Australia came to New York this month and it was a great time. On October 15th, Penfolds, one of the most iconic Australian winemakers, transformed Old Mate’s Pub into a full-blown celebration of Aussie culture with their Red Lounge Takeover. The evening offered guests a transportive experience—equal parts wine education, cultural immersion, and a reminder that few countries do conviviality quite like the land down under.
The space felt uniquely like Penfolds: intimate but electric, with the hum of conversation and the occasional “cheers, mate” echoing between pours. Upstairs, guests were invited to sip through a flight of Penfolds’ most storied vintages paired with curated bites; downstairs, the aptly named Rave Cave kept the party going with Tawny cocktails, great bites, and a familiar looseness that only good wine and good company can inspire.
At the heart of the experience was a lineup that told the story of Penfolds’ evolution—one glass at a time. For context, BIN stands for Batch Identification Number, which is helpful for naming the wonderful wines I sampled throughout the evening. The BIN 311 Chardonnay, sourced from Tasmania and southeastern Australia, opened the evening with a bright, textural freshness: subtle orchard fruit, a flicker of citrus, and the kind of finish that quietly lingers.
Then came the BIN 28 Shiraz, all spice and structure, followed by the BIN 389 Cabernet Sauvignon—or as aficionados know it, “Baby Grange.” Aged in the same barrels as the legendary Grange, BIN 389 is an earthy, medium-bodied Cabernet that manages to be both collectible and approachable. It’s the kind of wine that proves Penfolds’ mastery lies not just in prestige, but in balance. For those who aren’t big wine aficionados, Grange is arguably the most collectible wine in Australia and the BIN 389 served as a great introduction to it’s layered taste.
The BIN 704, a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, rounded out the tasting. It’s a fascinating transpacific expression—Californian fruit interpreted through an Australian sensibility. It drinks like a cultural exchange: polished, expressive, and unmistakably Penfolds.
For a label that’s almost as old as Australia itself, Penfolds continues to feel effortlessly modern. The Red Lounge Takeover wasn’t just a tasting—it was a statement of how tradition and innovation can share the same table. By the end of the night, as glasses clinked and laughter rose above the music, Old Mate’s felt less like a downtown bar and more like a Sydney night out.
The Red Lounge Takeover might have been a one-night affair, but its message was lasting: great wine transcends geography. Sometimes, all it takes is a pour to bring a little bit of Australia to the heart of New York.
