Recent Functions

Recent Functions - 2010

Looking for Future Functions? Click Here

AUGUST 2010
Wednesday 18th August - Taste N Talk with Jeff Burch, CEO of Howard Park Estate, Margaret River, Western Australia.
This Taste N Talk will be a special night for a number of reasons. Firstly, our guest Jeff Burch of Howard Park Estate is coming all the way from Margaret River, Western Australia to share his experiences. Secondly, as a member of the Australia’s First Families of Wine (12 family-owned Australian wineries); Jeff will have a story to tell about that initiative. Thirdly, we will also hear about Howard Park’s journey in relation to establishing a Facebook profile where Howard Park now has over 100,000 Facebook friends. And fourthly, Jeff as the owner and CEO of Howard Park Wines, will tell his story of how he is deeply committed to wine excellence and embraces a mantra of “no compromise” when it comes to all the ingredients that make up the final glass of Howard Park.

Jeff’s interest in the world of wine began through his love of surfing and regular visits to Western Australia’s Margaret River. Frequent visits to the region presented Jeff with the opportunity to interact with the many great wine producers with whom he shared their passion for wine and hunger for knowledge.
Howard Park is proud to be one of Western Australia’s leading boutique family wineries producing a range of fine Australian wines from the state's premier grape growing regions of Margaret River and the Great Southern. Since 1986, Howard Park’s philosophy has been to craft outstanding wines of great subtlety, character, balance and elegance with an uncompromising commitment to quality. As well as the Howard Park label, we will also hear about the labels of Mad Fish (high on quality yet without pretension and fuss reflecting WA's laid-back lifestyle) and Marchand & Burch (a unique winemaking joint venture). Each is a story in its own right.
Included Bonus:
Also, on the same night, get to meet the author of the book - Australia’s First Families of Wine, none other than Wine Guild Committee Person - Graeme Lofts.
St Scholastica School Hall, 348 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood (Enter from Starling St)
FUNCTION NOTICE

JULY 2010
Tuesday 13th July - 51st Annual General Meeting of the WSG at the Gateway on Monash
Winemaker: Shane Kerr from Trentham Estate - Near Mildura
Arrival is from 6,30pm with Bubbly, and the AGM will start at 7.00pm and should be completed by 7.30pm. Then it is a 3 course dinner with our guest Owner & Winemaker Anthony Murphy from Trentham Estate, just over the border from Mildura. Please note that the special subsidised price of $55 is for those members who have joined/renewed by 7th July. Should be a top night.
FUNCTION NOTICE  AGM AGENDA   MEMBERSHIP FORM

JUNE 2010
Tuesday 29th June - Taste N Talk - Walter Bos - one of the most noted wine speakers in Australia and also Managing Director at In Wine Export Pty.Ltd..
St Scholastica School Hall, 348 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood (Enter from Starling St)
With a degree in Winemaking & Wine Marketing, Walter Bos has a wealth of experience in the Wine industry (40+ years) having been in a number of management positions in some of the most prominent wine-related companies, such as:
Lindemans Wines - Management Positions in two states.
Orlando Wines - Fine Wines Manager
Morris of Rutherglen - State Manager
Flinders Wholesale Wines & Spirits - Brand Manager of Wines, Beer & Spirits, and
In Wine Export Pty Ltd - Managing Director of own company exporting wines to continental Europe.
Walter will be discussing Masterclass Tasting and Exporting Wine to Europe. But with his broad wine knowledge and following questions we might go down many paths.
There is Bubbly and a light meal on arrival at 6.30pm with the presentation starting at approx. 7.00pm.
Join us on the 29th June for what should be an interesting night.
Off-street car parking - enter from Starling St
FUNCTION NOTICE

