Sommeliers Australia, Melbourne (2026)

25/09/2026

There’s something about Pinot Noir that invites you to slow down and pay attention.

Last week, high above the city in Sydney Tower, 18 Pinot lovers gathered for an evening of comparison, conversation and discovery at our Penfolds Pinot Noir Benchmarking Workshop.

Sommeliers Louella Alice Mathews and Eduardo Fritis-Lamora Fritis, alongside w**emaker nadja wallington ChaLou | Orange W**ery + Cellar Door tasted and talked, benchmark w**es from the Yarra Valley, Coal River Valley and Orange to Central Otago, Oregon and Burgundy.

Different places, climates and hands, all revealing something different in the glass.

As Nadja reflected "The Pinot Masterclass was a wonderful exploration of the scope of Pinot from across the world. It offered a unique opportunity to really dial into the different forms and styles that this variety can capture.”

A beautiful morning brought together curious palates, sparked thoughtful conversation and a little more appreciation for one of w**e’s most endlessly expressive varieties.

23/09/2026

Sommeliers Australia is teaming up with Vins de Loire for a deep dive into Chenin Blanc, the Loire Valley’s native grape variety celebrated for its remarkable versatility, site expression and ageing potential.

Hosted by Jim Mullany (Atlas Vinifera), this masterclass will examine how Chenin Blanc responds to the diverse microclimates and terroirs of Anjou-Saumur and Touraine, resulting in a broad spectrum of styles and expressions.

Through a guided tasting of w**es from key appellations, we’ll explore the influence of site, soil and w**emaking on the character and structure of Chenin Blanc.

Designed for sommeliers, w**e buyers and hospitality professionals, this session offers an opportunity to deepen your understanding of one of the Loire Valley’s most distinctive and versatile varieties.

23/09/2026

What does volcanic geology bring to the glass? From the black soils of the Canary Islands to the high-altitude vineyards of Etna and Australia’s volcanic landscapes, this masterclass explores w**es shaped by their geological origins.

Sommeliers Australia’s Mi Mi (Aria Restaurant) will be joined by Tom Robertson from MoVida Wholesale to deliver a tasting across regions and varieties, examining how soil, altitude, climate and w**emaking intersect to create w**es with distinctive character, texture and sense of place.

Expect a line-up that moves beyond the familiar, with a closer look at what makes volcanic w**es so compelling — and how their origins translate in the glass.

Join us for a deep dive into w**es shaped by some of the world’s most distinctive landscapes.

📸 MoVida Wholesale

21/09/2026

Queensland’s premier w**e region is experiencing a renaissance, with a new generation of voices and reimagined perspectives shifting the way the Granite Belt is understood, both nationally and globally.

Chris Entwistle (Bibendum) will be joined by Glenn Roberts Glen Robert (Bent Road W**ery, La Petite Mort) and Ray Costanzo (Golden Grove, Storm King) for a deep dive into the Granite Belt through four flights of w**e.

Together, they’ll explore the region’s distinctive terroir, its unique expression of key varieties and the alternative grapes finding a voice in the Belt from Vermentino and Gamay to Shiraz and beyond. Along the way, we’ll consider what these w**es reveal about the region today, and where the Granite Belt might be heading next.

A closer look at a region in evolution, through the people and w**es helping to shape its future.

Book via link in our bio!

📸 : Granite Belt W**e Country Bent Road W**ery & Distillery Golden Grove Estate W**es

21/09/2026

Pale, dry and effortlessly elegant, Provence Rosé is one of the world’s most recognisable w**e styles. But beyond its distinctive pale colour lies a category with far more diversity than meets the eye.

Join sommelier and w**e educator MATT DUNNE 🍷 (Joval W**es), who will lead the session alongside Sommeliers Australia’s Astrid Desrosiers (Antica Dining), for a guided and interactive exploration of Provence Rosé. Together, they’ll look beyond colour to uncover how terroir, grape variety, altitude, maritime influence and w**emaking shape the w**es in the glass.

