovision singer of the same name.

Daniel Estrin

Voyager's Daniel Estrin rehearses "Promise" for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Chloe Hashemi/EBU hide caption

Voyager's Daniel Estrin rehearses "Promise" for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

A few years back, an email in my inbox sent to not quite the right address led me to a beautiful and bizarre discovery: there is a metal rocker in Australia who shares my name and has a half-shaven, half-Rapunzel head of hair.

We met five years later when he was visiting his sister in Jerusalem. Another five years after that, he was back in Tel Aviv when the city was hosting the Eurovision Song Contest , and we watched the finals together, cheering on Australia's contestant.

Daniel Estrin, lead singer of the Australian pop metal band Voyager. Michael Dann hide caption

Daniel Estrin, lead singer of the Australian pop metal band Voyager.

Who knew then that Daniel Estrin , immigration lawyer and rock star, would be on a meteoric rise to Eurovision fame? This week, his pop metal band Voyager is representing Australia on the Eurovision stage. For the first time, fans around the world can vote for their favorite song.

This called for a historic Daniel Estrin summit on NPR's Morning Edition , featuring a surprise guest: Daniel Estrin , the lead guitarist of the Grammy-nominated band Hoobastank , best known for its ballad The Reason , which is now making a comeback on the Netflix series Beef.

Daniel Estrin is lead guitarist of the Grammy-nominated band Hoobastank. Robbie Clark hide caption

Daniel Estrin is lead guitarist of the Grammy-nominated band Hoobastank.

We Daniels Estrin (that being the proper plural form) spoke together for the very first time, and Hoobastank's Dan Estrin shared his musical advice — and inhibitions — with Voyager's Danny Estrin ahead of his Eurovision debut. And we offered up our vocal talents singing the opening lyrics of Voyager's Eurovision entry, Promise .

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Interview highlights

On the song that Voyager will perform at Eurovision

Danny Estrin (Voyager): It's called "Promise." And the song, lyrically, is really all about the chaos that we see in the world today, and it's getting more and more and more chaotic. And that sometimes, you just got to find someone or something to tell you, hey, you know what? It's going to be all right.

Promise is Voyager's entry at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

On uniting three Daniels Estrin

Danny Estrin (Voyager): Well, it's been a dream to unite all the Daniels Estrin. So yes, I do, of course. I mean, he's very famous. And I hope that one day those three powers can combine, God knows what we can achieve.

Dan Estrin (Hoobastank): Hey, Daniel Estrins.

Danny Estrin (Voyager): This is phenomenal.

Dan Estrin's rock band Hoobastank had breakout success with the 2003 single The Reason.

Daniel Estrin (NPR): Do either of you guys get mistaken for each other or mistaken for me?

Danny Estrin (Voyager): Yeah. I mean we get NPR in Australia and so the number of times people go, 'oh, I didn't realize you were doing, like, radio as well, that's really cool. And, right, your accent has changed a bit though,' so I get that a lot. It's great.

Dan Estrin (Hoobastank): I have been tagged on, I'd say, Instagram, I've been tagged in photos of you many, many, many times — even like within the last week or two — from Voyager. Like there's been all the fans of yours that have posted in their stories a photo of you from, just like, recently, you know, last week. And then there's me tagged in it and I just get a kick out of it.

On advice for Daniel Estrin of Voyager as he performs at Eurovision

Dan Estrin (Hoobastank): I think that from what I've heard musically, it's really catchy. It's a sick song. I've been listening to it a lot ... My only advice is just continue. Continue to do what you love, continue to write music. And it sounds bitching. That song is really cool. When the band kicks in, like, the hair on my arms goes up a bit. I don't know man, I'm digging it.

NPR International Correspondent Daniel Estrin. Daniel Estrin hide caption

NPR International Correspondent Daniel Estrin.

