The Wandering Cellar Door’s expertise broadens appreciation for the finer things in life
If you wanted to broaden your culinary horizons, this Townsville business has got you covered with special tasting events that are delighting adventurous foodies. Find out more.
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Adventurous foodies looking to broaden their culinary horizons will get to experience some of the finer things in life with a Townsville business creating awareness about lesser-known wines and whiskies, and combining them into multi-course degustations.
The Wandering Cellar Door, founded in 2023 by Townsville resident Matt Wilkie and his partner Jasmine Clarke, aims to deliver capital-city-style beverage experiences in a fun and engaging manner.
With 20 years experience in hospitality, including managing restaurants in Townsville and Brisbane, Mr Wilkie had been looking for a change of pace after feeling burnt out and struggling with his mental health.
A visit to Lino Ramble Wines in South Australia’s McLaren Vale wine district was a defining moment for him, highlighting the value of storytelling which connected people, not just to the drink in their glass, but to the journey behind it.
“The inspiration behind The Wandering Cellar Door came from first hand experiences with some of the most passionate winemakers and distillers, particularly small, family-owned producers dedicated to their craft,” Mr Wilkie said.
“These smaller wineries have got great stories and great products and I just wanted to find a way to tell their stories.
“The best part was I knew some restaurants that wanted bums on seats coming out of Covid, and I just brought the two together.”
Over the past two years, the couple have organised over 30 events in Townsville, ranging from casual but informative whisky masterclasses to curated wine-pairing degustations, designed to elevate the local hospitality offering, and support venues.
By giving locals access to independent producers and boutique distilleries, often only available in major cities, he was hoping to foster a deeper appreciation for the craft.
“Whether it’s a guided whisky session featuring rare Islay expressions or a Sunday long lunch pairing fine wines with curated dishes, we’re creating unique moments for Townsville locals,” he said.”
“In the coming months, I’m excited to be working with two of Townsville’s beloved institutions: Heritage Exchange and Wayne and Adele’s Garden of Eating.
“These venues have long been staples of the local food and beverage scene, and I’m thrilled to be partnering with them to create exceptional experiences for our community.”
While their Easter Sunday degustation at Garden of Eating had already sold out, tickets were still available for the Whisky Masterclass at the Heritage Exchange on April 6.
“We’ve got a fantastic evening lined up, featuring six premium whiskies, including some incredible expressions from Bruichladdich and a 15-year-old whisky from the Orkney Islands,” he said.
“It’s not just about the whisky – we’ll be sharing stories, whisky knowledge, and fun facts along the way, all while enjoying some cheese and charcuterie.”
Mr Wilkie also offers freelance hospitality consultancy, helping local businesses to refine their beverage programs and elevate customer experiences.
For more information, visit: www.thewanderingcellardoor.com.
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Originally published as The Wandering Cellar Door’s expertise broadens appreciation for the finer things in life
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