Wine lovers Paul Tardivel and Michael Woodworth, have bought the cells in D- Division of the former Pentridge prison, turned them into wine cellars, Pentridge Cellars, and are offering a limited release to those keen on storing their best drops in a unique and historical way.
Paul gives us some background on the inspiration and logistics behind this project.
Tell us a bit about the concept behind Pentridge Cellars and what inspired you to take this bold move to buy Pentridge?
Despite its dark history, housing infamous Australian criminals such as Squizzy Taylor, Mark ‘Chopper’ Read and Christopher Flannery – we wanted to bring new life to the cells in D-Division. The building itself is magnificent and unique and appears to have been built perfectly for this purpose – storing wine. Being self-confessed wine enthusiasts, Michael and I wanted to see this happen.
Despite its dark history, housing infamous Australian criminals such as Squizzy Taylor, Mark ‘Chopper’ Read and Christopher Flannery – we wanted to bring new life to the cells in D-Division. The building itself is magnificent and unique and appears to have been built perfectly for this purpose – storing wine. Being self-confessed wine enthusiasts, Michael and I wanted to see this happen.
What are the most important wine cellaring considerations?
The temperature. To ensure wine maintains its condition over a long period of time, it requires a constant maintenance of temperature. The cellars are made of about500mm-thick bluestone walls, which in itself keeps the wine at a cool and stable temperature. We have also installed a state-of-the-art climate-control unit to ensure absolute year-round stable temperature and humidity. This ensures perfect cellaring condition!
The temperature. To ensure wine maintains its condition over a long period of time, it requires a constant maintenance of temperature. The cellars are made of about500mm-thick bluestone walls, which in itself keeps the wine at a cool and stable temperature. We have also installed a state-of-the-art climate-control unit to ensure absolute year-round stable temperature and humidity. This ensures perfect cellaring condition!
Why is Pentridge Cellars different than other wine storage options?
There’s the unique historical background and the opportunity to house your wine in a heritage-listed building. Also, unlike most off-site storage, you have 24-hour access to your wine. With the development continuing throughout the Pentridge precinct for the next couple of years, it won’t be long before owners can drop by their cellar, pick up a bottle of their favourite wine, and take it along to one of Pentridge’s restaurant to have with dinner!
There’s the unique historical background and the opportunity to house your wine in a heritage-listed building. Also, unlike most off-site storage, you have 24-hour access to your wine. With the development continuing throughout the Pentridge precinct for the next couple of years, it won’t be long before owners can drop by their cellar, pick up a bottle of their favourite wine, and take it along to one of Pentridge’s restaurant to have with dinner!
What is the most cellared wine in your own wine collection?
My personal collection is favoured by red wine from the Coonawarra, Yarra Valley, Bordeaux and white wines from the Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula, Loire and Burgundy.
My personal collection is favoured by red wine from the Coonawarra, Yarra Valley, Bordeaux and white wines from the Adelaide Hills, Mornington Peninsula, Loire and Burgundy.
What’s the most obscure thing you know about wine that not many people know about?
There are lots of obscure things to know about wine! I like that you can keep red wine in the fridge after it’s been opened, which will keep it good for up to a week. You can drink it slightly chilled or leave it out for half an hour or so before drinking, but it maintains its qualities really well.
You can find out more about Pentridge Cellars and the unique wine storing opportunities at https://www.pentridgecellars.com/
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