On what its meant to speak to two other guys named Daniel Estrin

Danny Estrin (Voyager): To me, it's immense how wondrous connections are between humans and how incredibly closely and inextricably linked we all actually are ... and, to pardon the motto of Eurovision this year, which is United By Music, that's literally what we are. I know, again, it's not very not very metal to be all positive and lovey-dovey, but that's the message to me. And it's meant a lot that this has happened today. It's just bizarre and awesome.

Dan Estrin (Hoobastank): I would have had just assumed that Danny and the Voyager camp probably were just like, "uch, Hoobastank." That's just kind of where my head goes a lot, you know, like someone's clowning us or someone thinks we're idiots or we suck ... we are well-known for this ballad-y song. That's kind of how I felt initially. But then when I was reached out by Daniel, I was like, it's probably not like that. He's probably super dope and cool and, you know, let's do this.

Danny Estrin (Voyager): I'm kind of sad that you thought this was a spoof. I admire your work. I think it's amazing. It is one of the hardest things in the world to write a song that makes it so big and then it's in the zeitgeist of literally every single person. So kudos to you. Keep doing what you're doing.

Chad Campbell produced the audio version of this interview.

• digital doppelgangers
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• May 11, 2023

Voyager's Top 10 favourite songs from their back catalogue

Voyager are a familiar name to Eurovision fans - being both the Australian Eurovision representitives this year and participating in the Australian national final 'Eurovision - Australia Decides' in 2022. For many of us, 'Dreamer' and 'Promise' might have been the only Voyager songs to have graced our ears...today that's going to change!

The Perth based progressive metal bands career spans over four decades, seven albums and dozens of songs - there is no shortage of ripper Voyager tunes to sink your teeth into!

In some exciting news - they've announced an eigth album 'Fearless in Love' - details here .

We went to the band members Simone (Guitars), Ash (Drums), Alex (Bass & backing vocals), Scott (Guitars) and Danny (Vocals and keytar) and asked them: "Which three songs from Voyager's back catalogue do you think fans should check out?" and these were some of their suggestions:

'Ascension': Ghost Mile (2017)

Track Number: #1

"If it’s our best songs for grabbing a listener's immediate attention, I’d say 'Ascension' from our sixth album Ghost Mile" -Simone

"You can’t really go wrong with 'Ascension'; it’s still one of my favourite songs to play live." -Scott

'Broken': The Meaning of I (2011)

Track Number: #4

"Before I was a member of the band, I got hooked on the song 'Broken', it’s a great modern-sounding fusion of EDM and metal that’s become a big part of our sound." - Ash

'Prince of Fire': Flearless in Love (2023)

Track Number: #2

Fresh off their new album 'Fearless In Love' set to release July 14 2023. The new album will also feature previously released singles 'Submarine' and their Australia Decides 2022 entry 'Dreamer' .

Pre-save and pre-order 'Fearless In Love' here .

'Severomance': Colours in the Sun (2019)

"'Severomance' is a song that really gets under my skin and gives me the feels." - Ash

'Close Your Eyes': I Am the Revolution (2009)

Track Number: #5

"'Close Your Eyes' is a song that the band wrote before I joined, and I think it’s amazing. The chorus has this awesome vocal layering that sent chills down my spine the first time I heard it." - Scott

'To the Morning Light': Element V (2003)/'The Morning Light': V (2014)

Track Number: #2 (Element V) & #11 (V)

"'To The Morning Light ' was the first Voyager song I ever heard, and we re-recorded it for our fifth album, V . It’s a Voyager classic, yet still encapsulates what Voyager does even today." - Scott

'Misery is Only Company': Ghost Mile (2017)

"I’m very proud of the song 'Misery is Only Company', the chorus is so anthemic and the song is quite intricate under the surface." -Ash

'Sober': from Univers (2007)

Recommended by the enthusasic bassist and backing vocalist Alex who gave us MANY song suggestions. Fair enough - with a back catalouge like Voyager's it's almost impossible to choose just a handful!

