[VIC] Warriors of Wine – Fundraising Long Lunch – MELBOURNE

Warriors of Wine returns to Melbourne on Sunday 1 June for a unique and interactive dining experience, bringing together three top Melbourne sommeliers in a friendly yet competitive challenge.

We are delighted to announce this year’s competitors:

• Christina Kaigg-Hoxley (67 Pall Mall)
• Barney Reilly (Cutler)
• Bonnie Spain (Marmelo)

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 Melbourne 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 Cutler 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 12pm for aperitifs, with lunch starting at 12.30pm which will conclude around 4pm.

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 Melbourne Warriors:

Christina Kaigg-Hoxley is the Wine Development Manager at 67 Pall Mall Melbourne. She recently returned from London, where she was Assistant Head Sommelier at the two-Michelin-starred Clove Club. Her experience includes roles at Gimlet at Cavendish House, Atlas Vinifera, and Burch Family Wines. A Sommeliers Australia Education Scholarship recipient and Wine Scholars Guild Educator, she holds WSET Level 3 and has worked vintages in the Yarra Valley and Margaret River. Christina is also a freelance wine writer, with work published in Halliday Magazine, Vine & Bubble, and Gourmet Traveller Wine.

Barney Reilly began his wine career at Cutler & Marion after working in Yarra Valley restaurants. Post-lockdown, he moved to Melbourne, starting as a bartender at Marion Wine Bar, where his passion for wine grew through inspiring colleagues and WSET studies. Transitioning to Cutler, he refined his wine service skills and earned his CMS Certified qualification. His dedication led to his promotion to Senior Sommelier, where he continues to develop his expertise.

Bonnie Spain fell in love with wine while working in venues across Geelong before moving to Melbourne in 2019. She joined The Spanish Acquisition, immersing herself in the diverse world of Iberian wine. Returning to hospitality, she is now Assistant Head Sommelier at Marmelo Restaurant, where she curates a list specialising in Portuguese and Iberian varieties. Bonnie is currently pursuing her WSET Diploma.