Crushed Grapes: Tales from the Vines with Lorraine Leheny of Bilancia

Chef Sean Connolly doesn’t do ordinary – so when he dreamt up a series of wine-soaked soirées, we knew they had to be poured from a different bottle altogether. Enter Crushed Grapes – a lineup of deliciously offbeat dinners starring winemakers who are as bold and brilliant as the drops they produce.

First up? The fabulous Bilancia – a boutique Hawke’s Bay gem creating wines that sing with balance, elegance and a little bit of edge. (Pronounced be-larn-cha) it’s an Italian word meaning balance, harmony and all things in sync – and it flows through every part of what they do.

Ahead of the first Crushed Grapes affair, we pulled up a chair and poured a glass with co-founder Lorraine Leheny to get a taste of what’s in store.

What most excited you about the Crushed Grapes wine dinner?
It is always great to sit down and dine with friends (both old and new) and chat over dinner. That’s what good dining is about.

What is the key to a good food and wine match?
It is always great to find that ‘perfect’ match for your wine; when you can’t decide if you should have another sip of wine or have another bite of food. That’s the goal.

What is the biggest difference you have found in the wine industry from when you founded Bilancia in 1997, compared to today?
Over the last almost 30 years (2025 was our 29^th vintage) we have seen winemakers, particularly smaller wineries, aim for single vineyard expressions of wines. Telling the stories of the sites – too often this part is forgotten. This is an important part of the whole story; it’s not all about winemaking!

What are they most looking forward to about the evening?
We enjoy engaging with interested people and love the opportunity to tell our story to both old and new fans!

What do you love about working with Chef Sean?
Telling tales of his travels through his food and doing it so very well. And, Mediterranean certainly fits in with the Italian name!

Esther x Bilancia is the first event in the Crushed Grapes dinner series, evenings bursting with delicious Med-inspired fare and unique wines. Book your ticket here.