'Colours': from Colours in the Sun (2019)

Track number: 1

"I’d say 'Ascension' from our sixth album Ghost Mile, 'Hyperventilating' from our fifth album V and probably ' Colours ' from our last album Colours in the Sun. All three are tunes that have stayed in our set list since releasing, and not just because they are fan favourites, but some of our favourites to play live too and really encapsulate everything that makes a Voyager tune." -Simone

At Eurovison

The band have been busy rehearsing for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Voyager will be competing in semi-final 2 on May 11 (May 12 early morning in Australia) .

Get to know each member of Voyager in our Q&A profiles.

Follow and support Voyager at: https://ffm.bio/voyagerau

For continued updates on all the Eurovision 2023 news follow Aussievision on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. All links at: https://linktr.ee/aussievisionnet

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Harvest has begun in Australia.

As we continue our journey through the Southern Hemisphere's wine regions, we pivot our focus toward Australia's vast and varied landscapes. Far from being a monolithic wine-producing giant, Australia is a mosaic of microclimates and terroirs, each imparting its unique signature on the wines produced. From the cool, misty hills of Tasmania to the sun-baked terrains of Barossa Valley, the country's wine regions offer a tapestry of flavors, styles, and stories.

Sommelier and importer Jane Lopes, who recently co-authored the book, How to Drink Australian , with her husband Jonathan Ross, has a deep understanding of Australian wines.

"In Australia for vintage 2024, I'm reminded how much regional and vintage variation the country experiences," she reflects.

This observation underscores the country's diversity, where the timing and character of the harvest can vary dramatically from one region to another.

"As we made our way across the country in late February, some regions were almost finished with harvest, while others are not anticipating getting started for another month," Lopes adds, highlighting the vast differences in climate and growing conditions across the continent.

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Australia's wine regions can be likened to a couple of dozen winegrowing areas, each with its own identity rather than a single, homogeneous entity.

"Australia has every winegrowing climate you can imagine – Alpine, Mediterranean, Maritime, Continental, etc.," Lopes notes, emphasizing the country's climatic diversity.

This variety is not just a challenge for winemakers but also an opportunity to produce a wide range of wines, each expressing the unique characteristics of its terroir.

But one constant, regardless of the region, is the palpable excitement that permeates the air as the harvest season approaches.

"It's always an exciting time of year, as grape-growers and winemakers continue to hone their craft and get another year's harvest in the works," Lopes shares, capturing the anticipation and energy that build as each region prepares to bring in the fruits of a year's labor.

As we delve into the heart of Australia's wine country, we'll explore the unique challenges and triumphs of the 2024 vintage, meet the passionate individuals behind the labels, and discover the innovative practices shaping Australian wine's future. Join us as we uncover the stories of resilience, creativity, and tradition that define Australia's wine industry.

Voyager Estate, Margaret River, Western Australia

Winemaker Tim Shand shares about the 2024 vintage at Voyager Estate

We begin in the Margaret River region of far west Australia, known for its exceptional Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Tim Shand of the renowned Voyager Estate shares his insights on the 2024 vintage in this captivating corner of the wine world.

Voyager Estate is situated in the southern part of the Margaret River region, nestled between the Indian and Southern oceans.

"Margaret River is best known for Chardonnay and Cabernet, though in true Australian style, we also try our hand at Syrah, Chenin Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends," Shand explains.

Winemaker Tim Shand at Voyager Estate in Margaret River, Western Australia.

The region's climate is heavily influenced by its proximity to the coast, with the ocean tempering the afternoon heat and providing ample rainfall during winter.

However, the 2024 growing season has presented its fair share of challenges.

"This year has been historically dry, with no significant rain events over the season and three distinct heatwaves—perhaps a sign of things to come. We commenced harvest on the 25th January, about three weeks ahead of 'normal,'" Shand reveals.

Despite these obstacles, Voyager Estate's commitment to organic farming has helped build resilience in the land and the vines.

"We are thankful in a drier year that we have higher levels of organic matter and carbon in the soil than when the vineyard was run conventionally. Water holding capacity is enhanced, and our mid-rows are well protected by a thatch of straw left behind by a lush cover crop," Shand notes.

