Wine masterclass Adelaide: what happens on the night, who it suits and how to get the most from it.
Adelaide Food & Wine
A wine masterclass in Adelaide is the quickest way to learn a producer or a grape in one evening. Here is how a hosted tasting runs, how to taste six wines with some method, and what to book at Bar Septimus this spring.
What is a wine masterclass?
A masterclass is a seated, hosted tasting. A small group works through a set flight of wines in a fixed order, and someone who knows the wines talks you through each one. That host might be the winemaker, the owner of the label or a member of the bar team.
It differs from a cellar door visit in three ways. Everyone tastes the same wines at the same time. The order is planned so each wine teaches you something about the next. And there is time for questions, which is where most of the learning happens.
How a wine masterclass in Adelaide usually runs
At Septimus the format is consistent. Arrival is from 6pm, everyone is seated at 6:30pm and the evening finishes by 9pm. Six wines are poured and talked through, matched to cheese and charcuterie from our board. Seats are capped at 24, so the host can get to every question.
How to taste six wines in one sitting
Six wines is enough to compare and few enough to remember. A simple structure helps. The WSET Systematic Approach to Tasting breaks every wine into four stages: appearance, nose, palate and conclusions.
Look, then smell
Tilt the glass against something white and note the depth of colour. Older reds lighten at the rim. Then smell the wine before you swirl it, and again after. Write down two or three words. They do not need to be clever.
Taste for structure, not flavour
Flavour words are personal. Structure is easier to agree on. Ask four questions of each wine: how much acid, how much tannin, how much alcohol, and how long the finish lasts. When the host pours two wines side by side, compare them on these points first.
Use the spittoon
Six full pours over three hours adds up. Spitting is normal at any serious tasting. Drink water between wines and eat from the board.
Why the flight order matters
A good flight is built as a series of comparisons. The most useful are vertical (one wine across several vintages) and horizontal (one grape from different sites in the same year).
The Hoffmann Family Vineyards masterclass on Thursday 15 October is a clear example. The six wines are three Grenache and three Shiraz: the 2021 Church Block, 2020 Mt Charles and 2012 Hoffmann DV Grenache, then the 2021 Mickan Block, 2020 Mt Charles and 2017 Hoffmann DV Shiraz. You taste site against site, then young against aged, with two grapes from the same estate. Adrian Hoffmann hosts.
Wine masterclasses at Bar Septimus this spring
Three winemaker masterclasses are on the calendar, all on Thursdays at 220 Grenfell Street. Each is $55 a person for six wines with cheese and charcuterie. An optional Marie-Jeanne charcuterie board can be added for $39, shared between two.
Hoffmann Family Vineyards, Thursday 15 October
Barossa Grenache and Shiraz, including two older DV releases. See the Hoffmann masterclass.
Langmeil, Thursday 12 November
Six wines from the Barossa producer, presented and discussed, with a small serve of cheese, charcuterie and crackers.
Sherrah, Thursday 10 December
The last masterclass of the year. Alex Sherrah brings his family-run McLaren Vale label, with a flight that moves from a 2025 Pétillant-Naturel Fiano/Chenin Blanc through the 2026 Fiano and 2025 Skin Party Fiano to rosé, the 2026 Grenache Nouveau and the 2023 Bush Vine Grenache. It is a good class for anyone curious about Mediterranean varieties in South Australia.
The full list, including tastings and the Wine Options League, is on our events page.
Practical tips before you book
Book early and book together
With 24 seats, classes fill. Up to eight tickets can be bought online. For larger groups, email hi@septimus.au. A masterclass also works as a small team outing; our end-of-year function guide covers the larger options.
Eat something first
The board is matched to the wines. Have a light meal beforehand, or add the board upgrade, to keep your palate steady through six wines.
Ask the awkward question
Hosts expect it. Why that vineyard, why that oak, why pick on that date. The answers are what you will remember.
Try tasting blind next
Once you have a method, test it with the labels hidden. Our blind wine tasting guide explains how to start.
Sources
Come and taste it
Bar Septimus pours French and Australian wine by the glass alongside artisan cheese and charcuterie at 220 Grenfell Street, Adelaide East End.
Wine masterclass Adelaide: the short version
Masterclasses at Bar Septimus run most months with the winemaker in the room, a guided flight and cheese on the table. Seats are limited and go to the mailing list first. See what’s on.