[WA] Warriors of Wine – Fundraising Long Lunch – PERTH

Warriors of Wine is coming to Perth on Saturday 4 July for a unique and interactive dining experience, bringing together three top Perth sommeliers in a friendly yet competitive challenge.

We are delighted to announce this year’s competitors:

• Alexander King (Gibney)
• Ed Farrelly (Vincent Wine)
• Lonnye De Antoni (Balthazar)

Following Champagne Pol Roger served on arrival, enjoy a three-course lunch, during which each ‘warrior’ will carefully select and present a wine to pair with each dish. At the end of each course, guests will rank the wine pairings using a Brownlow-style voting system:

• 3 tokens for their favourite pairing
• 2 tokens for their second choice
• 1 token for their third choice

The Sommeliers Australia committee will count the tokens at the end of each round and announce the course winner. The sommelier with the most votes overall will be crowned Warrior of Wine Perth 2026.

Beyond the competition, this event is a critical fundraiser for Sommeliers Australia, supporting its ongoing work in the industry. The afternoon will also feature an auction and raffle, with the chance to take home exceptional wine-related goodies and hospitality experiences.

Join us at Bar Amelie for an afternoon of celebrating the craft of the Sommelier, outstanding food and wine, and spirited competition – all for a great cause.

Further information:

Timing: Doors will open from 12pm for aperitifs, with lunch starting at 12.30pm which will conclude around 4pm.

Seating: Seating will be on shared tables. Upon booking, you can request who you would like to be seated with.

Menu: A set three-course menu, plus cheese course, provided by Calendar Cheese, paired with fortified wines provided by Winemakers of Rutherglen. Please ensure dietary requirements are made known at the time of booking.

More about this year’s Perth Warriors:

Alexander King is a Perth-based sommelier who has spent nearly a decade working along the coast with Kailis Hospitality Group. Mentored by Aaron Commins and Nina Throsby, he currently oversees the wine programs at Gibney, The Shorehouse, and Magic Apple. With an undergraduate science degree and the Introductory Sommelier qualification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, Alex brings an analytical yet deeply passionate approach to wine and hospitality. A driven sommelier with a genuine appreciation for wines from across the globe, he is never one to turn down a well-poured glass of Champagne.

Ed Farrelly hails from Cirencester in the Cotswolds, UK, he left teaching to pursue a career in wine and relocated to Western Australia in mid-2023, joining Vincent shortly after. He quickly progressed to overseeing wine purchasing and curating the list, and now also manages the venue. With a background rooted in European wines—particularly French, shaped during his time at a respected Cotswolds wine store—his approach reflects Vincent’s strong continental focus. Now 30, he has spent over a decade choosing wine over beer and building a life around it, with travel often guided by vineyards, while more recently developing a strong appreciation for Australian, and especially Western Australian, wines.

Lonnye De Antoni originally from Verona, Lonnye discovered her passion for hospitality while studying at hospitality school. After graduating, she gained valuable experience working across four-star hotels throughout Italy and in England before relocating to Australia in 2014, where she has continued to grow her career. Driven by a strong passion for food, wine, and genuine service, she has worked in well-regarded venues such as Wildflower and managed a boutique wine bar in Mount Hawthorn. Currently part of the sommelier team at Balthazar, Lonnye is completing her WSET Level 3 in Wine and is always eager to deepen her knowledge and share her enthusiasm with others.