As the harvest progresses, Shand remains optimistic about the quality of the wines.

"We're about halfway through, with all the whites in and starting into Syrah. With the warm days and low yields, it's been coming in fast. Chardonnay held freshness well considering the conditions and is showing more generous fruit than 2023," he shares.

The key to red wines is maintaining a balance between flavor, sugar, and tannin maturity. "

If we can nail that balance, it will be an excellent year for reds," Shand predicts.

Voyager Estate is particularly excited about their Syrah this year, having stylistically changed how they grew and made the wine last year.

"There's more energy and tension in the wine now due to healthier vines, less new oak, and earlier picking dates. This year, making that red-fruited, supple style of Syrah will not be as straightforward. Still, I'm hopeful that we can hold to the new way," Shand concludes, showcasing the estate's commitment to innovation and adaptability in the face of challenging conditions.

Colleen Miller Walks the vineayards of Merite Wines in Wrattonbully.

Merite Wines, Wrattonbully, Limestone Coast

Winemaker Tim Shand at Voyager EstateIn the heart of the Limestone Coast GI, situated halfway between Adelaide and Melbourne, lies the Wrattonbully wine region, known for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Colleen Miller, co-founder of Merite Wines, shares her insights on the 2024 harvest in this captivating corner of the Australian wine world. Wrattonbully sits on the 40th parallel south and, as Miller explains,

"The drawcard here is classic premium red wine grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot."

The growing season started with a cool-to-warm and dry spring until the end of November, which coincided with fruit set in Wrattonbully and veraison in regions further north.

"Weather patterns in the Limestone Coast then changed to have regular rains until around veraison. Since then, we have enjoyed warm and dry days as we enter the ripening period," Miller adds.

However, the regular rains between set and veraison presented some challenges for the region's viticulturists.

" The regular rains between set and veraison created a large amount of additional work in the vineyards. In Australia, this period coincides with the Christmas, New Year, and summer school holidays, so with labor shortages, viticulturists needed to be on their toes this season to ensure work was done on time," Miller reveals.

As the harvest approaches, Miller is optimistic about the quality of the wines. "We're in the ripening period, and it is a lovely warm and dry pattern – at the moment, days regularly reach 25C/77F with occasional days reaching 34C/90F while nighttime temperatures dip down to 8C/46F to 12C/53F. This is the result of one of the gifts of our region – the Bonney Upwelling – which pulls frigid nutrient-rich waters from Antarctica carrying a krill food source for endangered animals like the blue whale and also creates cooling nighttime breezes in vineyards during our ripening period," she explains. "This predictable event from January to April helps create the wide diurnal temperature swing needed for producing the qualities essential to creating premium red wines."

With the calm, dry weather pattern expected to continue, Miller and her team look forward to harvesting their red grapes at optimal ripeness in the coming weeks.

"Should this calm dry pattern continue, we will have the luxury of choosing the optimum dates to harvest fruit at its perfect ripeness. We look forward to harvesting our red grapes in a few weeks," Miller concludes, showcasing the estate's commitment to producing exceptional wines that showcase the unique terroir of the Wrattonbully region.

Vino Volta, Swan Valley, near Perth, Western Australia

Winemaker Garth Cliff shares thoughts on the 2024 vintage at Vino Volta

In the Swan Valley, a subregion of the Swan District on the outskirts of Perth, Australia, we meet with Garth Cliff, the passionate winemaker behind Vino Volta. Cliff and his team focus on showcasing the most suitable varieties for the region, including Chenin Blanc, Grenache, and Verdelho, some of which were introduced during the early days of European settlement in the 19th century.

"With climate change upon us and working in a warm to hot climate already, these varieties are well adapted, and we are exploring other varieties that should be well suited. Fiano, Dolcetto, and Vermentino are varieties that we are either producing or sourcing from surrounding warm-climate regions," Cliff explains.

