Summer 2025 Drinking Trends: Light, Bright and Ready to Chill

As summer 2025 unfolds, the Australian wine scene is embracing a refreshing new rhythm. According to the Future of the Bottle report by Dan Murphy’s owned Endeavour Group, drinkers nationwide are turning away from big, bold reds and heavy whites, and instead favour lighter, fresher, and more sessionable wines that suit the way we actually live – outdoors, relaxed and on the move.

Across every state, the story is consistent: approachability, flavour and refreshment are the new watchwords for wine. From chilled reds to zesty whites and sparkling styles, the season ahead is all about easy enjoyment without compromise.

It’s good news for those who love Holm Oak – these are exactly the type of wines that we’ve long been making. Not chasing trends, but making wines that suit our climate and naturally align with the vision that Bec and Tim share. Perfectly crafted from our cool-climate Tasmanian vineyards, there truly is a wine for your table this summer! Read on to discover what’s hot in Summer 2025.

Who’s Drinking What, and Where

The Future of the Bottle report breaks down the trends across Australia, painting a fascinating picture of regional tastes and shifting preferences:

• Victoria: Leading the charge for Pinot Noir, with drinkers embracing lighter reds that balance flavour and finesse. Victoria has also seen strong growth in Prosecco and Pinot Gris — showing a continued preference for brightness and aromatic appeal.
• New South Wales: Chardonnay continues to reign supreme, but the report highlights Pinot Noir as an underexplored opportunity in this state — a signal that drinkers are ready for something lighter and more elegant.
• Queensland: Reflecting its warm climate, Moscato and Rosé are among the top performers, offering sweet, refreshing options for easy summer sipping.
• South Australia: Still a stronghold for Shiraz, but the rise of lighter Chardonnay styles and Pinot Noir shows a growing shift toward more balanced, food-friendly wines.
• Tasmania: Cool-climate styles continue to shine. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay remain the state’s signatures, celebrated for purity, acidity and elegance — all traits perfectly in step with the national move toward freshness and finesse. Tasmanian sparkling is also attracting attention, reflecting the state’s premium winemaking reputation.
• Western Australia: Consumers are leaning into Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, reflecting the state’s love of crisp, aromatic whites with coastal charm.

Together, these insights show a clear move toward lighter-bodied, refreshing varietals across the nation — and set the tone for how Australians will be drinking through summer 2025. Bring on the warmer weather (it was 15 degrees down here in Tasmania today in mid-October).

Key Summer 2025 Varietal Trends

Keen to explore some of the trends around different wine varietals to drink? We break down some of the key trends that will have you telling tales of wine at your next dinner party! Here’s the inside knowledge:

Pinot Noir: The Chillable Red with Year-Round Appeal

Pinot Noir is fast becoming the red wine of the moment. Once reserved for cooler seasons, it’s now finding its place in the summer sun – literally. The trend toward “chillable reds” is growing, with more Australians discovering how beautifully Pinot Noir performs when lightly cooled. 

Its soft tannins, lifted aromatics and juicy red-berry flavours make it the perfect bridge between red and white wine lovers. Pinot’s versatility is part of its charm: it pairs seamlessly with summer fare like grilled salmon, duck, mushrooms and even barbecue pork.

Our Holm Oak Pinot Noir collection includes five different wines to choose from. Pull together a simple charcuterie board and you’ll see why Pinot Noir (especially our Protégé Pinot Noir) is the go-to red for summer.

Chardonnay: A Classic Reimagined

No varietal has evolved as dramatically as Chardonnay, and we all know it’s a favourite white of our Winemaker Bec. Holm Oak makes three different styles of Chardonnay! Once defined by bold, buttery richness, today’s Australian Chardonnay is leaner, fresher and more refined, aligning with drinkers’ growing preference for balance and drinkability.

