Brien Cole

Brien Cole has been described as, “a unique voice in Australian writing,” Tom Thompson, author and publisher ETT Imprint and “an imaginative writer of a high order,” Rodney Hall, novelist.

In the great tradition of gaining life experience before embarking on the quest to write fiction. Brien Cole began working for Mildara Wines, Mildura in 1978 as a vineyard hand. Vineyard hand became “cellar rat” for Brown Brothers Milawa after a first stint in Languedoc, France. In 1989 he returned to the Mornington Peninsula to become Vineyard Manager for Stonier Wines. Followed by a second stint in Languedoc before returning to Australia to become Winemaker (and general everything) for Kings Creek Winery. He has been making wine on the Mornington Peninsula since 1997.

Brien’s first trip to France in 1982 saw him helping out on the vineyards of San Guiraud, Languedoc, France. In 1991 in Narbonne, France and in 2010 in Saint Emillion, Bordeaux France. His Latest book “The Lost Wines Degustation Society, Book One, A Postcard from Madeira” has much to say about these travels.

In his quest to write fiction Brien published his first short story in Tabloid Story in 1975. His first collection of short stories “Morning Parrot Trees” in 1979 which was republished in 2018 as “Still Life with Allen Keys.” Two novels more novels “Tiger-Wolf” in 2019 and “Solero” 2020 as well as a kids book “The Adventures of Top Hat” in 2022.

The “Lost Wine Degustation Society” is a wine book. It is also about people, their lives in the wine industry and outside it. Marriages, families, some of it magic, some of it tragic. Spanning the years from the early 1980’s through to the present it reflects an industry in flux. Family wineries being brought out by the corporate players. New wine regions, dreams and hopes some of which manifest some of which don’t. It is a novel about conversations about wine, tasting wine, matching wine with food and lamenting wines lost to time. Set in regional Victoria, Languedoc, Bordeaux, Tuscany, anywhere and everywhere where wine in grown and drunk and loved. Sometimes serious, sometimes poignant and sometimes funny, just like the folks who inhabit it.

“The message from Madiera was written in sparkling gold “Texta.”

“When all is lost

way out at sea

reach for the Madeira”

It was signed; Georgia Best (attorney at law.)

And addressed to; Mathew@Flinders, Fine Wine Merchants, Fairhaven, Victoria

It was posted from Funchal, Madiera.

And so starts the book, “The lost Wines Degustation Society.” A book about wine and the world of wine, written by a winemaker. A book about postcards, sent to Mathew & Flinders Fine Wine Merchants Fairhaven and displayed on a postcard wall directly above and corresponding to the wines racked below. A book about the customers, staff, family and friends of the shop. Wine folk all and all with tales to tell. Tales of places sun drenched in wine, Beach side cafe’s and the Languedoc hills. It is a story about love, all kinds of love and a story about Lost, all sorts of lost. It is a story about belonging, in this country, in this town, and in the “Lost Wines Degustation Society.

The Lost Wines Degustation Society is available at;

Farrell’s Bookshop, Mornington.

The Book Barn, Rosebud.

Stoneman’s Books, Castlemaine.

or online at: Amazon, Booktopia, and thenile.