The 2024 growing season proved to be one of the most interesting Cliff has ever experienced, with the combination of an El Niño and a very positive Indian Ocean Dipole.

"The combination of low yields, especially in our dry-grown vineyards, along with a warm spring—it felt like we stepped straight out of winter into summer-like conditions—meant that the vines went through all of their growth phases quicker than usual, with some of our vineyards ripe a full month earlier than ever before," Cliff reveals.

Fortunately, this allowed the Vino Volta team to harvest before the hottest period of summer, resulting in grapes with excellent flavor and natural acidity.

The compressed nature of the harvest posed some challenges for Cliff and his team.

"Our major challenge was believing what we were seeing and being ready to take in grapes on the first days of January, reds and whites ready simultaneously meant a very compressed year. Low yields and rapid ripening meant we had to be on the ball to get the best results," he shares.

Despite the challenges, Cliff is optimistic about the quality of the wines from this vintage.

"Yields, especially on our old dry-grown vineyards, were down by 50%. These vineyards have produced amazing fruit in terms of concentration, flavors, and natural acidity, so we are positive that we will have good results this year. These vines have adapted well to their growing environment," he notes.

One of the most exciting projects for Vino Volta this year is their Pezzonovante Grenache, sourced from a 50-year-old dry-grown vineyard.

"For the past two years, we have been shoot thinning immediately following flowering to expose the bunches as early as possible to sunlight. This early exposure gives them thicker and more evenly colored skins and even ripening, and these are all things that Grenache can struggle with," Cliff explains.

The team has practiced this management technique for the past two vintages, with even better results expected for the 2024 wines.

Moorilla and Domaine A Wines , Derwent Valley, Coal Valley, and Tamar Valley, Tasmania

A glimpse of the 2024 vintage in Australia

In Tasmania, Conor van der Reest, the winemaker behind Moorilla and Domaine A, is embracing the unique challenges and opportunities of the 2024 vintage.

"Despite Tasmania being such a big island and having many different growing regions, we only have one GI, Tasmania," says van der Reest. It's a good thing, I think, because it's easy to talk about Tasmania, and people can recognize that name easier than we can talk about the many different regions.

Moorilla and Domaine A have vineyards in three distinct regions: the Derwent Valley, the Coal Valley in the south, and the Tamar Valley in the north.

With some of the oldest vineyards in each region, Moorilla and Domaine A work with an impressive array of varieties.

"The original plantings were done as a bit of an experiment, so even though we're quite a small producer, we have 27 wines grown between the three vineyards. Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Sauvignon are the varieties we have the most plantings of," van der Reest shares.

The 2024 growing season has been a welcome relief after a string of low-cropping years.

"This season has been quite good, a relief after a few low-cropping seasons in a row. We've had a sunnier season, warm for Tasmania, and quite dry. The main influencer for us is weather over flowering. We can have very windy weather, and that can affect fruit set. This year, we thankfully had great weather over flowering," says van der Reest.

One of the main challenges faced by the team at Moorilla and Domaine A was the dry conditions coming out of winter.

"Our southern vineyards had very little winter rain - we depend on that. As such, we've had to monitor our soil moisture levels. We irrigate but only as much as we need to, so much more time has been spent this year monitoring and maintaining that balance," van der Reest notes.

As the harvest begins, van der Reest is optimistic about the quality of the wines.

"We've started! The base for the sparkling wine is in, which makes this a very early year—about three weeks earlier than normal, opposite to last year, which was one of our latest," he says. Expectations are very high, though. With a return to normal yields following the last three low seasons in a row, we're seeing warm and dry days but quite cool nights. It's shaping up to have a brilliant season."

Looking to the future, van der Reest is particularly excited about a new addition to the Domaine A vineyard.

"This is our first crop of Malbec. We planted it a few years ago to bring another dimension to our Domaine A Cabernet blends," he says. It's a bit of an experiment, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how it comes out!"

