Fine cars and fine wine These terms go hand in hand – so it’s unsurprising that a long-time Porsche owner and his son established a company treating its customers to some of the best wines available.
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imply Wines was founded by Stuart Macdonald, who purchased his first of many Porsches in the ’80s. Established by Stuart and his best friend, the business is now owned by Stuart and his son Lachlan. ‘When my father started the business in 2009, I was enlisted to build a website,’ Lachlan says. ‘My passion for wine emerged around 2015, when I bought the business partner out.’ Simply Wines shares a philosophy with Porsche Centre Brighton, both companies being depended on for premium products and advice. Lachlan handles high-end wines from some of the planet’s most famous wine regions, including many made here in Australia. ‘Several distributors helped me source rare and unique wines,’ Lachlan explains. ‘After hearing recommendations from customers, I contact wineries directly. I’m constantly talking to wine lovers and enthusiasts, assessing whether there are any interesting new wines I should try. I sample wines from all over the world, from vintages in Bordeaux to sparingly produced champagnes.’ Lachlan also relies on his distributors. Many of these import directly from wineries, requiring strict temperature control to keep wines in optimum condition. Lachlan Macdonald
‘You should look after your wine like you look after your car, including storing it at the optimal temperature and humidity,’ Lachlan explains. Lachlan carefully pairs wines with customers, catering to their palates by building up a record of what they enjoy. His wines are aimed at discerning drinkers, with prices ranging from $60 to the thousand-dollar mark. ‘Some of my customers have been drinking insane wine from around the world for up to 40 years, so I help them out by suggesting new producers. For customers who are starting out, I’ll point them in the right direction.’ So, what are some of those ‘insane’ wines? ‘When I think of really high-end wines, I think of Burgundy – first-growth Bordeaux and champagne,’ he says. ‘You don’t really need to spend a great deal of money, though,’ he adds reassuringly. ‘If you’re spending $50 or more on a bottle of Australian wine, you’ll get something high-quality.’
What are Lachlan’s favourites? ‘My favourites include Mount Mary, Savaterre, Domenica, Bacchus Family wine from Margaret River, Izway, Standish, Sami-Odi, Luke Lambert, Sentio, Bass Phillip, Mayer … I could go on. There are many great producers, so call me if you’re after something special.’ Simply Wines customers are based all over the world, receiving personal attention with conversations revolving around their current favourites and tastes. ‘We normally hold wine tastings at a private residence every two to three months, inviting people to come and taste an interesting range. ‘Most of the time, I’ll have the winemaker there to discuss their wines, along with their life’s journey.’ For more information about Simply Wines or to make contact with Lachlan, visit www.simplywines.com.au, Instagram @simply.wines.
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