Winemakers Brad Atkins and Matthew Davies career pivoted into winemaking when they purchased their first vineyard in 2009 in Dixons Creek. The challenge was to resurrect a site overrun with blackberries -and once creating award-winning wines, as a destination worth revisiting.
In 2017, the pair quit their respective corporate careers to focus on the expansion of the business and Steels Gate Estate became a full-time focus – with a restaurant bringing a new charm to the winemaking process.
They’ve expanded the size of the estate and now make even more chardonnay and pinot noir, with new offerings including cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, and some single barrel cabernet franc and merlot wines are in the mix too.
Atkins and Davies will be showing their wines as part of the Yarra Valley’s intimate wine weekend -the Shortest Lunch on 21–22 June 2025.
Get ready to acquaint with 13 family-run wineries over two days of cool-climate wine tasting fireside. There’s be live music, hearty winter feasting and live music – all in the name of celebrating the Winter Solstice.
The Shortest Lunch is a chance to meet the makers behind the cellar doors and discover wines that rarely leave them.
Guests can taste up to 100 handcrafted wines, including exclusive aged and new-release drops, with food menus that span wood-fired flatbreads, slow-cooked ragu, vegan Mediterranean fare, and spiced apple desserts — all priced under $25.
It’s a family- and dog-friendly event, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options at every stop. Oh, and did we mention the views.
Tickets start at just $35 for a full weekend pass (including a souvenir tasting glass), with Wine & Dine ($70) and VIP packages ($100).
Brad Atkins spoke to The Write Drop for our At the Bar series.
MY CITY
Steels Creek, Yarra Valley – a slice of heaven nestled in Victoria’s wine country. Surrounded by vineyards, gum trees, and panoramic views, it’s where time slows down and the wine flows freely. It’s the kind of place that lets you breathe deeply and savour the simple things – great food, great company, and even better wine.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
Pasta at a cosy Austrian restaurant in Wiesbaden, Germany. Total surprise, completely unforgettable. The kind of rich, comforting dish that hits all the right notes and still lives rent-free in my head. A reminder that sometimes the best meals are the ones you never see coming.
FAVOURITE BAR
Zebra Bar in Chicago. Moody lighting, serious cocktails, and just enough edge to keep it interesting. It’s got that perfect mix of cool and chaos – and I love it.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES ME
A Cosmopolitan – classic, confident, a little glam, and always up for good conversation.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
The oxygen bar at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Sounds over the top, but 15 minutes of peppermint-scented oxygen and I’m practically reborn.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Palmer & Co in Sydney. It’s like stepping back in time – timeless charm, impeccable drinks, and an atmosphere that makes every cocktail feel like an occasion.
OVERSEAS BAR
Cliff Bell’s, Detroit – an Art Deco jazz bar with velvet booths, live music that wraps around you, and cocktails that hit the mark. It’s moody, timeless, and unforgettable – a true gem with soul.
FAVOURITE WINE
A well-made Chardonnay. Elegant, textured, and endlessly versatile – there’s a reason it’s always in my glass.
FAVOURITE WINERY
Poderi Le Ripi in Tuscany. Their commitment to biodynamics, soulful winemaking, and deep respect for the land comes through in every bottle. Visiting them was an experience in passion and patience.
NEXT DESTINATION
Japan and Thailand – chasing both calm and chaos. From Tokyo’s buzz to the beaches of Koh Samui, I’m all in for the serenity, the street food, and the stories waiting to be made.
https://www.yarravalleysmallerwineries.com.au/pages/shortest-lunch
