The Prosecco Queen - Melissa Brauer

Melissa Brauer, aka The Prosecco Queen, has been extolling the virtues of Prosecco, the world’s most popular, yet most widely misunderstood sparkling wine, for many years. Her love affair with Prosecco began 15 years ago during a trip to Italy, and her subsequent discovery of Prosecco being made in the King Valley, in north east Victoria, saw her meet (and drink Prosecco) with as many local winemakers as possible. In 2016 she visited the Italian Prosecco Hills during vintage, and met with 20 different winemakers, spending time in the vineyards, learning about production techniques, fermentation times and the myriad of variations that lead to each style of Prosecco.

As well as completing formal study with the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), Melissa has turned her passion for consumption into a business spanning import, distribution, retail, wine education and events. Before COVID Melissa was travelling to Italy up to twice a year. The success of her range of Prosecco led to an increase in her portfolio, to include wine from all over the Veneto, including Soave, Pinot Grigio, Rosato, Valpolicella, and Amarone, as well as some delicious Tuscan wines. She also hosted food and wine tours to Italy, pre-Covid.

Melissa regularly hosts private, public and corporate Prosecco Masterclasses, where the emphasis is on a fun, interactive informal imparting of knowledge, served up with a dose of humour.

Melissa also owns and runs Australia’s first mobile Prosecco and Spritz bar, ‘Van Di Vino’ which is a popular sight at private and corporate events and festivals all over Melbourne. In 2017 Melissa created Australia’s first ever Prosecco Festival, with over 50 different Proseccos available for tasting, together with oysters, caviar, pizza, cheese and salami. The festival is now an annual event attracting visitors from all over Victoria.

During Covid Melissa started hosting online wine masterclasses and ‘meet the winemaker’ events (chatting with winemakers in Italy as well as all over Australia). She also developed a hugely popular wine quiz with blind tastings.

For enquiries and bookings:

Phone 0402914201

Email Melissa@reginavino.com.au

Websites www.theproseccoqueen.com.au

Carol O'Halloran