If you love wine, I highly recommend a visit to Azure Bar & Grill at the Elements of Byron resort. The wine list is extensive with over 200 wines of varying price-points listed and a solid mix of Australian and international labels. Restaurant Manager Harriet Johnson oversees the cellar and she has curated a wine list which is seriously interesting, including some very impressive and hard-to-find bottles. The list includes Australia’s most well-known wineries such as Penfolds, Leuwin Estate and Shaw & Smith, as well as smaller labels like Jilly, Bindi and Ochota Barrels. There is an excellent selection of Italian wine, which Johnson explains tends to suit the Australian climate and lifestyle, including dedicated sections for up-and-coming winemaker Ariana Occhipinti and cult-favorite Radikon. There is also an incredible Growers Champagne list featuring renowned boutique champagne houses including Egly-Ouriet and Jacques Selosse.

Many of the wines on the list are made using minimal intervention techniques, which Johnson says is a growing trend on wine lists across the country, perhaps especially in Byron Bay where increased importance is placed on products made with sustainability and natural processes in mind. House champagne Louis Roederer is produced according to biodynamic and sustainable practices. Johnson works closely with Lo-Fi Wines, the Australian based wine importer and distributor of local and international producers with a strong commitment to sustainable practices and low-intervention winemaking. Lo-Fi also owns Byron Bay natural wine shop Luna and operates the annual Full Moon Natural Wine Festival held in Byron Bay.

On 22nd August Elements of Byron will host a dinner with acclaimed winemaker Jak Nash from New Zealand’s Dog Point Vineyard. Located in Marlborough, Dog Point is a family owned winery and the largest certified organic vineyard in the country. It is also one of the oldest privately established vineyards in Marlborough with pinot noir vines that are more than 40 years old. Maker of some of New Zealand’s best wines, Dog Point Vineyard follows organic farming practices and a low intervention winemaking ethos, including hand harvesting vines and using only natural products in the winemaking process.

Azure Executive Chef Ebony Baker has designed a four course degustation menu to accompany Dog Point’s refined wines. Baker was recently awarded Chef of the Year at the NSW Accommodation Australia Awards for Excellence 2024. Having worked at restaurants around the world, Baker brings a global view to cooking whilst being heavily influenced by the excellent local, seasonal produce available in Byron Bay.

This is an incredible opportunity to meet one of New Zealand’s best winemakers, drink some exceptional wine and enjoy a meal by one of the best chef’s in Byron Bay. Tickets are $165 per person and can be purchased via the Elements of Byron website.

Thursday 22 August
Dog Point Wines
6-9pm, Azure Bar and Grill Winemaker Dinner
Bookings online

Cat Jones aka @byron.bay.eats
After many years of incredible gastronomic experiences across the globe, Cat has returned to the region. Inspired by the excellent produce, local products and restaurants in the area, Cat started Byron Bay Eats in 2020, capturing the essence of Byron’s unique culture to become the leading food voice in the region.