Brian Martin, Hunter-Gatherer Vintners at Hell of the North, Saturday 22nd September, 12 noon- 4:30pm

**NEW EVENT** 

Hunter-Gatherer Vintners came to life in 2015 in Pipers Creek in the Macedon Ranges, with the purchase of a 70 acre property on volcanic soils with 12 acres of established Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling vines. These three classic varietals are the centre-piece to a hand-crafted range that’s gaining a solid reputation alongside Sangiovese, Shiraz and Sparkling.

Owner and winemaker Brian Martin however, never set out to be a winemaker! 

Not sure what he wanted to do after school, he tried his hand working in restaurants and found a keen interest in wine. After the unsociable hours of hospitality, he studied accounting and headed to work in the UK.

Returning to his native Melbourne re-ignited his interest in wine and led he and a friend to their first winemaking experiment - in the front room of a rental property in Northcote. He describes the resulting barrel as undrinkable!

Enrolment in a winemaking degree by correspondence led to a vintage in the Yarra Valley. The accounting career was history.

Via Hanging Rock winery, and a vintage in the great Pinot Noir region of Oregon in the US, Brian moved to a winery in the Macedon Ranges specialising in traditional method sparkling wine production, where he has been for the past 11 years.

Having made his own wine along the way, Hunter-Gatherer is Brian’s first own label and showcases a region noted for elegant wines made mainly by boutique or family-owned wineries.

At Hell of the North, owner Mark, Head Chef Simon and team meld old-fashioned French technique with modern food, whilst including some classics and not restraining themselves only to France.  

Bathurst- born Head Chef Simon's career spans 18 years in kitchens including Melbourne’s Orange and The Town Hall. His style is all about “refinement" and "making something the best it can possibly be". Owner Mark describes their philosophy as “service and style, lovely quality food, without any of the old-fashioned formality‘. 

Join us for an afternoon of great tasting, conversation and insight with Brian Martin, the accidental winemaker and the fantastic team at Hell of the North. #thewineloop