Masterclass – Rosé Coloured Glasses

Think pink. This sassy celebration of rosé will go beyond the traditional, exploring other rosy-hued treasures too. Hosting the fun is Sydney-based sommelier and communicator Samantha Payne, with McLaren Vale winemakers Lauren Langfield, Irina Santiago-Brown and Brad Hickey set to offer their insights too. Discover a rosé that doesn’t play by the usual rules, taste the variety in a pre-batched cocktail, and delve into leading editions from near and far.

Langfield – Young Gun of Wine 2023 winner – studied fashion before realising viticulture and wine production were more her scene. Since 2022 she has been based at McLaren Vale’s off-grid, sustainability-driven Orbis, crafting a range loved for poise and freshness. Adelaide Hills vineyards provide the fruit for Langfield’s eponymous label, with bright, fruit-forward styles its goal.

The Fleurieu Peninsula is also home to Santiago-Brown, a world-renowned sustainability consultant. She and husband Dudley Brown left overseas careers in tech and government to launch Inkwell Wines and live the change they sought.

Hickey, meanwhile, makes minimal intervention wines under the Brash Higgins banner he founded alongside vigneron partner Nicole Thorpe. Together they seek to capture the essence of McLaren Vale’s sun and soil, producing a deliciously textural range that challenges convention while still respecting the tried and true.

Grab those glasses. Because rosé isn’t just a wine. It’s a vibe.