Host intimate, memorable gatherings: private events and wine tastings at Robertson Quay

Looking for a cosy neighbourhood spot that feels like your living room, just with better wine and bigger cheese boards? Welcome to Barely Aged at Robertson Quay. We are your small-but-mighty wine lounge and retail nook, ready for birthdays, team socials, client mixers and tasting nights for up to 40 guests.

Think warm lighting, friendly faces, and over 30 wines by the glass that change weekly. Add custom cheese and charcuterie boards, and you have an easy, delicious way to bring people together. Want to host on-site? Great. Need platters for the office or home? We prep for pickup or delivery, usually within 24 hours. Simple.

What our private events feel like

Our space is intimate. You chat, you sip, you graze. No stiff packages or boring scripts, just a cosy room built for connection. We set up seating or standing layouts depending on your vibe, and our team guides the flow so you can relax.

• Wines by the glass, rotating weekly, poured until they are gone.

• Custom boards built to taste, with clear premium add-on options that we run through with you.

• Friendly, knowledgeable staff who make wine feel fun, not fussy.

Sample formats that work beautifully

Guided wine tasting

• Format: A sit-down or semi-seated hour led by our team. We run through the 5 S’s of tasting (See, Swirl, Smell, Sip, Savour), start with a palate warm-up, and build from light to richer.

• Line-up idea: Sparkling to wake the senses, a bright white, a textured white, a light red, a fuller red.

• Great for: Team events and client nights where you want learning plus laughter.

Mingle-style social

• Format: Standing event with a grazing table and high tables so people can wander, chat, and top up their glasses.

• Flow: We recommend a welcome pour at the door, plus a steady rotation of nibbles from a central grazing table or several satellite platters.

• Great for: Birthdays, casual team drinks, Friday socials.

Mini masterclass

• Format: A short, punchy session focused on one theme, like Old World vs New World. We taste side by side, compare styles and talk terroir in friendly language.

• Pairing idea: Classic Old World Pinot Noir against a juicy New World Pinot Noir, or Sauvignon Blanc from France vs New Zealand.

• Great for: Groups who love a bit of nerdy fun without a full seminar.

If you want to preview the vibe, peek at our Robertson Quay wine bar and wine by the glass experience. Bring your curiosity, we will bring the pours.

Boards, platters and premium add-ons

Our boards are built to balance. Roughly half cheese, a quarter charcuterie, a quarter accompaniments. Mix of soft and hard cheeses, with crackers, bread, preserves and pickles. You choose the mood, we build the board.

Premium add-ons are clearly flagged, and we confirm everything when you order. Want Truffle Brie? A hit of Gorgonzola? Extra prosciutto or rillette? Just say the word. Planning off-site? Order a cheese board or grazing platter for delivery or pickup, usually ready in 24 hours. Easy for the office, home, or that surprise birthday you sort of forgot about.

How much cheese to order

As a guide, plan about 60 to 90 grams of cheese per person for grazing. If cheese is the star and there is less other food, go 90 to 120 grams.

• For 20 guests: 1.2 kg to 1.8 kg for light grazing. Up to 2.4 kg if cheese is the main act.

• Include a mix: soft Brie or Truffle Brie, a hard crowd-pleaser like Gouda, a nutty alpine style like Gruyere, and one blue if your group enjoys it.

We can portion it for you and label everything, so hosting is just unwrap, place, and enjoy.

Wine ideas that always land

Start lively, end comfy. That is our rule of thumb. A touch of bubbles to kick off, crisp whites to refresh, then reds for warmth and depth as the evening settles.

• Sparkling to begin: an easy lift for any room.

• Bright whites: Sauvignon Blanc for picnicky freshness, or something textural if your guests are curious.

• Light reds: Pinot Noir is a friendly bridge between white lovers and red fans.

• Fuller reds: Cabernet Sauvignon for the steak-and-stories crew.

Want help picking bottles for home or the office? Browse our wine shop to buy wine for delivery, with free delivery above $200 advertised on site.

