2023 Winemakers’ Lunches
Each year, we host a series of Winemakers’ Lunches, poised to celebrate the vineyards, farmers and local suppliers that make our building thrive. We explore some of the country's most acclaimed wine regions - providing an opportunity to hear from the winemakers directly on the conditions and influences of each vintage.
Throughout 2023, we welcomed many exciting producers from across Victoria, celebrated varieties from near and far, and explored food and wine pairings that made our palates sing.
Our Winemakers’ Lunches will return in 2024. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when bookings are released.
2023’s Winemakers
May
South Gippsland
David Chapman, Allies Winery
Since 2003, David Chapman has established himself as one of Victoria's experts on Pinot Noir. Under the Allies label, David worked with several single vineyards to craft unique expressions of Pinot Noir. In 2018, David purchased a property in South Gippsland and naturally planted a vineyard. Located just north of the Corner Inlet Marine Park, the region showcases some of the coolest growing conditions through the Gippsland region.
Lisa and Justin Jenkins, Fleet Wines
Fleet Wines was born from a desire to better understand the flavours and textures of some of the world's great wines. Since 2016, the couple has explored Gippsland and other Victorian regions by crafting individual wines year-on-year. Lisa and Justin take inspiration from the vineyard, prioritising fruit quality and sustainable growing conditions over a dogmatic stance in the winery.
Originally planted in 1975, founders John and Catherine Thomson were pioneers in exploring the viticultural potential of the far south-west of Victoria. Now an undeniable benchmark of Australian wine, Belinda meticulously manages the Crawford River vineyard throughout the growing season to produce precise and much-lauded Riesling. The estate’s sensational Cabernet Sauvignon fruit results in wines that consistently show a remarkable capacity to age.
July
Victorian-grown Rhône Valley varieties
Adam Foster, Syrahmi
Based in Heathcote, Adam Foster is a former chef turned sommelier, turned winemaker! Adam has been making wines under the Syrahmi label since 2004. With an enviable resume working at iconic producers including Torbreck, Jasper Hill and Domaine Ogier, we believe Adam is one of the most exciting and thoughtful producers of Shiraz in Australia.
Rory Lane, The Story Wines
Since 2004, Rory has been crafting wonderful, textural whites and savoury, spicy reds from a boutique winery in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. Sourcing grapes from the Grampians and a collection of smaller Victorian wine regions, we're thrilled that Rory is bringing renewed enthusiasm to these often overlooked and certainly under appreciated wine varietals.
August
Upper Yarra Valley
Andrew Marks, Gembrook Hill
Founded in 1986, Gembrook Hill stands as one of the Upper Yarra's oldest vineyards and a trailblazer for the region. We are honored to introduce second-generation winemaker Andrew Marks, whose wines exude a captivating blend of timeless elegance and a deep respect for the rich heritage of old-world winemaking.
Marc Lunt, Terrason Wines
After beginning his winemaking journey in the Barossa, Marc Lunt refined his craft alongside Burgundy's esteemed Domaine Armand Rousseau and Domaine de la Romanée Conti. His wines, a testament to tradition and remarkable precision, showcase an exceptional blend of old-world charm and contemporary finesse.
September
Geelong
Ben Mullen, Mulline
Ben Mullen began his winemaking career at leading producers such as Yarra Yering and Leeuwin Estate. After working at Clyde Park in Bannockburn, Ben became intrigued by the varying terroirs across the Geelong region. Mulline is the actualisation of this curiosity and sits close to the Moorabool River where they make single vineyard varieties with an informed sustainable approach.
Ray Nadeson, Lethbridge Wines
Ray Nadeson and Maree Collis were researchers before they founded Lethbridge in 1996. With PhDs in chemistry, they make their wines with a scientific edge. The site for their vineyard was chosen with soil type and climate in mind, leading the way for future organic and biodynamic practices. The result are savoury and textural wines that express a sense of place, whilst being true to their varieties.
October
Spanish varieties of North-Eastern Victoria
Raquel Jones, Weathercraft
Founded in 2017, Weathercraft is a relatively new project based in Beechworth - an outlet for Raquel Jones to share her passion for agriculture. Her Spanish heritage has also helped shape Weathercraft, with Albariño and Tempranillo both key varieties in the estate's portfolio. As the vineyard matures, Raquel is incredibly excited to see how great Beechworth Tempranillo can get.
Eleana Anderson, Mayford Wines
Located near Porepunkah, Mayford sits in the cooler south of the Alpine Valleys in North-Eastern Victoria. Planted in 1995, the Mayford vineyard embraces the cool and continental climate of this sector of the Alpine Valleys. As head winemaker, Eleana Anderson utilises her oenology background to craft exciting small-batches of wines from the Mayford vineyard.
