Images Grünthal Brew
The traditional milestone celebration formula is beginning to shift.
Across birthdays, weddings and even memorials, people are putting their own personality into the occasion, creating gatherings that feel more like an extension of how they would actually choose to spend time together.
It’s a change hospitality venues are beginning to adapt to, particularly outside the city, where breweries, wineries and restaurants can offer the space. Grünthal Brew in Verdun is one example. Owner Sheree Sullivan says it’s not unusual for several completely different milestones to be unfolding across the venue at the same time.
“I’ve often called us the party venue,” Sheree said.
“We’re now getting families that come to Grünthal to celebrate any family moment.”
On any given day, a 50th wedding anniversary, a hen’s party and a corporate function might all be taking place under the same roof, each with a completely different feel. Planning an event can come with its fair share of headaches, but for Sheree, much of the appeal is helping people shape an occasion entirely around what they actually want.
“I get a sense of satisfaction because I can see it ticks a lot of the community’s boxes … a place to come and connect, in a big enough venue to do that.”
Over the past four years, the Adelaide Hills venue has gradually expanded the kinds of gatherings it can host, now welcoming events including everything birthdays, weddings, sporting club presentations, corporate events and family gatherings to name a few. It sits in that perfect sweet spot between the local pub and fancy winery.
And that flexibility extends well beyond the usual celebrations.
An independent high school will soon hold its formal there, swapping the traditional ballroom feel for an evening in the Adelaide Hills. At the other end of life’s milestones, families are also choosing the venue for memorials and celebrations of life.
A traditional funeral and reception will always feel right for some. For others, the person being remembered may have been happiest outside, surrounded by family or enjoying a favourite glass of wine.
Families can gather in the Greenhouse for the entire afternoon. There might be photographs scattered around the room, favourite songs playing, treasured belongings on a memory table or even the family dog wandering among familiar faces. Grünthal has also hosted living wakes, where the person being celebrated has spent time with family and friends and heard the stories that are so often shared only after someone has died.
And the physical layout plays a big part in making that variety possible.
The Greenhouse, Great Hall, Terrace and Lawns can operate independently, allowing several groups to use the property at once without feeling as though they are attending the same event.
“Because of the way our rooms are laid out, we can easily run six functions at once,” Sheree said.
The Greenhouse, which overlooks the lawns and surrounding property, is particularly popular through winter, while the outdoor areas tend to take over in the warmer months.
For functions of around 80 guests or fewer, private spaces can be used while the rest of the venue remains open, while larger events can spread across more of the property.
“We do the most diverse range of things.”
And perhaps that is where celebrations are heading.
Not necessarily bigger or more elaborate, but more personal, with fewer rules around what a birthday, wedding, work function or farewell is supposed to look like.
Grünthal Brew
Where: 827 Mount Barker Rd, Verdun SA 5245
For more information head to their website.
