Tasting, tunes and terroir: A night of Geelong indulgence

THREE of Geelong’s premier hospitality venues are teaming up to deliver an evening of cool jazz, award-winning local beverages and a tasting menu that puts the best of the region’s produce in the spotlight.

Gin, Jazz & Shiraz will take place at the Waurn Ponds Estate on Friday, June 27 from 6pm, bringing together Oakdene Vineyards’ renowned shiraz and Anther Distillery’s native botanical inspired gins in the Estate’s front lounge for a night of tasting, learning and relaxing.

The event will feature a flowing tasting menu from Waurn Ponds Estate’s head chef Damian Beggs that highlights shiraz and gin as ingredients, with culinary delights such as chargrilled Otway pork tenderloin with a rich shiraz reduction and freshly shucked Pacific oysters finished with a shallot and gin mignonette on offer.

The Orlando Combo Jazz Band will perform throughout the evening, while, for those interested in learning more about the local drops available, ambassadors from Oakdene and Anther will share their passion and knowledge between jazz sets.

Waurn Ponds Estate centre manager Ebony Kirk said the event was driven by a desire to work with other local suppliers and to help spread the word about the boutique venue, which is tucked away on Deakin University’s Waurn Ponds campus.

“The names say it all,” Ms Kirk said. “I don’t think you could come across a Geelong local that doesn’t know Oakdene and that doesn’t know Anther.”

“During the evening, we’re trying to emulate that jazz lounge, where you can come in, have your close circle of friends, set up on a couch with a coffee table and be entertained by the jazz band.”

For Sebastian Reaburn and Dervilla McGowan, who co-founded Anther Distillery in 2016, the backdrop also has a welcome personal connection, with the couple first meeting at the Deakin University campus.

The event forms part of the month-long Tastes of Greater Geelong festival, which is set to begin this evening (Friday, June 20) at Johnstone Park with a winter wonderland-themed celebration promising firepit-toasted marshmallows and mulled wine.

This year’s festival will feature more than 80 events, spanning venues across the municipality, from Armstrong Creek and Corio to Portarlington, with a spotlight on the array of international cuisines available in Geelong.

For tickets to the Gin, Jazz & Shiraz event at Waurn Ponds Estate next weekend, head to Eventbrite, or to view the full Tastes of Greater Geelong program, head to geelong.link/Tastes2025

Printed guides are also available from the city’s Wurriki Nyal civic precinct in Mercer Street and at any of the festival’s host venues.