The Future of the Bottle report notes that Chardonnay remains one of the most popular varietals nationally — particularly in New South Wales and South Australia — but the style profile has changed. Consumers are seeking citrus-driven wines with subtle oak, clean acidity and a touch of minerality. The Holm Oak Chardonnay strikes a chord here, as does the Protégé Chardonnay that’s proving to be a new favourite for those moments that need a glass of wine during the week!

This new wave of Chardonnay is elegant and food-friendly, equally at home beside oysters and salads as it is with roast chicken. Perfect for those who know and love our Wizard Chardonnay for special occasions.

Lighter-Style Whites: Crisp, Coastal and Made for Summer

Beyond Chardonnay, lighter whites like Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Arneis are flourishing. Their bright aromatics, refreshing acidity and texture make them perfect for casual lunches, alfresco entertaining and long, warm evenings. 

Wine lovers are also gravitating toward lower-alcohol and sustainably made wines, further reinforcing the appeal of these lighter styles. Did you know our Holm Oak Pinot Gris is our most popular white wine? And our Riesling is not far behind. Our Arneis is the only planting as far as we know in Tasmania and a favourite among our club members. 

Aromatic whites are proving to be perfect pairing partners – versatile, vibrant and endlessly enjoyable.

Moscato: Fun, Fresh and on the Rise

In warmer states such as Queensland, Moscato is making a sparkling comeback. Its light fizz, floral perfume and delicate sweetness make it the ultimate “holiday wine” – approachable, playful and perfectly suited to long summer afternoons.  

The Future of the Bottle report highlights Moscato’s continued strength among younger Gen Z drinkers as a low-alcohol, social wine. It also benefits from the rising popularity of spritz culture — wine cocktails, sparkling blends and refreshing serves over ice. 

Holm Oak fans can join The Moscato Society to enjoy a curated selection, or learn more about what makes our Moscato so special further on our website.

Sparkling Wines: The Celebration Companion

Sparkling wine is enjoying a resurgence, with Australians increasingly reaching for bubbles to mark summer celebrations or casual outdoor occasions. The report highlights growth in premium sparkling – particularly Tasmanian sparkling, prized for its elegance, fine mousse and bright acidity. 

Our Holm Oak Sparkling Collection reflects this trend, offering versatile wines that are perfect as an aperitif, poolside refreshment, or paired with seafood and canapés. Prosecco, Tasmanian sparkling or lightly aromatic blends – fine sparkling is firmly back in favour this season.

Rosé: Summer’s Seasonal Star 

Rosé continues to thrive in warmer states, with Queensland and Victoria showing strong growth in consumption. Its refreshing fruit character, delicate structure and vibrant colour make it the ultimate summer wine – perfect for alfresco lunches, picnics and casual gatherings. 

The report highlights the versatility of Rosé, making it ideal as a standalone wine or as a food-friendly accompaniment to light meals. Its popularity is part of the broader trend toward approachable, fresh wines that are effortless to enjoy. 

Other Trends Defining Summer 2025

Beyond varietals, the Future of the Bottle report identifies several overarching trends:

• Freshness and flavour: Wines that feel vibrant, aromatic and lively.
• Chillable reds and versatile whites: Flexibility matters — wines that transition easily from lunch to dinner, indoors to outdoors.
• Younger drinkers rewriting the rules: Millennials and Gen Z prioritise taste, occasion and enjoyment over tradition.
• Sustainability and local stories: Provenance matters more than ever — wines that reflect their region and maker connect strongly with consumers. As a family-owned winery with a focus on sustainability, we’re delighted to see these trends gaining momentum.

The message is clear: light is in. Whether it’s a gently chilled Pinot Noir, a crisp cool-climate Chardonnay, a playful Moscato, zesty aromatic white, sparkling or Rosé, the season ahead is defined by wines that feel effortless.

These are wines made for connection — with friends, food, and the simple joy of long Australian summer days.

Footnote – it should be noted that this data is based on purchase information from Endeavour Group. Many of our on-premise and specialist independent retailers may well see different trends.