BOTTLE TALK: JOSH FOY OF HELEN & JOEY ESTATE
On Friday 31 July, Cellar Door Manager Josh Foy will venture from the rolling vineyards of Yarra Valley’s Helen & Joey Estate to join us at Fitzroy’s Bistro X for a special evening dedicated to wine.
Helen & Joey Estate is the second producer featured in our Monthly Pour series, which celebrates a different winemaker and Victorian wine region each month throughout winter. Across four courses with matched wines, Josh will guide guests through the stories behind each vintage and share the philosophy that underpins the label: an innovative spirit and a “let’s give it a crack” attitude.
Here’s a look at what’s to come.
Tell us who you are and what you do?
I’ve been the Cellar Door Manager at Helen & Joey Estate for the past two years, while also looking after our local wholesale accounts. I have a little over twelve years’ experience in the wine industry, having worked across both the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley running cellar doors, sales and even dabbling in IT.
In three words, how would you capture the spirit of Helen & Joey Estate?
Passionate, expressive and innovative.
What is it about Yarra Valley wines that the rest of the world loves so much?
The Yarra Valley is an incredibly diverse wine region. While it’s now best known for producing exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, many people forget its history dates to the 1800s, with varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon playing a major role. The valley floor, where Helen & Joey Estate is located, continues to produce consistently outstanding Cabernet alongside an exciting range of emerging varieties.
What I love most about the Yarra Valley is that every vintage tells a story. Each year reflects the climate, the challenges and the successes of the growing season. Even over the past few cooler vintages, you can see subtle but distinct differences across wines from every corner of the valley.
If someone had 24 hours to spend in Yarra Valley, what should be at the top of their list?
We always recommend a visit to Coldstream Dairy for their incredible handmade cheese and unique herbal cheese blends. The Healesville Sanctuary is another must-see, and for those feeling a little more adventurous, either a bike ride along the Warburton Rail Trail or an early morning hot air balloon flight offers an unforgettable way to experience the valley.
You’re joining us later this month at Bistro X for a special collaboration. What are you most looking forward to?
Our chefs and I are incredibly excited to see what your team has paired with our wines. The Wayward range, in particular, takes a more natural, textural approach, so the food pairings can be wonderfully unexpected. I’m also looking forward to introducing wines I’ve grown to love over the years to a new audience. As a small, family-owned winery tucked away in the Yarra Valley, opportunities like this are always something special.
What pairing are you most excited for people to try on the night?
The Wayward Child Pinot Gris has always been one of my favourite food wines. Its texture and complexity make it incredibly versatile, and I’m especially excited to see it paired with the Crab Royale.
Is there anything exciting in the pipeline for Helen & Joey that you can give us a taste of?
Helen is always experimenting alongside our winemaker, Adam. Whether it’s revisiting styles that have fallen out of favour and bringing it back or trying something a little unexpected, like another sweet wine or even a sparkling red (coming soon), our philosophy has always been simple. Instead of saying, “there’s a reason no one does it,” we say, “let’s give it a crack.” So far, that mindset has served us pretty well, and we’ve got some exciting things on the horizon.
Tickets to The Monthly Pour with Helen & Joey Estate are limited.