On Saturday, October 26th, the Helen’s Hill Barrel Room came alive with music, wine, and food at our first-ever Baritone in the Barrel Hall. It was a night to remember, blending the beauty of operatic performance with the flavours of a specially curated six-course menu, all perfectly matched with our wines. For those who couldn’t make it, here’s a relaxed recap of what went down.
A Magical Atmosphere
The evening kicked off in our cosy Barrel Room, where candlelit tables sat amongst rows of oak barrels. As guests settled in, the rich voice of Adam Jon, a world-class baritone and Helen’s Hill wine club member, filled the space. Accompanied by the talented pianist Irina Cherkasski, Adam transported us all on a musical journey around the world, performing arias in Italian, French, and more.
Food and Wine: A Perfect Match
Chef Ryan Frost, a Yarra Valley favourite, pulled out all the stops with a stunning six-course menu. Each dish was designed to pair beautifully with one of our Estate or Reserve wines, creating a dining experience like no other.
Here’s what was on the menu:
1st Course:
- Dish: Mackerel and beetroot blinis, crème fraîche, and chives
- Wine: 2022 Roma’s Grace Method Traditional Reserve Sparkling
2nd Course:
- Dish: 18-month Saint Arnold Comté, lavosh, roasted pear
- Wine: 2024 Heathcote Fiano (debut release)
3rd Course:
- Dish: Mushroom mille-feuille, duxelles, goat's curd
- Wine: 2023 Empress Chardonnay
4th Course:
- Dish: Duck ragu, pappardelle, parmesan, gremolata
- Wine: 2022 ‘Smuggler’ Reserve Pinot Noir
5th Course:
- Dish: 18-hour tender lamb shoulder, ciabatta, rocket, and parmesan
- Wine: Heathcote Sangiovese
6th Course:
- Dish: Dark chocolate panna cotta, raspberry coulis, baby basil
- Wine: 2020 Helen’s Hill Winemaker's Reserve Shiraz
For vegetarian guests, the menu included delights like beetroot and zucchini blinis, Jerusalem artichoke pappardelle, and a hearty vegetable ratatouille paired with burrata—all thoughtfully matched with our wines.
A Night of Connections
Between courses, Irina’s classical piano performances kept the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Guests mingled, clinked glasses, and marvelled at how seamlessly the evening combined food, wine, and music. The heartfelt applause after Adam’s final aria said it all—everyone left feeling inspired (and well-fed!).
What’s Next?
If you missed out, don’t worry! Adam Jon will be back next year for another evening in the Barrel Hall, and we’re already working on a new twist to make it even more exciting. Stay tuned for details—you won’t want to miss it.
In the meantime, why not visit our cellar door? You can taste the wines from the evening and get a little taste of the magic for yourself.
Here’s to incredible nights at Helen’s Hill!
