South Australian-based Lachlan George is the sommelier at Silver Sands Beach Club in Aldinga on the Fleurieu Peninsula and at the Old Bush Inn in nearby Willunga, just outside McLaren Vale. His focus is on local gems complemented by special and rare bottles from top international producers. A DipWSET graduate and hospo veteran, Lachlan has worked on all sides of the wine and service industry, including six years as a sommelier at London fine diner Sketch.
01. 2001 Domaine de Chevalier Rouge
Pessac-Léognan, (Grand Cru Classé de Graves)
My career started as a chef, and I was working at the cellar door of Penny’s Hill and Mr. Riggs after completing my apprenticeship. This wine was showcased at a dinner event alongside other global cabernets. I was fortunate enough to be offered a glass at the end of the event; it was my first ‘light globe’ moment and the driving force to get me where I am today. I was not much of a wine drinker prior to this but there was no looking back from here.
02. 2012 Tolpuddle Chardonnay
Coal River Valley, Tasmania
A visit to Shaw + Smith in late 2014 was made all the more special with a tasting of the first release Tolpuddle wines. This is more of an experience than a single wine that changed me. Everything on this visit was on point: the venue, the staff, the wines. I went home with a bottle, and it still lays on its side proudly in my wine fridge. After this visit I made a promise to myself that one day I would work for Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW in the cellar door. I did not let myself down and was indeed an employee come September 2021.
03. 1993 Penfolds Grange
Multi-Regional, South Australia
An industry friend arrived at my 21st birthday party with this bottle in hand. I was cooking a barbecue for my guests, and I was clearly in a state of panic as people kept showing up to celebrate and I was concerned about the amount of food available! I was swiftly given a plastic pint cup half-filled with Penfolds Grange. This was my first exposure to such a prestigious wine. Never in my life did I expect to taste Grange, and certainly not out of a plastic pint cup. This is proof that no matter the vessel, an amazing glass (cup) of wine can ease the stress in any situation.
04. 1976 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
Coonawarra, South Australia
Mature wine is something I have grown to love and appreciate even more thanks to my stint at Sketch. Dad treated me to this Jimmy Watson-winning wine in 2014 on a return trip home from the UK, and it still rates in my top five ‘mature’ Aussie reds. This had all the charm and beauty well-made cabernet exhibits after decades in the cellar. On my return to Sketch, I made it my mission to not only list but introduce diners to these sorts of New World rarities that convey so much about the place and season they came from.
05. 2019 The Standish Wine Co. The Schubert Theorem
Barossa Valley, South Australia
It was Nick Stock who introduced me to this remarkable wine – The Schubert Theorem. We co-hosted a dinner party and this was the last wine poured on the evening, alongside cheese. I had shunned my back on the ripe, oaky and tannic Barossa bombs after years working in the UK. The Theorem was exactly what I needed to reignite that Barossa spark within. The wine exudes all the hallmarks we want in Marananga shiraz yet has a particular poise and elegance. I’ve been on several trips of discovery to the Barossa since and hopefully there’s many more to come.
Instagram: @winecompanion | @lgeorge_ | @silversandsbeachclub | @oldbushinnhotel
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Image credit: Jack Fenby.