Dive into Côtes de Provence, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence and Coteaux Varois en Provence, the PDO's that are defined by a remarkable mosaic of soils, climates and landscapes. As the world’s leading specialist in Rosé, the region has developed a unique savoir-faire, resulting in w**es that can be remarkably different in texture, structure, freshness and expression.

Matt and Astrid will explore the nuances behind the category and challenge the idea that Provence rosé is simply one style defined by its colour.

Look beyond colour and discover the many expressions of Provence Rosé.

Go to our events page to secure a ticket.

18/09/2026

Our Sip Recap | Australian W**e in the Spotlight

Different palates, different places, a true tasting journey through Australia.

We asked our NSW + ACT Committee what’s in their glass right now.

Kate Hibberson (Beltana Farm)— ACT
Deviation Road ‘Beltana’ Blanc de Blanc 2019 Deviation Road W**ery
A sparkling from one of Australia's leading producers — now pouring by the glass at Beltana Farm. A Lucky coincide on that name!

Mi Mi (Aria Restaurant) — NSW
Topper’s Mountain ‘Finders’ Extra Brut Nebbiolo 2021 Topper's Mountain W**es | Vineyard, Cellar Door & Events
Rose hips, raspberry and wild strawberry — a little gem from New England.

Callie Lynne Crumpler (Felix & Little Felix) — NSW
Stargazer ‘Tupelo’ Pinot Gris blend 2024 Stargazer | Samantha Connew
“Perfumed, textural and lightly off-dry — exactly what I want on a sunny spring afternoon.

Louella Alice Mathews (Trippas White Group)— NSW
Jim Barry ‘Florita’ Riesling 2025 Jim Barry
Every sip triggers a memory. It speaks so intimately to Clare, and feels distinctly Australian.

Astrid Desrosiers (Antica Dining)— NSW
Shadowfax Chardonnay 2025 Shadowfax W**es
Striking minerality, delicate oak, florals and zest — perfect for the warmer weather ahead.

Matt Prokop (Claret Club)— NSW
GUM W**es Viognier 2025 gum.w**e
Delicate florals meet tension and chewy texture — a beautiful expression of Rhône in Victoria.

Alison O’Brien (Bennelong Restaurant) — NSW
Elanto Balnarring Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024 Elanto Vineyard
Elegant, vibrant and deeply structured — a refined expression of Mornington Peninsula Pinot.

Luigi Celiento (Grill Americano) — NSW
Aphelion ‘Brini’ Grenache Noir 2024 McLaren Vale Cellar Door
Fresh, refined and perfumed, with savoury spice and plenty of versatility at the table.

Nicolas Delporte 🇧🇪 (8 at Trinity)— NSW
Mount Pleasant ‘Maurice O’Shea’ 2023 Mount Pleasant W**es
Red and black fruit, floral and savoury — elegant power with the structure to age.

Nine w**es. Nine perspectives. One shared appreciation for Australian w**e.

17/09/2026

Looking for a change in venue? How about a step up in your career, or simply a change of pace. We’ve rounded up current opportunities across Victoria and New South Wales, from some of Australia’s leading restaurants, groups and fine w**e businesses.

VICTORIA

🍷 Supernormal — Senior Sommelier
🍷 Côte Basque — Senior Sommelier
🍷 Vue de Monde — Sommelier
🍷 Rodd & Gunn | The Lodge — Sommelier
🍷 Vino & Better Organic — Sommelier / W**e Curator
🍷 Edition Hospitality — Group Sommelier

NEW SOUTH WALES

🍷 Shell House — Head Sommelier
🍷 Claret Club — Front of House Team
🍷 Saint Peter — Assistant Restaurant Manager
🍷 Constellation Brands — Fine W**e Client Manager

Whether you’re looking to broaden your experience or take the next step in your w**e career, there are some great opportunities currently available.

