[NSW] Warriors of Wine – Fundraising Long Lunch – SYDNEY

Warriors of Wine returns to Sydney on Sunday 25 May for a unique and interactive dining experience, bringing together three top Sydney sommeliers in a friendly yet competitive challenge.

We are delighted to announce this year’s competitors:

• Eduardo Fritis-Lamora (Shell House)
• Mimi Mrazikova (Aria)
• Hanna Brugnolli (Rockpool)

Over a three-course lunch, each ‘warrior’ will carefully select and present a wine to pair with each dish. At the end of each course, guests will rank the wine pairings using a Brownlow-style voting system:

• 3 tokens for their favourite pairing
• 2 tokens for their second choice
• 1 token for their third choice

The Sommeliers Australia committee will count the tokens at the end of each round and announce the course winner. The sommelier with the most votes overall will be crowned Warrior of Wine Sydney 2025.

Beyond the competition, this event is a critical fundraiser for Sommeliers Australia, supporting its ongoing work in the industry. The afternoon will also feature an auction and raffle, with the chance to take home exceptional wine-related goodies and hospitality experiences.

Join us at Esq Bar + Dining for an afternoon of celebrating the craft of the Sommelier, outstanding food and wine, and spirited competition – all for a great cause.

Further information:

Timing: Doors will open from 12.30 for aperitifs, with lunch starting at 1pm which will conclude around 4.30pm.

Seating: Seating will be on shared tables, with seating allocated on the day.

Menu: A set three-course menu, plus cheese course. Please ensure dietary requirements are made known at the time of booking.

More about this year’s Sydney Warriors:

Eduardo Fritis-Lamora started his wine career at Catalina restaurant, earning his WSET Level 3 and advancing to Assistant Head Sommelier. In 2022, he became the Head Sommelier at Shell House, overseeing the wine programs for the building’s four outlets. During his time at Shell House, he helped the venue earn three Goblets at the Wine List of the Year awards (2022-2024), Wine List of the Year in the Good Food Guide 2023, and Most Original Wine List in Australasia at the World of Fine Wine Awards.

Mimi Mrazikova is originally from Slovakia and moved to Australia in 2018 for a backpacking adventure that became permanent. She started her wine studies during the pandemic, shifting from hospitality management to becoming a full-time sommelier. Mimi holds WSET Level 2 and 3 certifications, CMS Intro and Certified, and is pursuing WSET Diploma studies. She has worked as Wine Manager at Garfish Manly and at Lotus Dining Group before joining the sommelier team at Aria in January 2025.

Hanna Brugnolli is a Brazilian-born sommelier who transitioned into hospitality after moving to Australia eight years ago. She spent six years at Rockpool Sydney, refining her expertise, and is now leading the wine program as head sommelier at The Collective, a new project by the same group, set to open in April.