Chalmers Wines, Heathcote and Murray Darling, Victoria, Australia

The vineyards of Chalmers in Victoria, Australia

In the heart of Victoria, Australia, Tennille Chalmers and her team at Chalmers Wines work with vineyards in the Heathcote and Murray Darling regions. The brand is known for focusing on southern Italian varieties that thrive in the warm, sunny conditions of these unique terroirs.

"Both sites had a wetter-than-usual spring with unseasonal heavy rainfalls, similar to the patterns seen in the last three vintages," says Chalmers. The ripening season, though, from January has seen more classic conditions for both our regions.

In Heathcote, this means a warm to hot summer with dry conditions. At the same time, the Murray Darling region has experienced consistently high temperatures ranging from 35-40 degrees Celsius at least five days a week.

"Both sites have cool nights, especially the Murray Darling vineyard, which has a desert-type climate due to its location closer to central Australia. The cool nights have been perfect relief for the vines and grapes in a hot vintage," Chalmers notes.

The hot weather conditions have led to an earlier and more compact harvest period compared to the previous three vintages.

"Even so, this vintage, with its very compact nature due to our high temperatures during the ripening period, has kept us on our toes, that's for sure," says Chalmers. "It's led to even more time than usual tasting in the field. Ripeness has moved faster than usual, and we're always aiming to harvest at exactly the right time when the fruit has all the components of flavor, freshness, and balance."

Chalmers expresses enthusiasm for the wine quality as the harvest progresses.

"Harvest is advancing well, with many dry ferments already underway," she says. "We're particularly excited by the wines' lush fruit profiles and retained fresh acidity resulting from shorter ripening periods due to the heat. The flavors in the varieties are exceptional, combined with a freshness that aligns perfectly with our wine styles at Chalmers."

Chalmers is enthusiastic about two wines this year: the Chalmers Heathcote Vermentino and the Mother Block Red Blend from the Murray Darling vineyard. For the 2024 Vermentino, Chalmers highlights, "This vintage shows a perfect balance, with classic ripe yellow grapefruit flavors, a touch of sun-kissed warmth, and crisp minerality." Regarding the Mother Block Red Blend, Chalmers adds, "The 2024 vintage is exceptionally fragrant and delightfully fresh, with a medium body."

Somos Wines, McLaren Vale, South Australia

Italian varieties such as Aglianico are hallmarks of the Somos portfolio.

In the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, South Australia, winemaker Mauricio Ruiz of Somos Wines is navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of the 2024 harvest season. Known for focusing on Mediterranean varieties such as Vermentino, Fiano, and Aglianico, Somos Wines embraces the mild summer and moderate lead-up to this year's vintage.

"This year, we've had a mild summer, with quite the moderate lead-up. We really kicked into gear in March, and there's still some way to go," Ruiz explains.

Despite the intermittent rains and cool conditions, Ruiz and his team have been able to maintain low disease pressure by keeping the canopies loose and the vine loads smaller.

"I'm quite excited by this vintage. Usually, we have to worry about things not looking too big, ripe, or extracted, but this year, things seem a lot more moderate, so the wines should have real freshness and drinkability from early on," he shares.

One of the most exciting developments for Somos Wines this year is their collaboration with new biodynamic vineyard blocks and the addition of Alvarinho to their portfolio.

"We are working closely with some new biodynamic blocks, and we are taking Alvarinho for the first time into the winery, which is a variety that I personally love and have wanted to make for quite some time," Ruiz reveals.

As Mauricio Ruiz and his team at Somos Wines navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 2024 harvest, their commitment to showcasing the unique terroir of McLaren Vale through their Mediterranean varieties and their willingness to experiment with new grapes and biodynamic practices are sure to yield a captivating array of wines that will continue to put this region on the map.

Gant & Co Wines, Karridal, Margaret River, Western Australia

Chardonnay is a star grape in Western Australia's Margaret River

In the remote and picturesque Karridale subregion of Margaret River, Matt Gant and his wife Claudia are crafting elegant and refined wines that showcase the unique terroir of this cool-climate region. Located just 15 kilometers from the cooling influence of the Southern Ocean, Gant & Co's 25-hectare vineyard is planted primarily to Chardonnay, with smaller plots of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.