Know someone who should see this? Tag them below. 👇

13/09/2026

We’re delighted to announce Zoe Brunton as the second sommelier selected to join the 2026 NSW W**e Awards as an Associate Judge.

For Zoe, the experience opened the door to a new side of w**e — exploring how our individual palates, perspectives and scores come together on the show bench.

“This was a great eye-opening and insightful experience into the world of show judging. Benchmarking and discussing our own scores, palates and thoughts of the w**es in the show judging format was a fantastic opportunity. It was great to see different opinions, why different styles matter, and how to champion the w**es that speak to you the most.”

Zoe also highlighted the accessibility of the experience, describing it as a wonderful way for those looking to enter w**e judging to learn from some of the industry’s best.

We’re thrilled to see Zoe take that next step and look forward to seeing her bring her perspective to the NSW W**e Awards.

13/09/2026

We’re delighted to announce Alison O’Brien as one of the two sommeliers selected to represent Sommeliers Australia as an Associate Judge at the 2026 NSW W**e Awards.

This opportunity builds on our W**e Judging 101 initiative, delivered in partnership with NSW W**e, designed to introduce sommeliers to the Australian w**e show system and provide a practical pathway into w**e judging.

Hosted by Adam Walls, Louella Alice Mathews and Mark Bourne the session gave participants the opportunity to taste white and red w**e brackets while gaining practical insight into the judging process, from assessing w**es to developing confidence and consistency on the show bench.

Alison shared this about the experience—

“The W**e Judging 101 session was such an insightful introduction to the judging process, and I’m looking forward to putting what I learned into practice and celebrating the sensational w**es of NSW!”

We’re incredibly proud to support Alison as she takes this next step into w**e judging, and look forward to seeing her bring her sommelier perspective to the 2026 NSW W**e Awards.

04/09/2026

Yesterday, 16 sommeliers headed north-west from Melbourne into the Macedon Ranges, where the weather changed almost as quickly as the landscape — wind, gentle rain, then sudden bursts of sunshine. It was a fitting introduction to a region defined by its “naturally cool” conditions.

Our first stop was MOUNT MONUMENT WINERY where Troy Walsh atwoods__ and Patrick Eckel Cold Acre welcomed us with sparkling and Chardonnay, before we continued to Curly Flat, where owner Jeni Kolkka opened the doors to her iconic estate.

As the day unfolded, so too did the story of Macedon Ranges. Michael Dhillon Michael Dhillon and Ben Ranken Wilimee led us through Pinot Noir, talking not only about the w**es, but the land beneath them and the great dirt of the region. From sandstone and shale to quartz-rich ironstone, granite and volcanic soils, the diversity of these sites is central to the character of its w**es.

Michael, whose family who planted their first vines in 1988, shared his experience of the region that in his experience “Vintage trumps vine age, but site trumps everything.”

By late afternoon, we arrived at Lyons Will Estate Will, hosted by owners Ollie Rapson and Renata Morello, and Lachy McCallum Granite Hills W**ery & Cellar Door where they took us in another direction – exploring the region’s alternative varieties, many of which we learned were among the regions original plantings.

Across 26 producers, the quality was undeniable. Yet, somewhere between the vineyards, the changing skies and the glasses on the table, another story emerged.

For all the talk of altitude, climate, soils and cult w**es, perhaps the most memorable part of Macedon Ranges is its people. A small community of vignerons, deeply connected to their sites and to one another, sharing knowledge, w**e and hospitality with remarkable generosity. From the ground up, Macedon Ranges embodies the very essence of collegiality.

Cool in climate, warm in spirit, a lasting impression. Thank you for hosting us Macedon Ranges W**e

Sommeliers Australia

25/09/2026

23/09/2026

23/09/2026

21/09/2026

21/09/2026

18/09/2026

17/09/2026

13/09/2026

13/09/2026

04/09/2026

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