Australian TV personality and actor Tim Robards will launch his first Australian Rosé named after his three-year-old daughter Elle Rosé. The limited-edition bottle will make its debut on reputed wine lists at some of Bondi’s most prized restaurants just in time for summer.
Robards took inspiration to create an Australian Rosé while enjoying plenty from Provence during his honeymoon in Europe six years ago. The rest is a flushed pink adventure he’s still getting acquainted with.
As the first ever Bachelor Australia contestant who married his sweetheart Anna Heinrich in 2018, Robards first thought about venturing into the wine business during the pandemic.
It was during lockdown that he met wine connoisseur and winemaker Shun Eto from VinoEd – attending his curated Zoom wine experiences – sampling three new bottles of wine a week to learn a little, and taste a lot. The two got brainstorming and the ambition to start a label together was born.
Shun Eto is well regarded in the wine industry – with over 15 years in the business, most recently opening Shell House as wine director. His expertise and passion for locally sourced and sustainable wines led to a conversation with Collector Wines’ Alex McKay, one of the best winemakers in Australia.
The rest is a grape picking journey they’re all bonding over.
McKay sources his grapes from the Canberra district and surrounds and weaved his magic at the Hilltops Wine Region, NSW to get the Elle Rosé notes just right. What’s more he’ll be their go-to winemaker every year going forward.
“It’s a first for all of us,” says Tim Robards.
“Alex McKay hasn’t worked on anything like this before and it’s specific to our brand. I even managed to collect a few bunches of grapes just in time which was a bit of fun,” he says.
The limited edition 2000 bottles will be sold in six packs; and stocked exclusively at a handful of restaurants in Sydney over summer.
“I wanted to do a Rosé that was similar in style to a French Rosé, but with a nod to Australia,” he says. “That’s where you get that musk, and native florals on the nose with our Rosé. It gives it a sense of this is Australian.”
“I like a Rosé when it’s dry, subtle and has a bit of acid to it. It’s easy to drink and pairs well with seafood, prawns and oysters which is perfect summer weather,” he adds.
For now, Robards says the wine label is a passion project, but he won’t rule out it turning into a business should the first release do wonders.
The passion project and small run of wines means each label costs him $4 a pop for now, designed in collaboration with a graphic designer to craft a simple, texturised and elegant logo with rose gold foil.
While his role on Neighbours ended in 2020, Robards still has a strong passion for acting and plans to focus on more of that in 2024. With the SAG strike now over, he’s ready to start auditioning for roles in the USA again.
“I am trying to get to the US and give it a good go,” he says.
“There hasn’t been an audition for four months which has been tough. I have come so close and getting closer to a bite, but lots of rejection in this game. I used my time in the strike to sharpen the tools and that meant I spent a lot of time doing masterclasses and emotional masterclasses. That’s my other passion that I am really trying to turn into a career,” he says.
Robards and Heinrich are also expecting a second daughter soon; which can only mean one thing right?
“I’ll have to name the next wine after her next,” he smiles. “That’s also on the to think about next list.”
