How would you like to help yourselves to some of the world’s best wines – while also helping your favourite restaurants to stay healthy in what has been a deeply challenging time for the hospitality industry?
In the second of a series of restaurant collaboration packs, we’ve teamed up with Grossi Restaurants – the family behind Melbourne institutions such as Florentino, Merchant, Ombra and Arlechin, as well as Garum in Perth – to put together this enGROSSIngly drinkable six-pack.
As well as offering special six-pack pricing to you, we’re handing 20% of the proceeds from sales of this product back to the restaurant.
CellarHand was founded by a sommelier and is a business largely built on partnerships in Australia’s world-class restaurant scene. We’re immensely proud of these friendships – honoured, in fact to be part of the hospitality ecosystem – which makes it devastating to witness the hardships suffered by this cornerstone of Australian culture.
So we want to celebrate and support these champions.
Guy Grossi and CellarHand founder Patrick Walsh are contemporaries – born a year apart – and the two businesses have been deeply connected since CellarHand started out in 1999. Coincidentally, that was the same year the Grossi family took over the iconic, historic Florentino restaurant.
We’ve seen the next generation, Carlo and Loredana, continue the tradition of warm hospitality while their flair has kept the group at the cutting edge of Australia’s dining scene.
In addition to the wines, you’ll receive a recipe card for Grossi’s duck and porcini tortellini – how delicious does it look? – which Carlo says goes down a treat with the Shadowfax Pinot Noir.
The Wines
NV Stefano Lubiana Sparkling Brut Reserve $45
Satisfying and refreshing. Grown right, made right, tastes right, priced right.
Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
2018 Geoff Weaver Sauvignon Blanc $30
A plaited rope of gooseberry, exotic tree fruits and white peaches and cream make this a compelling wine.
94 points. James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
2019 Onannon Chardonnay $40
It’s fresh and brisk, a little bit fruity and creamy, but fine-boned too. Some flint and funk, almond and preserved lemon, good energy and cut, lemon rind and crunch on a pretty long finish.
94 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
2019 Chalmers Rosato
Made mostly from Aglianico, with decent splashes of Nero d’Avola and Sagrantino. And the Aglianico is fermented in barrel, which explains the wine’s lovely creamy texture. It’s also vibrant, laced with bright spicy fruit and lemony acidity. The essence of summer in a glass.
93 points. Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2021
2019 Shadowfax Pinot Noir $33
Dark cherry, baking spice, toasted hazelnut, a flicker of mint and rose. It’s mid-weight, flavoursome, a subtle cranberry juiciness, lovely shale-y sort of tannin, maybe boysenberry, quiet succulence, and a fine long finish. You’re having it large here, at a very fair price.
94 points. Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
2018 Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz $37
The 2018 Bishop Shiraz is a super value in the context of Barossa, and Australian Shiraz in general. It’s medium to full-bodied, plump and juicy, fruity and lush, but reined in by firm, savory tannins on the long, mouthwatering finish.
Wine Advocate
Check out Grossi a Casa takeaway options
80 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Mob: 0417 039 188
enquiries@grossiflorentino.com