For Chief Winemaker Paul Bridgeman, the season begins not with a menu, but with a mood. “Holiday celebrations should feel effortless,” he often says, “but never without intention.” It’s a sentiment that mirrors his own winemaking philosophy: meticulous detail, years of patience, and the belief that the finest experiences deserve to unfold slowly.

And so, at Paul’s festive table, one element always holds pride of place: Our 2017 Estate Sparkling Rose.

The Season belongs to Sparkling wine

There is something unmistakably celebratory about the first whisper of bubbles in the glass. Our Sparkling Rosé, shaped by an unusually cool vintage and given extended time on lees, captures both freshness and depth - an expression of craft made for moments of joy.

Paul describes it as “a wine that carries the quiet intensity of the season—bright, generous, with the structure to pair all afternoon and into the evening.”
It becomes the anchor of the day: poured at arrival, enjoyed through the first course, and returned to long after the plates have been cleared.

Holiday pairings that elevate the ritual

• Fresh seafood entrées: kingfish crudo, oysters, or prawns kissed with lemon and herbs
• Summer salads: heirloom tomato, burrata, herbs from the garden
• Lightly spiced dishes: a subtle counterpoint to the wine’s fine acidity and creamy palate
• Desserts with bright fruit: raspberry, grapefruit, blood orange

Its versatility makes it the one bottle that moves with ease across the day; refreshing with lunch, elegant at dusk, quietly decadent with dessert. 

At the Winemaker’s Table

The scene is always the same: sunlight stretching across the table, glassware catching the warmth of the afternoon, and dishes that celebrate simplicity done beautifully.

Late morning begins with Sparkling Rosé, always chilled to perfection, opened with a gentle twist of the wrist, never rushed. Paul prefers it in a tulip glass, allowing the wine’s aromatics; caramelised peach, ruby grapefruit and strawberry guava to open with grace.

After the main event and the afternoon softens into evening Paul returns to sparkling. It is, as he says, “the wine that brings the day full circle; beginning with celebration, ending with reflection.”

Creating your own Sparkling ritual

Just as winemaking is a series of thoughtful gestures, so too is hosting. A few quiet luxuries make the day feel elevated:

• Chill your sparkling to 4–6°C for perfect balance
• Use tulip or white-wine glasses to allow aromatics to unfurl
• Pair across the entire menu, not just the first course
• Keep a bottle on ice nearby, effortless elegance
• Let the day unfold slowly; the best celebrations always do

A final word from the Winemaker

“The Holiday season isn’t about extravagance,” Paul reflects. “It’s about elevating the moments we share, whether with family, friends, or simply good food and a beautiful bottle. Sparkling wine has a way of making even the simplest table feel memorable.”

At Levantine Hill, we raise a glass to a season defined not by excess, but by intention, craft, and the quiet luxury of time well spent.

Our 2017 Estate Sparkling Rosé is available via our online shop and at our Cellar Door at the Estate.