Our favourite things: Good food, good wine, good company, great music, beautiful places, dancing all night and above all - adventure.
As you know, we think wine is all about the experience. When we came up with the idea of creating extraordinary experiences for people, bringing together all of our favourite things and taking people “down the rabbit hole” on a wine drinking adventure, it felt more like a dream. But to see that dream come to fruition, to see a huge room filled with people, music and laughter, all sharing that experience, with strangers sitting side by side, and later linking arms and dancing together, has meant more to us than we could possibly express.
This was our third pop up cellar door party and this time we transformed the heritage Old Queens Theatre and took the people of Adelaide (and a few who travelled from interstate to be there) Down The Rabbit Hole to Gypsy Land, for two completely sold out nights.
The event emulated a life of adventure on the road, gypsy travellers stopping together to indulge in a night of eating, drinking and dancing.
After months of collecting, sewing, and building, plus three sleepless days and nights setting up, the candles were lit, the music started, the first glass was poured, and the whole place sparkled under a canopy of lights.
I couldn't find tables this long, or the light features I wanted anywhere in SA - so my amazing husband, Domenic, built both for me! (With branches my Grandma collected from gardens all over - got caught doing so, and pretended they were for her birds - thanks Grandma!) Ps. she doesn't have any birds.
One of our bars was this super cute caravan - Little Valerie! With our friends Anthony and Catherine whipping up the most delicious DTRH rosè cocktails. Made with sloe gin, apricot brandy, blackberries and fresh rosemary.
The cellar door room was buzzing both nights. We also held private tastings in our van, Scout.
The director of End Homelessness SA, Josh, giving a speech.
We felt strongly that these events are also an opportunity to shine a light on the wonderful work that End Homelessness SA are doing in our state. While the event celebrates the joy of adventure, and the joy of food and wine, so many South Australians are sleeping rough every night. There’s a big contrast here and our hope is that it encourages people to think, and possibly to act. EHSA believe that homelessness doesn’t need to exist at all, and that it is very possible for the problem to be solved. Domenic, my husband, met Josh who runs EHSA and instantly connected with his goals. Their motto is “More Than One”, that it takes a whole community to come together, to recognise ending homelessness as a worthy challenge, for that to be possible.
We felt strongly that these events are also an opportunity to shine a light on the wonderful work that End Homelessness SA are doing in our state. While the event celebrates the joy of adventure, and the joy of food and wine, so many South Australians are sleeping rough every night. There’s a big contrast here and our hope is that it encourages people to think, and possibly to act. EHSA believe that homelessness doesn’t need to exist at all, and that it is very possible for the problem to be solved. Domenic, my husband, met Josh who runs EHSA and instantly connected with his goals. Their motto is “More Than One”, that it takes a whole community to come together, to recognise ending homelessness as a worthy challenge, for that to be possible.
Cozy wine times in the bell tent.
DTRH team photo - plus Elise's two brothers, who have pretty much joined the team. Jonny may have cut his fringe with paper scissors so he could see what he was pouring better...
Our beautiful Gypsies, welcoming everyone at the front door.
Sean - your Gypsy Land tour guide!
We had an incredible line up of music both nights, with Matt Stillert, Georgia Carey, MANE, Operation Firehat, Conchillia and The Timbers, all playing on the back of an old vintage truck.
We definitely had the whole room moving.
Congo lines and all!
We also celebrated the release of our new wine - our Sangiovese Cabernet. It went down a treat and the feedback was fantastic (we knew it would be, we are very proud of this beautiful blend). It is also now available online!
A BIG thank you to everyone who joined us Down The Rabbit Hole, we felt so blessed to share two incredible nights with all of you. We hope you had fun!
Thank you to our family and friends, who gave up their time to help us pull this whole thing off. Thanks to Corpralite Audio & Visual - who helped us with all our sound & lighting - an amazing team who did the most incredible job!
Thanks once again to Old Refinery, who have our favourite range of rustic hire pieces that add a little something extra to every zone we create.
Thanks to Adelaide's cutest vintage caravan, Flossie, who, along with Scout, were the cosiest spots in our cellar door room.
Thanks to Little Valerie - the super cool, and super stylish bar on wheels.
Thanks to Brimblecombe who let us use their vintage truck - even though it was touch and go with starting her!
A big shout out to a friendly stranger who became part of the family by the end of the three days of set up and was a never ending help to us. Thanks Bill! :)
And finally - thanks to End Homelessness SA for teaming up and allowing us to channel all the good will where it's needed most.
Photos by Matthew Kroker, Matt Pfeil & Elise Cook
Film created by David Resce - Pink Sun Productions.
Music: Matt Stillert - "Little Yellow Wand" & The Timbers - "Dance"
Event created by Elise Cook, Domenic Palumbo & Matthew Highet - Down The Rabbit Hole Wines.
What great photos of an incredible night.,Knowing that this was an event to focus on our Homeless people of SA was an inspirational accomplishment to you and Dom and your team..love seeing the photos that you share with us on FB…would love to see an event down her at VH or anywhere on the Fleurieu For that matter..Bless you both.