Guides lead the way

Wine consultant and educator Dan Sims, who has been involved in the Wine Guide consultancy with sommelier Ben Edwards since 2010, has started a new events business.

He is teaming up with Jess Ho, until last week the brand manager for the Lucas Group, of Chin Chin and Baby Pizzeria fame.

"I'm still involved with Ben but we are no longer monogamous," Sims says.

Under the working title Bottle Shop, the new business will organise wine and other hospitality-based events.

One project the new team is working on is the pinot noir event Pinotpalooza, now in its second year, and Game of Rhones, to be held in Melbourne for the first time later this month. Other national and international projects are also planned.

Meanwhile, Edwards is settling into Villa Gusto in the Buckland Valley after a trip overseas.