Welcome to The Pride!
Welcome back to The Pride! The holiday season is just around the corner, and we wanted to make sure this month’s edition is packed with everything you need to make your celebrations unforgettable.We held off sending The Pride email by a week so that we could bring you the very best in Christmas gifting options, along with a selection of exclusive wines perfect for filling your cellar and enhancing your holiday gatherings. Behind the scenes, I’ve been working to secure exceptional items that will elevate every moment of your festive season, from gifts for loved ones to wines for your own special gatherings.
But it doesn’t stop there—we’re already planning exciting things for 2025! Our goal is to continue delivering experiences, products, and perks that align with your elevated tastes and love for quality. Cheers to a holiday season filled with great wine and unforgettable moments!
First Up...Cabernet Challenge Wrap Up
The latest Cabernet Challenge event showcased top Australian cabernets across Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, highlighting regional styles and preferences. While the event's results leaned towards Margaret River's wines, the ultimate goal wasn’t to crown a single winner but to celebrate the diversity of Australia’s wine industry. Each cabernet—from the Bordeaux-style blends of Yarra Valley to Margaret River's pure expressions—reflects our country’s unique climate and craftsmanship.
Wine lovers on both coasts displayed preferences for their own local wines, though some Margaret River selections won high praise in Melbourne and Sydney. The event reinforced that regional loyalty plays a role in wine enjoyment, yet all wines shared a close score, proving each one's excellence.
Interested in the detailed results and tasting notes? [Read the full article and some other insights on my blog pages…]
Holiday Gifting Made Easy with Wine Animal
With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s easy for gift planning and wine stocking to fall down the list of priorities. But don't worry—Wine Animal has you covered with an array of carefully curated gifts and bundles that make festive preparations a breeze with our new Gifting Section on the website.
From versatile gift cards to curated bundles perfect for every occasion, we’ve got something for everyone on your list. Whether you’re after a standout gift for a loved one, a corporate gift that leaves an impression, or simply looking to stock up for the celebrations, these selections are handpicked to impress. Plus, for an unforgettable experience, consider one of our exclusive Yarra Valley tours—an immersive gift that brings the world of wine to life by yours truly.
To ensure timely delivery, place your orders by November 21st. Let’s make this holiday season memorable with gifts that truly stand out!
We’re also working behind the scenes to organise even more events for 2025, adding a wealth of options to our gifting pages. So, keep an eye out for what's to come! In the meantime, why not dive into our remaining events this year and celebrate the season in style?
Upcoming Events
Sydney – Champagne and Chardonnay
Thursday, November 14th – $399 per head (2 tickets left)
Brisbane – Champagne and Chardonnay
Friday, November 22nd – $315 per head (tickets selling fast)
Melbourne - Snap Crackle and Pop, A Wine Animal Sparkling Spectacular
Thursday, December 5th - $275 per head (ticket on sale today)
More information on all these events and to purchase your tickets please go to the events pages on the website.
The Haul - Exclusive Wholesale Wines
This month’s Haul has some fantastic deals and wines available but stock is limited so please get in quick to secure your wine. Each selection requires a minimum order of three bottles—ideal for ensuring you’re well-prepared for every occasion.
- Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2024 $80 rrp $65 sale
- Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2024 MAGNUM (individually gift wrapped) $180 rrp $150 sale
- Gaffy and Neale Merricks North Chardonnay 2023 $75 rrp $65 sale
- Georgia Dale XI XI Blanc de Blancs 2021 $60 rrp $50 sale
- Billecart Salmon Sous Bois (Oak Barrel Ferment) $170 rrp $155 Sale
- Fraser Gallop Parterre Chardonnay 2022 $55 rrp $48 Sale
- Gembrook Hill Chardonnay 2023 $65 rrp $50 sale
- Sorrenberg Sem Sav Blend 2024 $60 rrp $50 sale
- Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet 2019 $85 rrp $75 Sale
Happy hunting, Wine Animals!
We Want Your Feedback! Help Us Shape the Future of Wine Animal
Our Jungle Club members have shared some incredibly insightful feedback, and now we’re inviting all of our valued subscribers to join the conversation. At Wine Animal, we’re always striving to create an unforgettable experience—whether it’s through exclusive wine selections, unique events, or insightful content. Now, we’d love to hear directly from you about what you want to see more of.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Wine Animal community? What elements of your experience do you find the most valuable, and where do you think we could improve? Your feedback is essential to ensuring we continue to grow and evolve in ways that truly meet your needs.
Click the link to answer five quick questions, and help us make Wine Animal even better. Thank you for being a part of our journey!
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Wine Animal community?
- A) Access to exclusive wines and events
- B) Receiving monthly updates and offers
- C) Learning about wines and wine regions
- D) Engaging with other wine enthusiasts
How satisfied are you with the quality and variety of wines offered by Wine Animal?
- A) Very satisfied – always exceptional
- B) Satisfied – generally pleased with selections
- C) Neutral – selections could be improved
- D) Dissatisfied – not meeting my expectations
Which types of content or offers do you find most valuable?
- A) Exclusive event invitations
- B) Monthly wine deals (The Haul)
- C) Wine educational content and articles
- D) General updates and newsletters
What would you like to see more of in Wine Animal’s offerings?
- A) Expanded wine variety and rare selections
- B) Additional wine tasting events and tours
- C) Educational content, like wine reviews and winery overviews
- D) Community engagement and member-exclusive experiences
Is there anything specific you’d like Wine Animal to investigate or offer?
- A) More wholesale offers or private collection sales
- B) In-depth wine pairings and tasting notes
- C) Events with unique themes (please suggest!)
- D) Other (please specify in the text box)
You can have your say.
The Jungle Club
A big thank you to our Founding Members whose annual memberships have just renewed—your support means the world to me! To our new members, welcome aboard! And for those still on the fence, now’s a great time to join, as we have plenty of exciting updates and exclusive benefits coming in the next year that you won’t want to miss.
Final Word
As we wrap up this edition of The Pride, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for being part of the Wine Animal community. The holiday season is a special time for gathering with friends and family, and I’m thrilled to bring you an array of handpicked wines, exclusive events, and unique gifting options to make every celebration unforgettable.
Your feedback will help shape the future of this community, and I’m excited to keep building on what we’ve started, with even more experiences, selections, and perks planned for 2025. So, whether you’re joining us for an event, exploring our latest wine deals, or just toasting to the season with one of our curated bottles, let’s make the holiday season a memorable one.
Here’s to a festive season filled with great wine, memorable gatherings, and looking ahead to an incredible year with Wine Animal. Cheers! 🥂