Discussion from 6:00PM
Wine Tasting Reception from 7:00PM

“There are plenty of options out there when looking for a bottle of wine to drink. We think you should choose Australian.”

Those are the opening lines in the Introduction to the book How to Drink Australian, and Asia Society is pleased to present master sommeliers and authors Jane Lopes and Jonathan Ross, for an evening of wine education followed by tastings. In their book, they aim to show the world why Australia is one of the most exciting wine-producing countries in the world right now. A work of art itself, the book is encyclopedic and brings perspectives of the Australian wine regions with insights on the culture, nuances, and happenings from the important players themselves. The volume is packed with information on wineries, beautifully illustrated visuals and maps, and importantly an Acknowledgement of Country, which pays respect to the traditional custodians of the wine regions — the Aboriginal Australians. Few industries involve the long-term care of land like the wine industry, and there are huge lessons to be learned from how Indigenous communities cared for their land.

Join us for an exclusive preview of the book’s content with its lead authors. Joining them on stage is Josh Pugh — also known as America Josh — a champion of Australians in New York and the U.S., and a leader in promoting Australia, its culture, and its brands.

The book How to Drink Australian: An Essential Modern Wine Book will be available for purchase that evening, and you’ll also have the opportunity to sample some exquisite Australian wines the authors are excited to introduce to New York.

This program is part of Asia Society’s Season of Australia series of programming, and presented in conjunction with Maḏayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Painting from Yirrkala, on view at Asia Society Museum, September 17, 2024 - January 5, 2025.

Speakers

Jane Lopes is co-Founder of LEGEND Australian Wine Imports and co-author of How to Drink Australian. She graduated with a degree in Renaissance Literature from the University of Chicago, but soon found her passion in the wine industry. Throughout her career, she has worked at many prestigious restaurants and bars, such as The Violet Hour (Chicago), The Catbird Seat (Nashville), Eleven Madison Park (New York) and Attica (Melbourne). In 2018, she passed the Master Sommelier exam, becoming one of only 35 women in the world to do so. Her first book, an educational and personal guide to the world of wine called Vignette, was published in September of 2019.

Jonathan Ross is co-Founder of LEGEND Australian Wine Imports and co-author of How to Drink Australian. He studied sports medicine and architecture before realizing his love for wine and the hospitality industry. He was a member of the award-winning wine team at Eleven Madison Park starting in 2012, and held the title of Head Sommelier from 2015. After moving to Australia, he took on the role of Beverage Director for the premium restaurants of the world-renowned Rockpool Group. In 2017, he passed the prestigious Master Sommelier exam. He makes his own wine in Australia under a label called Micro Wines, which is sold in Australia and the United States.

Josh Pugh (moderator) is the Founder and CEO of (and better known as) America Josh. America Josh is one of the leading community organizations for Australians and expats moving to the United States providing online resources and assistance—as well as a wealth of community activations and partnerships. He is also the President of Variety—the Children’s Charity of New York, helping sick, disadvantaged, and underprivileged kids in the tri-state area, Secretary at The Mateship Foundation helping homeless individuals and families in Los Angeles, and Founder and CEO of Fortnight Digital, a digital marketing and website agency based in New York.