Ravensworth Wines takes over the menu at Rebel Rebel for a week of unconventional drinks

Rebel Rebel is teaming up with another rebel of sorts: deliberately unconventional winemaker Bryan Martin of Ravensworth Wines for a wine list takeover. The Rebel Rebel team will be pouring a broad selection of interesting Ravensworth wines over the week of 29 July to 4 August.

Bryan Martin is a former chef, food critic and Clonakilla winemaker. He started Ravensworth in 2001 because, as he says, “it seemed like a good idea at the time”.

Ravensworth vintages have since become cult favourites among lovers of his excellent and non-traditional wines.

Owner and chef at Rebel Rebel, Sean McConnell, explained that this is the second time they’ve featured a local winemaker in this way.

“We really like this week-long format because it gives us the chance to showcase the winemaker to a whole range of people. It’s heaps more accessible than a one-night-only set menu thing, which can be a bit exclusive,” he told Region.

“Nobody is tied down to a set menu price, so people can just come in and just have one drink or stay for dinner with matched wines if they want.”

The previous wine list takeover was several years ago and featured Hamish Young’s Mada Wines.

In addition to producing unique bottles of classic Canberra region wines like Shiraz and Riesling, Ravensworth also makes a number of experimental drops like their Velo Rosé, which makes use of finicky flor yeast that slowly ferments Nebbiolo juice while protecting it from oxidation and microbes which could spoil the wine.

Ravensworth has also been experimenting with Amaro – fortified wine with bitters and botanicals added to create a tasty aperitif, while Rhône Valley varietals (Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier) have been blended to create The Grainery, a balanced, fragrant white.

Bryan will also be disgorging a Pet Nat especially for the wine list takeover, so there will be something new for customers to try.

“We’re really stoked to do this with Bryan because there’s such a breadth and depth to the wines he makes,” Sean explained.

“It matches how we like to structure our wine list anyway, with a real range of weights and textures … we’ve selected a few of Bryan’s really unique wines.”

The Rebel Rebel menu is ideal for sharing among friends, with a produce-driven menu featuring seasonal ingredients. The simplicity of the menu’s presentation belies the technical skills at play: McConnell is well regarded for his seasoning skills, utilising sauces, pickles and ferments to achieve balanced plates. The menu will likely feature Terra Preta Truffles, and seafood sourced from an Ulladulla-based fisherman who has recently started supplying the restaurant directly.

Rather than matching each dish to a particular wine, the pairings will be a little more “ad hoc”.

As Sean explained, “Bryan will run a one-hour tasting with the Rebel Rebel staff members before they kick off, so they will have the tools to guide customers through wine matches.”

Ravensworth Wines will also be available to take away by the bottle from Rebel Rebel. Those wanting to hear directly from the winemaker should book on Monday, 29 July, or Friday, 2 August, as Bryan Martin will be on-site to answer questions and provide personal recommendations.

Rebel Rebel is located at 21-23 Marcus Clarke Street, New Acton.

The Ravensworth Wine takeover will run from Monday, 29 July, to Sunday, 4 August. Rebel Rebel is open from 5 pm until late Monday to Wednesday, and from 12 pm to late Thursday to Sunday.
Bookings via Rebel Rebel, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Visit Ravensworth Wines to learn more about Bryan’s winemaking.