Seating, standing and simple AV

Our space is flexible. Here is what usually works:

• 12 to 20 guests: mixed seating with a central grazing board, or a guided tasting around the bar counter.

• 20 to 30 guests: high tables with a main grazing table; it keeps movement easy.

• 30 to 40 guests: mostly standing with several satellite boards so queues do not form.

Light AV needs are welcome. We can accommodate a simple speaker connection and a compact projector setup. If you need more, let us know with your inquiry and we will suggest what fits the room.

Sample timelines you can copy

Guided tasting, 90 minutes

• 0:00 Welcome pour, palate warm-up with crackers.

• 0:10 5 S’s intro, first two wines.

• 0:35 Cheese and charcuterie boards land.

• 0:45 Third and fourth wines with pairings.

• 1:10 Final wine, Q&A, top-ups.

• 1:25 Wrap, free mingle.

Mingle social, 2 hours

• 0:00 Sparkling welcome.

• 0:10 Grazing table opens.

• 0:30 Rotating wines by the glass, light announcements.

• 1:15 Top up boards.

• 1:50 Sweet finish, last pours.

Mini masterclass, 45 minutes

• 0:00 Welcome sip.

• 0:05 Theme intro, compare two wines.

• 0:20 Add a third wine, quick pairing notes.

• 0:35 Key takeaways, casual mingle.

Off-site? We pack the party

Hosting at home or the office? Order a charcuterie and cheese board or a party platter for pickup or delivery. We label cheeses, pack toppers, and include crackers so setup takes minutes. Free delivery for wine orders above $200 is advertised on site, so it is easy to stock the bar too.

Quick inquiry checklist

Send us these details so we can lock things in fast:

• Date and time window.

• Headcount; seated, standing, or mixed.

• Event format: guided tasting, mingle social, or mini masterclass.

• Budget range; on-site or off-site.

• Dietary notes: vegetarian, pregnancy-safe cheeses, pork-free, nut-free, etc.

• Any AV notes or speeches planned.

Ping us early if you want specific bottles or premium cheeses, and we will set them aside.

Wine tasting etiquette and simple tips

Tasting is friendly here. A few basics help everyone have a good time.

• Do you eat during a wine tasting? Yes, light bites help reset your palate. Crackers and fresh bread are perfect. Cheese and charcuterie add fun pairings, but keep portions small between sips.

• What is the etiquette? Avoid heavy perfume or aftershave. Hold the glass by the stem. Sip, do not shoot. Spit buckets are normal if you want to stay fresh. Ask questions, that is half the fun.

• Order of tasting: Lighter to fuller, dry to sweet. Bubbles, then whites, then reds.

If you want to dive deeper into pairing ideas, check our friendly guide to wine and cheese pairings.

FAQ

• What is meant by private dining? A booked, hosted experience for your group, with space, service and menu tailored to you. At Barely Aged, that means our cosy venue set for your event, wines by the glass or bottles, and personalised boards with clear premium add-ons if you want them.

• How do you describe an event space? Ours is an intimate neighbourhood wine lounge that fits up to 40 guests comfortably, with flexible standing and seating layouts, warm lighting, and an easy flow for tastings, graze-and-mingle nights, and small celebrations.

• How much cheese do I need for 20 guests? Plan 1.2 kg to 1.8 kg for light grazing, or up to 2.4 kg if cheese is the main food. We can portion and label everything for smooth hosting.

• Do you eat during a wine tasting? Yes. Light snacks like crackers and small cheese bites are ideal between sips to cleanse your palate.

• What is the etiquette for wine tasting? Go light on perfume, hold the glass by the stem, taste from light to fuller wines, sip and savour, and feel free to spit if you want to stay sharp.

Ready to plan?

Tell us your date, headcount, and format, and we will map out the rest. Whether you host at our Robertson Quay spot or pick up a beautifully packed platter, we will keep it cosy, tasty, and fuss-free. Come by, ask what is pouring today, and let us plan something your guests will still be talking about next week. Cheers!