After announcing his retirement from a decorated career in AFL, Jordan Lewis is taking his love of wine to the next level with a residency at Pentridge Cellars.
The former star footballer has been romanced by the wine industry and Sandi Sieger found out why, along with how post-football life is treating him.
What it is about wine that you love?
There are so many things. For a curious person like me it’s never ending. There are so many wines to discover all over the world. I love discovering a hard-to-find bottle at a good price, and also that wine also brings people together. Plus, I enjoy hearing people’s opinions on different wines.
Where did your passion for wine, and the wider industry, come from?
It was while I was on my honeymoon in Italy. My wife and I drove from Florence to Sienna and stopped at a vineyard along the way. That was a moment in my life where I knew I needed to know more about wine and the industry.
You’re the co-founder of Mornington Peninsula wine label, DML. Tell us a little about it.
Upon returning to Australia I wanted to explore the world of wine a little bit deeper.
So, I purchased a subscription to James Halliday magazine, and one comment grabbed me. It was in reference to a 2013 1er Pinot from Hoddles Creek, and I spent hours trying to find some with no luck. I decided to contact The D’Anna boys via Twitter, and a friendship was born.
As time has gone by and many bottles shared, we decided to make a wine together. We added Sam Middleton to the group because, plain and simple, he felt left out.
When the opportunity arose to purchase grapes from a highly regarded vineyard, we couldn’t refuse.
Why is it so important to store wine correctly?
Wine needs to be stored in a stable environment to allow it to progress. You want to protect your beloved drops against light and humidity and keep them at a steady temperature.
If your wine isn’t stored correctly, you risk disturbing its quality and flavour.
Tell us about the Pentridge Cellars space and what drew you to it.
As soon as you walk into Pentridge you experience its overwhelming beauty. That may sound bizarre to someone who hasn’t visited, but it really is an exceptional place.
Paul (co-owner of Pentridge Cellars) took me inside a cellar that was fitted out and I was completely captivated – I could have spent an hour just admiring it. Everything about it made sense, from the 24/7 access and security to the climate control technology. It was a perfect fit for my collection.
How is post-football life treating you? Are you still involved in the AFL world?
I have really enjoyed my time away from the day-to-day involvement in football. I was fortunate enough to have a bit of a break over the Christmas period and not once did I have to think about what I was putting into my body, what time I had to run the next day or where the closest gym was located so I could do my weights program.
In terms of being involved, I’ve joined Melbourne Demons (part-time) coaching staff for 2020. Part of my role will be focusing on improving the club’s kicking skills, as well as a development position mentoring the youngsters on our list.
Where are your favourite places in Australia to travel to, eat at and enjoy?
Having a young family means we are really restricted with how far we can travel (the kids are very active on flights). So, with that in mind, we holiday in Noosa every year and absolutely love it. When we’re up there we’ll always book Sails, Locale and Sum Yung Guys – they’re great spots.
What does being Australian mean to you?
I am incredibly blessed and proud to be Australian. This is a country of opportunity and hope. We are kind, caring and down-to-earth folk. Being Australian means respecting others, no matter their traditions or beliefs, and giving everyone a fair go.