"Whilst Margaret River is a young wine region—only 50 years old—it has established an enviable reputation for producing world-class Chardonnay. And Karridale, the coolest sub-region, is producing the most refined and elegant styles here," Gant explains.

Despite the dry spring and summer, Gant and his team have been able to achieve physiological ripeness across the board through careful crop management.

"It's been a fantastic harvest, one out of the box," he exclaims. The highlights are Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a rarity for both varieties to look so strong in our more marginal climate, but this is a one-in-20-year harvest, and we're super excited!"

Gant is particularly excited about adding Alvarinho (A white Portuguese variety from the Vinho Verde region) to their portfolio.

"This year, we picked our first harvest of Alvarinho," he says. At this point, we have just completed fermentation, and the wine looks amazing—aromatic and textural with great energy. Karridale has a similar climate to this part of Portugal, and the variety looks to be well suited to our neck of the woods," Gant shares.

Gant's passion for Portuguese varieties extends beyond the Gant & Co vineyard. He also serves as a director and consultant winemaker for Quinta da Pedra Alta in the Douro region of Portugal. This international experience has undoubtedly influenced his approach to winemaking in Margaret River, as he seeks to showcase the unique qualities of each variety and the distinct terroir of the Karridale subregion.

As our exploration of the 2024 harvest across Australia's diverse wine regions concludes, we're reminded of this continent's vastness and variety. From the windswept coasts of Margaret River to the sun-drenched valleys of McLaren Vale, each region tells its own unique story through the lens of the harvest. The multitude of microclimates, from Alpine to Continental, shapes a wine landscape as varied as the country itself, ensuring that each bottle captures a distinct sense of place. As we raise a glass to the 2024 vintage, we celebrate the wine and the spirit of Australian winemaking, a harmonious blend of tradition and forward-thinking that continues to evolve with each passing year.

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Eurovision hits out at ‘targeted social media campaigns’ against artists

Statement comes amid reports that Israel’s singer Eden Golan has received death threats

Organisers of the Eurovision song contest have hit out at “targeted social media campaigns” against competitors amid reports of threats against the singer for Israel.

This year’s competition, to take place in May in Sweden, has been rocked by controversy over Israel’s participation at a time when its war with Hamas has left Gaza in tatters.

The European Broadcasting Union acknowledged in a statement “the depth of feeling and the strong opinions that this year’s Eurovision song contest – set against the backdrop of a terrible war in the Middle East – has provoked”.

While expressing understanding that “people will want to engage in debate and express their deeply held views on this matter”, it raised concerns about “targeted social media campaigns” against some artists.

The statement did not name the performers in questions, but it came amid reports that Israeli singer Eden Golan, 20, has received death threats through her Instagram account.

“While we strongly support freedom of speech and the right to express opinions in a democratic society, we firmly oppose any form of online abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists or any individuals associated with the contest,” the EBU statement said.

Targeting Eurovision artists was “unacceptable and totally unfair”, it said.

It highlighted that “the decision to include any broadcaster, including the Israeli broadcaster Kan, in the Eurovision song contest is the sole responsibility of the EBU’s governing bodies and not that of the individual artists”.

“These artists come to Eurovision to share their music, culture and the universal message of unity through the language of music.”

Israel’s public broadcaster is an EBU member and can therefore take part in the Eurovision contest.

The EBU did however force Israel to change the lyrics of Golan’s song October Rain, deeming it too political, which is against Eurovision rules.

The initial entry was widely considered to reference the victims of Hamas’s 7 October attack in Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.

But last month, Eurovision agreed she could take part with a second entry, Hurricane, which features the same music but different lyrics.

EBU said it was “dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for all participants, staff and fans of the Eurovision song contest”.

“We urge everyone to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue and support the artists who are working tirelessly – on what is a music and entertainment show – to share their music with the world.”

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