When two of South Australia’s most creative forces come together, you know something special is about to happen. On Thursday 23 October, Norwood’s Arkhé will host an exclusive collaboration with cult winery Ochota Barrels for a one-off dinner that celebrates great food, exceptional wine, and one of the state’s most influential winemakers.
“It actually started when our GM Cameron found a collection of old Ochota Barrels wines in The Stirling Hotel cellar,” says arkhé Head Chef Jake Kellie.
“They were bottles that Taras Ochota and family had made years ago — wines you just don’t see anywhere anymore because, let’s be honest, everyone who used to buy them, drank them straight away.”
Once the discovery was made, everything fell into place.
“We reached out to Reggie, who distributes Ochota Barrels, and he basically said, ‘You have to do a dinner with these wines.’ One thing led to another, and here we are.”
Jake says the night is as much about paying tribute as it is about celebrating creativity.
“Taras made a massive impact, not just here in South Australia but worldwide. His respect in the industry is huge,” he says.
“I only met him once, years ago, when I was cooking with Duncan from Africola at Bistro Dom. Taras came in for dinner with Maynard and the band Tool, and we cooked for them. That’s when I first met him. He left a real mark. He was so rock ‘n roll but also a gentle giant.”
Taras Ochota was known for his fearless, free-spirited approach to winemaking. A former punk-rock bassist turned vintner, he brought the same raw energy and authenticity to the cellar that he once took to the stage including the Big Day Out with band Kranktus.
Together with his wife Amber, he created Ochota Barrels in the Adelaide Hills in 2008, producing small-batch wines that became icons of natural winemaking in Australia. Each vintage carried a mix of instinct, imperfection and art. Wines that spoke of place and personality rather than polish.
Though Taras passed sadly away in 2020, his influence continues to shape a new generation of winemakers who admire his courage and creativity. Amber Ochota and the Ochota Barrels team have carried his legacy forward with grace and respect, staying true to the label’s spirit of honesty and experimentation. His wines remain a benchmark for what’s possible when passion meets intuition.
The Arkhé four-course menu has been built around rare vintages, including a 2013 Chardonnay, a 2016 Pinot Noir, and a 2016 Impeccable Disorder Grenache.
“Reggie helped us with the flavour profiles, and me and my head chef Andreas worked from there,” Jake explains.
“For the Chardonnay, we’re doing a buttery sauce with King George Whiting, light, delicate, and rich at the same time. For the Pinot, we’re using our house-made garums to build that deep umami flavour. The A Sense of Compassion Grenache is going alongside duck, which gives us a chance to play with those dark fruit and spice notes.”
There’s also a hint of the unexpected.
“We’re poaching fish, something we rarely do, using a Chinese steamer to generate gentle heat. We’re smoking the butter for the beurre blanc, then folding caviar through it for a luxurious texture to pair with the Chardonnay. It’s a bit bonkers, but in the best way.”
Jake hints at a few surprises for dessert too, keeping the experience layered and elegant.
“We wanted the night to have rhythm,” he says.
“Every course will move differently with the wine. Some are richer, some more restrained. It’s about balance.”
With just 60 seats available, the night promises to be intimate, expressive, and full of heart.
“It’s been a real team effort,” Jake adds.
“Our restaurant manager Stacey, GM Cam, and head chef Andreas, everyone’s been part of it. I think Taras would be proud to see his wines celebrated like this. And if he was seated at the table we would hang on his every word.”
Tickets are $230 per person, including four courses and wine pairings. It’s a one-off chance to taste bottles that may never be seen again.
Arkhé x Ochota Barrels Dinner
Where: Arkhé, 127 The Parade, Norwood
When: Thursday 23 October, 6.30pm
Cost: $230pp
For more information, click here.
More News
