Daniel Ricciardo gives a big hint about his post-F1 career as he steps out in Sydney with billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes

Aussie F1 champion Daniel Ricciardo has a burning desire to return to the top of the podium with Red Bull before he retires, but he has given his fans a big clue about what he has in store when he finally hangs up his helmet.

Ricciardo has worn many hats during his racing career, dabbling in media, photography, influencing and even taking on the role of Chief of Optimism with telecommunications giant Optus.

But a love of wine that has endured since childhood has led the F1 star to forge a partnership with billionaire pub baron Justin Hemmes that could be the beginning of a long career in the industry.

Ricciardo is current with Red Bull-owned Scuderia AlphaTauri with a view to returning to his old team next season where he wants to race alongside and beat ex-teammate and world champion Max Verstappen.

In the meantime he has established his own wine label, St Hugo Ric Red, which Hemmes is promoting in Sydney.

The Ric Red is described as being "inspired by genuine, honest, in-the-moment good times, with good food, good music, and great friends" and "plush, opulent and generous, an Australian modern masterpiece of open and inviting fruit with a little hint of something more". 

Racing fans and wine enthusiasts will now be able to order the Ric Red range at select Merivale restaurants, with Ricciardo and Hemmes spotted at at Totti's Bondi on December 7 to celebrate their new partnership. 

'It's definitely a nice little creative outlet for me,' Ricciardo told the Sydney Morning Herald.

'I love racing – it's obviously my first passion – but I don't want to be consumed by it every hour of every day. I always look to have a few little positive distractions in my life. Being creative is part of what keeps me going.'

It's not Ricciardo's first foray into the wine industry.

The Aussie champion is renowned for taking the great Australian celebration the shoey to the global stage, and he previously released a shoe-shaped wine decanter in partnership with the St Hugo wine brand.

Ricciardo said his love of wine was a family affair, starting with his grandparents making their own tipple with limited success. 

'This is something that's put a smile on my dad's face because he grew up interested and passionate about wine,' Ricciardo said.

'His parents made wine in their garage, but I used to call that vinegar.

'Look, I'm new to this, and I don't expect to know everything, but they've allowed me to chase the experience I'm after.

'We're making sure that no one is calling it vinegar.'