Lisa McGuigan’s Rebirth: New Wines, New Era, and a Cellar Door Like No Other
Lisa McGuigan has never been one to follow the pack. Now, she’s stepping into what she calls her Renaissance period. A bold new direction in both winemaking and design, with the launch of her most out-there wine range yet and the opening of her striking cellar door, VAMP Wine Rooms, in her hometown of Pokolbin.
“It’s my most out-there range yet, “I’ve spent the last two years in Pokolbin, where I created VAMP. It has been a time of discovery, which allowed me to pursue a totally new era in my winemaking.”
Renaissance, she explains, is Latin for rebirth. “The Renaissance period followed the Black Death and saw the revolution of life, art and science. That energy inspired me to create something new, wines I wouldn’t have touched before because of their complexity and the attention they demand in the winery. This is my Renaissance, my reset, and I hope you come with me.”
This passion for reinvention is evident the moment you walk into VAMP Wine Rooms by Lisa McGuigan, her ultra-modern cellar door located on Broke Road, right in the heart of Pokolbin. Design-driven and unapologetically bold, the space pulses with personality and polish, mirroring Lisa herself.
OK, so she’s not your typical country girl. Think more Joan Jett than Olivia Newton-John. Flashy, cheeky, colourful and charming, Lisa’s style is uniquely hers. While she proudly carries the winemaking legacy of her parents, Hunter Valley legends Brian and Fay McGuigan, she is blazing her own trail with unmistakable flair.
Designed by Dominic Warland of EJE Architecture and built by Peter Petherbridge from PDA Building, the VAMP Wine Rooms are a visual spectacle. Its centrepieces, a gothic-inspired lighting sculpture by Melbourne artist Christopher Boots and a towering black-and-white mural by illustrator Brad Nonnenmacher, capture Lisa’s love of drama and theatricality. Helmets, swords and chain-mail curtains give the space a “Roman gladiator meets dark gothic novel” energy, perfect for a holiday selfie, or a luxurious wine tasting.
The inspiration? Lisa reveals it began with an unsuccessful auction bid for Russell Crowe’s breastplate from Gladiator. That lost item sparked the creation of wines Maximus and Claudius, stars of her Platinum range, and helped shape the VAMP aesthetic. “Everything here is what I see and feel when I taste my wine,” she says. “It’s all about feeding the brand.”
And Lisa’s brand has always been more than wine, it’s a full experience. From custom-designed imported bottles to hand-labelled metallic packaging, her wines are as much visual art as they are sensory pleasure. Varietals like Austrian Grüner Veltliner from her family’s vineyard and vegan Chardonnays fined with potato instead of egg whites showcase her fearless innovation and commitment to creativity.
At heart, Lisa is a designer and a hospitality maven. Though she once dreamed of studying visual arts, her father steered her toward hotel management in Europe. That led to a decade-long hospitality career, including a tenure at Sydney’s Renaissance Hotel where she helmed the food, beverage and marketing departments. That training is now a core part of the VAMP experience.
Expect personalised service, no crowds, and indulgent touches like freshly shucked Appellation Oysters on tap. Guests can perch on her shiny Philippe Starck chairs with a glass of French Champagne or settle into a private tasting room for a curated flight. Alongside complimentary and premium tastings from her Platinum and Velvet ranges, Lisa plans to introduce guided Pinot Noir flights featuring wines from around the globe.
While her original Silver and Blac ranges will continue to be available through Ben Ean and Hermitage Road Cellars, the Velvet range, alongside Renaissance, will be exclusive to VAMP Wine Rooms.
Lisa McGuigan’s latest chapter is one of bold rebirth. Whether through revolutionary new wines or her design-rich cellar door, she continues to redefine what a Hunter Valley wine experience can be.
Want more Lisa?
Read the feature interview with her in Newcastle Weekly, where she talks inspiration, evolution, and making bold moves in wine.
words & PHOTOGRAPHY | sally EVANS
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