Wine Group

February 2026

The Probus wine group has now been re-established and is ready for action again.

The Sub-committee (John Ballinger, Ruth Seferth, David Gamble and Cliff Brown) met in January to plan our activities for the year ahead. 

As a result, we would like to invite you to join us for our first outing for 2026.

  • Where: De Bortoli Winery – 58 Pinnacle Lane, Dixons Creek
  • When: Monday February 23rd at 2.00pm
  • Details: Enjoy a wine tasting of 5 different wines accompanied by sharing cheese platters.
  • Cost: $27 per person 

We will have access to the gardens where we can relax for the afternoon and bring our own picnic or nibbles if desired. Additional wine can be purchased by the glass. Coffee service will also be arranged. No outside alcohol is to be brought on to the premises.

If you would like to join us, please let me know asap as numbers may be limited. We will have to make it “First In – Best Dressed”. Please reply by Monday February 2nd

Once we have final numbers we will advise on payment arrangements.

John Ballinger – Convenor

PAST WINE EVENTS

Virtual Probus Wine Night – 6th August 2020

On Thursday 6th August we had a first Wine Appreciation Event on Zoom. Twenty- five members attended and from all the amazing feedback we have had, it was very successful.

Dave Davies – Zoom master extraordinaire- showed us two YouTube videos on how to pick the best glass for your wine. We also tried drinking a small amount of wine from a coffee mug and a thick glass vessel.

Now we know the science of what we use to drink our wine from is so important.

John Ballinger ran one of his famous Quizzes which was wone by Ruth Seferth with a 100% score. She received a virtual trophy (at least it doesn’t require dusting and polishing).

After many jokes were exchanged and some valuable information on what people were buying and where they had purchased it, our happy hour had turned into two hours!

Planning for our next one is coming along nicely.

Trevor (Convenor)

Bonjour!!! On Thursday 11th June 2019,  22 wine connoisseurs met at our home to celebrate an early Bastille Day and to be educated in French wines.

The meeting was expertly chaired by Monsieur John Wicks. Thanks John, for sharing your amazing knowledge and expertise on seven selected wines. Printed notes, informative maps, knowledge of the region and, of course, The Quiz, were also features of the evening.

The wines were accompanied by various cheeses, pa?te? and then the evening finished with profiteroles. Thanks to Bev for her organisation and preparation of the French themed platters.

Overall, a fabulous night. Everyone came out happy. “Je suis tre?s bien” was the common expression for the night.

Thursday 13th February 2020, a beautiful Melbourne Day, saw 29 participants gather at Kellybrook Winery.

In this stunning setting we sampled a sparkling wine, then whites, reds, rose and cider. Our hosts for this, Josh and Karen, did a magnificent job in explaining the notes and the process of making each wine. They were true professionals at being so efficient in pouring all our samples!!

When we were able to pry everyone from the tasting room, we sat down to enjoy our ploughman’s lunch. It was plentiful, delicious, especially the platters of profiteroles, shortbread and chocolates that followed.

Our hostess and organiser for this event was Fiona. She did an amazing job. So friendly, professional and we feel very lucky to have had her help to make it such a memorable day.

Trevor

P.S. We were a bit surprised though that no one took up the invitation to climb the magnificent 150 year old oak tree in the garden???!! Maybe next year?

Trevor Smithson Convenor
9726 0019