MAY 2010
Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th May - 2 Day Coach Tour - Maryborough Region
Another 2-day coach trip has been planned & researched, and will be held on Saturday 15^th and Sunday 16^th May. The tour will be concentrating on the Lamplough, Alma and Maryborough areas.
Members & guests on previous 2-day trips will know that Wine Guild 2 day coach tours are interesting, varied and value for money. On the Saturday, following morning tea at Ballarat we will be visiting four wineries in Lamplough and Alma, with the Saturday lunch at St Agnatious Vineyard being traditional Argentinean cuisine. Dinner will be at Peppa’s Restaurant at the Bristol Hill Motor Inn, Mayborough, with Kevin Noonan of Eddington Rise Estate providing the wines. We will stay the night at the Bristol Hill Motor Inn. Sunday will start with a hot cooked buffet breakfast in the historic railway station in Maryborough with time to browse the thousands of antique and collectable items for sale. The winery for Sunday is at Talbot and there will be some time to take in the Talbot Farmers Market. Sunday lunch will be at the Clunes National Hotel where the owners of Mount Beckworth Wines, Jane & Paul Lesock will join us to provide samples of their wines. Then we head for home, including a tea & coffee break. Please see the Maryborough Itinerary and the Function Notice. Your committee is confident that the Maryborough 2 DayTour will be another memorable event
ITINERARY    FUNCTION NOTICE

APRIL 2010
Wednesday 14th April - Winemaker Dinner - At Tao's Restaurant
201 Bulleen Rd, Bulleen (Melways 32 D7)
Our Guest will be Winemaker: Graham Van Meulen of Seville Estate Winery,
Winner of the Yarra Valley Wine Show - Wine Service Guild Trophy for Chardonnay
Tao's is a private dining haven for a unique dining experience.  Tao’s is one-of-a-kind modern Japanese concept that offers a multi-course selective set menu. The restaurant is fully licensed and BYO wine only.
The food is a careful combination of Eastern and Western fare that offers an exciting blend of traditional and contemporary flavors.  Tao’s romantic ambience is the perfect setting for special occasions, wedding receptions or corporate functions.  Located in Bulleen just off the Eastern Freeway, with ample parking space.
FUNCTION NOTICE & BOOKING FORM
WATCH THE TAO's VIDEO

MARCH 2010
Tuesday 2nd March - Taste N Talk - Peter Clingleffer - Research Scientist
CSIRO Merbein Laboratory (Near Mildura)
St Scholastica's School Hall, 348 Burwood Highway, Bennettswood (Enter from Starling St)
Peter Clingleffer is a Research Scientist at the CSIRO Merbein laboratory, in the heartland of Australian grape and citrus production, which delivers high quality science relevant to industry. He is the CSIRO Leader of the breeding team.
Peter will talk about his work as a Research Scientist in relation to the wine industry, and will bring samples of different wine varieties developed by his team for us to taste.
Background info from the CSIRO website:
The researchers use conventional and gene technology approaches including evaluation of transgenics to understand and manipulate the way plant genes interact with the environment. New low to medium vigour rootstocks have been released to industry and are being evaluated with a range of scion varieties in a range of regions. In particular there are two wine industry innovations:
1. Light mechanical pruning developed by CSIRO has contributed to Australia’s wine export performance by lowering costs while retaining and improving yield and quality.
2. The introduction and evaluation of nematode-tolerant rootstocks has been a further advantage.
Estimates of the value of these two wine industry innovations alone exceed A$150 million per annum.
CSIRO wine grape varieties Tarrango, Tyrian and Cienna have achieved success as bottled varietal wines. Tyrian is also used in blends.
CSIRO research within the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Viticulture includes:
- grapevine physiology
- salt tolerance
- water use efficiency.
This work has contributed to the development of VineLOGIC, an advanced software package for use in viticultural education and training.

Sunday 21st March - Coach Tour - Warragul Region
Visiting:
Gypsy Creek Winery - Labertouche
Brandy Creek Wines - Drouin East
Wild Dog Winery - Warragul
Further details available soon.

FEBRUARY 2010
Sunday 7th February - BOY - Breakfast On Yarra
This will be our first function for 2009. The annual ‘ Breakfast on the Yarra’ has become a tradition with the Guild for over 30 years.  Always our most popular function with members and guests enjoying a fully cooked breakfast on the banks of the Yarra, with plenty of shade, good food, enjoyable wines and companionship.
It is not a safe function for little children, with the river and busy road so close, so organise your baby sitter, pack up the umbrellas, tables, chairs, sun hats, and come along to enjoy a great morning on the banks of the Yarra River. Bring as many Guests as you like.
Catered by the committee and volunteers, breakfast is BBQ sausages, bacon, eggs, baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, all served with fresh buttered bread rolls, followed by pancakes jam cream and fresh fruit.
Plenty of hot tea and coffee will be available throughout the morning. A selection of bubbly, reds and whites from the Guild Cellar. Glasses are supplied.
Members: $20 each. Guests & Non-Members $30 each.
Function Notice & Booking Form

 

.