REAL ESTATE POWER COUPLE'S GREATEST DEAL ARRIVES FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

For Ray White AKG Group chief executive Avi Khan and his fiancée, top-performing agent Kaylea Sayer, no multimillion-dollar property transaction could rival their most treasured arrival, daughter Zara Mae Khan, born just in time for Valentine’s Day.

In a testament to her renowned work ethic, Ms Sayer continued assisting clients from her hospital bed just days after giving birth, finalising settlements while cradling her newborn daughter.

“I had two properties settle yesterday,” said Ms Sayer, who worked right up until Zara’s arrival.

“I am so grateful for my clients, buyers and sellers, they’ve been amazing – I was literally lying in bed organising settlements.”

Weighing 3.5 kilograms, Zara made her entrance at 11.28 pm on Sunday, February 8, at Mater Mothers’ Private Hospital in South Brisbane, arriving just one day after her due date.

“It was my due date, and I was having lunch at mum’s when I started feeling a bit off,” Ms Sayer said.

“I said to Avi, ‘I think we should go home.”

Later that day, her waters broke at home, and the couple headed to the hospital, where an emotional four-hour labour followed.

The experience became even more meaningful when Ms Sayer’s obstetrician, Dr Jill Cox, who was not scheduled to work that weekend, logged in remotely before travelling to the hospital to personally assist with the birth.

“She wasn’t supposed to work that weekend, but she came in around 10 pm,” Ms Sayer said.

“I thought she had just come into work, but she told me she came specifically to help Avi and I. It was so nice having her there.”

For Mr Khan, already a devoted father to Aisha, 12, and Amir, 10, welcoming Zara brought a profound sense of perspective.

“It’s hard to put into words,” he says softly. “In that instant, everything else fades away. Nothing matters except that little heartbeat in your hands.”

“Even the third time, it doesn’t feel routine. It feels sacred. You look at them and think, ‘I am a father.’ And it hits you just as powerfully as the first time.”

The couple selected the name Zara for its shared cultural significance.

“We wanted something that resonated with both our identities,” Mr Khan said.

“Zara means princess, radiance, and blooming flower. It has really cool meanings in both English and Muslim backgrounds”.

Ms Sayer’s professional drive has been evident throughout her career. Entering real estate at just 16 years old, she worked throughout her pregnancy, including helping organise the company’s flagship The One conference, which attracted more than 1000 of Australia’s leading real estate performers while she was nine months pregnant.

“January was actually the easiest month,” she said.

“I knew I was on the home stretch.”

Valentine’s Day celebrations this year, however, will take on a more intimate tone.

“We’ll probably be changing nappies, eating in, and watching a cool movie together,” Mr Khan said.

With strong family support, a high-performing team and now baby Zara completing their household, Mr Khan believes balancing professional ambition with family life is both achievable and deeply rewarding.

“There’s no manual for any of this,” he said.

“But with good family, good support, and a good team around us, we’ll figure it out.”

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

REAL ESTATE POWER COUPLE’S GREATEST DEAL ARRIVES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Powerhouse real estate couple Avi Khan and Kaylea Sayer welcome their daughter while balancing record-breaking careers, proving success and family can grow side by side.

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.