A dedicated wine room has opened at The Reef House Adults Retreat providing an intimate space for wine appreciation classes with newly appointed sommelier Kenny Hillier.
The Reef House Director Malcolm Bean welcomed Mr Hillier to the service-focused team whose attention to detail has earned the adults’ retreat TripAdvisor’s awards for No1 Luxury Hotel and No1 Hotel in both the South Pacific and Australia 2024.
“Kenny Hillier is a raconteur who grew up in South Australia’s premier wine districts and whose extensive wine knowledge has been honed over many years in some of the top restaurants in Australia and London,” Mr Bean said.
“He has worked at Michael Caine’s trendy Langan’s Brasserie in Mayfair and with Philippe Mouchel at Paul Bocuse in Melbourne before joining him again at Langton’s Restaurant and Wine Bar at Flinders Lane where there were 1600 wines on the list.
“In addition to developing an extensive wine list, Kenny will host wine appreciation classes in the new wine room as part of The Reef House’s more than 28 complimentary Signature Inclusions for guests wanting an adults-only getaway focusing on rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.”
Mr Hillier said the classes gave guests an insight into the world of wine with three selected wines enjoyed in the intimate cellar space.
“We start by talking about what is not in the glass – if it hasn’t got white and black pepper then it’s not shiraz. Then we might talk about whether it is new world or old world,” he said.
“My plan for The Reef House is to have every wine district in Australia represented along with a curated international selection. I want to offer the right wines at the right price to the right people.
“Wine should be fun, after all it is a drink! Our customers are not scared to drink good wine, they just need to be educated about what they will enjoy.”
The Reef House Adults Retreat is a sister property to Adelaide Hills duo Mt Lofty House, TripAdvisor’s No1 Luxury Hotel in Australia and South Pacific 2022 and 2023, and Sequoia Lodge, the Australian Lodge 2023 winner of the HM Awards and winner of Luxury Hotel Accommodation 2023 in the South Australian Tourism Awards and the Australian Hotels Association Awards.
Visit reefhouse.com.au for more information.
