Mount Veeder to McLaren Vale - A Tale of Two Terroirs

Most winemakers spend their career specialising in a single place. Chris Carpenter has spent his career mastering two, separated by 9,000 miles, yet united by the same exacting approach.

At Mt Brave, high on the slopes of Mount Veeder in Napa Valley, Carpenter produces Cabernet from vines that fight for every drop of water on thin, rocky soils. The result are wines with an unmistakable Napa tension. Half a world away, in the ancient, sun-baked terraces of McLaren Vale, he oversees Hickinbotham, a South Australian estate built on some of the region's oldest vines.

Join us for an evening with Chris himself, tasting through a selection from both estates, side by side. Not region against region, but a single winemaking philosophy tested – and tasted – via two of the most demanding sites in the world. Regions through the lens of one winemaker, speaking on a decade of decisions, in the vineyard and in the cellar, that shaped every bottle.

Expect a frank conversation on what ‘mountain fruit’ really means, or perhaps tackling the age-old question of: ‘what even is the Vale?’

In the week of Thanksgiving, we’re thrilled to give Members the opportunity to listen to one of America’s greatest winemakers talk, compare and taste through two regions and wineries he calls home.

The wines we will taste: 

2021 Hickinbotham, The Nest Cabernet Franc, McLaren Vale
2021 Mount Brave Cabernet Franc, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
2021 Hickinbotham, Mr Grant Malbec, McLaren Vale
2021 Mount Brave Malbec, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley
2016 Hickinbotham, Trueman Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale
2016 Mount Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

2012 Hickinbotham, The Peake Cabernet/Shiraz, McLaren Vale
2017 Hickinbotham, The Peake Cabernet/Shiraz, McLaren Vale
2022 Hickinbotham, The Peake Cabernet/Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Tuesday 24th November
Ananas Bar & Brasserie at Argyle Stores
18a Argyle Street, The Rocks 2000
18:00 — Welcome drink and canapés on arrival
18:30 — Masterclass and tasting begins
20:00 — Masterclass ends
20:30 — Event ends

Member Tickets $210 per person
Non-Member Tickets $260 per person

General Notes
67 Pall Mall Melbourne reserves the right to amend the Terms and Conditions without prior notice. Ticket holders are advised to check the event page for the latest updates. Cancellations made within five business days of the event are unfortunately not eligible for a refund. In the event the cancelled ticket can be reallocated/ reissued to waitlisted Member, a refund may be issued at the Club’s discretion.

• The Club reserves the right to postpone or cancel an event due to insufficient attendance, forces of nature, accidents or emergencies. In such cases, we will either refund the full cost of the course, or arrange an alternative date.
• If any substitutions become necessary, we will ensure the value and quality of the replacements are equivalent.
• All Members and guests are required to maintain an appropriate standard of dress. As a rule of thumb, smart casual dress code applies, unless otherwise specified by the event.
• The legal drinking age is 18 years old in accordance with the NSW law.

Other Notes

• On the rare occasions when the speakers become unavailable, we will endeavour to reschedule the event. However, if there is less than 72 hours notice, we will in most cases proceed as planned.
• Please note that masterclass tastings do not include a meal.