We’ve been inspired by the first date of one of the country’s favourite couples, Ricky and Rianna Ponting, who were kind enough to let us know how their first, tentative, romantic steps took place. Here’s how the story evolved.
The Setting: An iconic Melbourne restaurant. Rianna was visiting the fair city with her family for the first time, it being her grandfather’s dream to attend a Boxing Day Cricket test match with the family. Low and behold, who should be sitting nearby but the Mowbray Boy himself, Ricky Ponting. This was too good for Rianna’s brothers to ignore. To Rianna’s embarrassment, her brother went up for a photo and an autograph. When Rianna came to drag her brother back to their table, you can bet Ricky forgot where he was for a moment. Immediately smitten, he asked for her number.
The next night found them on their first date at the Waterfront at Crown. Like any young man on a first date, Ricky aimed to impress. Rianna mentioned she liked Chardonnay - there’s an opening! On the advice of the sommelier, Ricky ordered a Margaret River Chardonnay, despite not knowing what it was. Turns out it was one of the country’s greats, Leeuwin Estate Art Series, and together, over this icon, their love of wine, and of each other, began to burgeon.
From here on their journey through the world of fine wine, and through life, would be together. In our ‘Date Night’ case, we’ve tried to capture those little experiences that make up the occasions when new lovers meet. A little fumbling, perhaps, a little nervous, but ultimately joyous, dare we say, ‘magical’ moments.