There’s a reason seats are limited at The Fruitful Pursuit’s The Maker & Me events. The new, fortnightly series at Alfred’s Bar is about creating a relationship between winemaker and wine drinker; one that will hopefully extend beyond the two-hour tasting.
“It's a lock-in session. Twenty humans wrapped around a bar for two hours of tasting and story time with some of the most inspired winemakers we can muster,” says The Fruitful Pursuit founder James Hopkins.
The educational tasting sessions will feature winemakers from small-scale wineries and family-owned vineyards who are conscientious about their approach to winemaking.
“Winemakers have a very real desire to share their passion with eager consumers, regardless of their level of knowledge,” Hopkins says. “The closer we can get people to one-on-one, the more information they'll soak up and the greater value they'll take from the experience.”
The first event was last week, with Barossa Valley winemaker Charlie “The Mysterious Mr Black” Black. The next is with Col McBryde, who’s behind Some Young Punks, Vine Mind and Adelina Wines, on Tuesday July 11. Future sessions will feature 2017 Young Gun of Wine Mickey Downer (Murdoch Hill), Prue Henschke (Henschke), Sue Bell (Bellwether) and Brad Hickey (Brash Higgins).
Finding the right fit for each event has been easy, Hopkins says. “I’ve had winemakers get in touch with me to say they want to be involved. For them, it's an opportunity to extend themselves to a bar full of eager people who genuinely want to connect.”
The wines available for tasting are carefully selected by each winemaker, including limited- and museum-release wines. Guests will also have the chance to take the wines home; there will be special offers available for all attendees.
The Maker & Me runs fortnightly on Tuesdays at Alfred’s Bar from 6pm to 8pm. Strictly limited capacity. Tickets are $20. Email hello@alfredsbar.com.au to book.
