It was bigger, better and the quality of wine was impeccable! The second edition of La Paulee Melbourne did not disappoint. I have had to take a moment to reflect on how wonderful it is to see La Paulee Melbourne become so much more than just a one off event, but now an annual celebration where we can come together around a glass of wine.
To begin it was wonderful to see everyone's familiar faces once again as they streamed in at midday. There were many returning faces, but just as many new ones making it a true rendezvous for everyone to come together. Welcoming new people into the La Paulee Melbourne family is what we love to do and cannot wait to welcome even more in the coming years.
As the venue reached capacity, guests took their seats, passing off bottles of wines to the sommeliers to prepare and open for their first sip of the day. As the San Danielle Prosciutto was being served, a large 9 LITRE bottle of Domaine Rougeot Meursault "Sous La Velle" was poured for each and every guest, with a toast raised to signify the beginning of the second edition of La Paulee Melbourne.
With a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other I, among many other guests, took to the floor to share a glass of wine over exciting conversations. "What did you bring?" "What a vintage!" "How did you source that bottle?" All phrases I heard over and over again as I walked through the venue. By the time La Nuit Blanche began their first set, the conversation could nearly drown out their music!
As per tradition, the Ban Bourguignon was sung twice through this year, with everyone raising their hands and their handkerchiefs to wave around in the air as we sang La la la... With my father in attendance this year, representing Domaine Rougeot, it truly felt as though we brought the essence of La Paulee de Meursault right here to the heart of Melbourne. That feeling of true excitement, a touch of home, and all round awe came over me and the afternoon just continued to excel as the bottles were emptied and the dessert by Cacao freshened the palates before the journey home.
While the calibre of wines in 2023 were fantastic, somehow guests rallied and managed to take it to the next level with bottles not even I have had the opportunity to enjoy before. I could not have asked for a better event to celebrate the Victorian wine community. I look forward to sharing a glass with you again at our 2025 Edition which promises to be yet another step above...
Attendee Highlights
"It is fantastic and a wonderful initiative that I feel will continue to build on itself year after year."
"It also does a great job of being exclusive, but not exclusionary. So once you're there, everyone is excited!"
"Very enjoyable day to get so many people passionate about wine in one room. Great party."
"It's a mixture of the wine and the company. For someone outside of the trade, having an afternoon where you not only get to drink amazing wine, but also discuss with others that appreciate it and who can learn from is rare."