Lake's Folly Masterclass @ Vera Wine & Bar - Tuesday, 15th September 2026

Join us at Vera Wine & Bar for a very special evening celebrating one of Australia's most iconic wineries, Lake's Folly, alongside Chief Winemaker Rod Kempe.

Established in 1963 by Dr Max Lake, Lake's Folly is widely regarded as the birthplace of Australia's modern boutique wine industry. Long before small, quality-focused wineries became commonplace, Dr Lake proved that world-class wines could be produced from a tiny Hunter Valley vineyard. More than sixty years later, Lake's Folly remains one of the country's most revered producers, crafting wines of extraordinary elegance, longevity and consistency that have become benchmarks for Australian Cabernet blends and Chardonnay.

We are incredibly fortunate to welcome Rod Kempe to Vera for this intimate masterclass. As both General Manager and Head Winemaker since 2000, Rod has been instrumental in continuing the remarkable legacy of Lake's Folly while carefully guiding the estate into its next chapter. Few people know these wines more intimately, making this a rare opportunity to hear firsthand about the history, vineyards, vintages and philosophy behind one of Australia's most treasured wineries.

Throughout the evening, Rod will guide us through a carefully selected lineup spanning current releases and museum wines and even a sparkling that most people didn't even know existed! This is offering a unique insight into how these remarkable wines evolve over time. From the purity and finesse of Lake's Folly Chardonnay to the legendary Cabernet blend that has defined the estate for generations, this tasting is a celebration of one of the Hunter Valley's greatest success stories.

We’ll be tasting through eight exceptional wines hand-selected by Rod himself, including several from his own personal cellar. The tasting will open with something truly special: a 2016 Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine that is yet to be released, and has never been seen publicly before.

From there, the line-up will span the range with both current releases and older vintages, offering a rare opportunity to see just how beautifully these wines evolve with age.

A special Lake's Folly pre-order offer will be available exclusively to ticket holders, allowing guests to secure wines ahead of the event and collect them on the night. 

Ticket holders will also receive access to special event pricing, with additional discounts available on multi-bottle purchases.

Many of these wines are produced in extremely limited quantities and allocations will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cheese boards will be available for pre-purchase. Please reach out for more information.

Date: Tuesday, 15th September 2026
Time: 5:45pm – 7:45pm
Location: Vera Wine & Bar, Beaumont Street, Hamilton
Tickets: $110 per person

Seats are strictly limited and previous Vera masterclasses have sold out quickly.