Jessica Audas is one-half of ARC Wines, a label she started with her husband James, a former sommelier, in 2017. Together they focus on organic farming practices with little intervention, and began cultivating their own grapes under the mentorship of William Downie. By 2021 she was named a Young Guns of Wine Top 50 Finalist.
The pair relocated from Sydney to Gippsland, Victoria to launch ARC Wines and continue to source grapes from the Baw Baw Shire and West Gippsland.
Jessica is also the Head of Revel, the folks who bring us the annual events of MOULD [yep, that cheese festival] and PINOTPALOOZA [where wine is in abundance] in a trade show that’s more street party under the one roof with many artisan makers wowing with their goods.
MOULD X PINOTPALOOZA is on again in 2025, traveling around the country this month; arriving in Melbourne in July. It’s where Aussie producers show off their curds and whey while pouring the finest wines keeping the local industry abuzz with curiosity.
Jessica Audas spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
Melbourne, however Gippsland is home for me. Just 90 minutes east of Melbourne surrounded by rolling hills and access to some incredible produce – some of the country’s best beef and potatoes come from here. We also have access to many wineries and wonderful hospitality venues. While I do love my regional home of Gippsland, I do love to escape to Melbourne for its varied culture, nightlife and in particular the food and bar scene.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
This has got to be ‘Oops I dropped the lemon tart’ – from Massimo Bottura’s restaurant: Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy. The meal from start to finish was incredible, finishing with the crescendo of their signature dessert ‘Oops I dropped the lemon tart’ was not only a feast for the eyes this plate of art is also an ode to the most delicious lemon tart. While locally the ‘Chicken in Gascony butter’ at Warragul’s Messmates Restaurant has had my heart from day one of their opening.
FAVOURITE BAR
My favourite bar in Gippsland is the Sailors Grave Beer Bar at Trulli Meeniyan – it’s local to me and nothing beats a sour beer on tap with one of Trulli’s pizzas (I always order the Trulli) after a trip to Waratah Bay. Lemon meringue cream sour or the commocean gose are some of my favourites. I also have a soft spot in Sydney for PS40 and never order a specific cocktail. I am always happy to leave it to the team to curate a couple cocktails for me. Michael and his team nail it every time – and the best spot is sitting right up at the bar.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
I’m a whiskey lemonade – I am a mix of bold and refreshing—smooth like whiskey with a lively, citrus twist.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Double Cheeseburger and a coke – works every time. Hot tip: add three nuggets into the burger. Don’t come at me, try it,
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Bar Heather, Byron Bay. Ollie’s Cooking is some of my favourite in Australia, while the wine selection is second to none. I always start with an espresso martini, then I deep dive the wine list, usually finishing with Cidre Du Vulcain from Switzerland. The food side of things: I always go for the chef’s menu, leaving it up to the team, and request the following snacks; Betel leaf and raw shiitake with manchego.
OVERSEAS BAR
Ahiru Store in Shibuya Tokyo, an incredible hidden gem with great wines and the food is a winner as well.
FAVOURITE WINE
Phillippe Balivet Bugey Cerdon – a lightly sparkling Gamay rose from the Eastern part of France – have enjoyed a couple bottles of this lately. While I also can’t go past the wines of Gut Oggau from Austria, I love their Winifred Rose (starting to see a theme here, and I’m here for it, anything rose or a chilled red).
FAVOURITE WINERY
I recently visited Brash Higgins in McLaren Vale, South Australia. I have poured his wines for many years in hospitality venues and enjoyed his wines for a long time and this was my first visit to his winery and vineyard. We tasted through an incredible line up and some wines by barrel, his generosity of time and passion for the region and his wines are large at heart. He offers tastings by appointment only! Brad was so welcoming and his wines speak of a new wave of Mclaren Vale wines.
NEXT DESTINATION
Japan – always. Can’t wait to get back to Tokyo, dine at Bird Land Ginza (a favourite of mine) then off for two weeks of skiing. Although a summer holiday is on the cards, I’m thinking of Spain and Greece.
https://pinotpalooza.com.au/
