About Us
Pique Nique - everything I wanted to know when I started to learn about wine
Emma: I started Pique Nique as a way to help people get comfortable with wine appreciation and to introduce them to the Canberra wine region, which is a lot bigger than many people realise!
I noticed a gap in the market a few years ago. In my day job, I’d do tastings and would get into chats with people who were curious about wine but didn’t feel confident with wine, beyond saying what they liked and what they didn’t like.
I am a firm believer that wine should be fun, not intimidating, and I really want to encourage people to explore wine in a relaxed environment.
So I designed an introductory wine appreciation course - it's got everything I wanted to know when I started to learn and explore the world of wine.
The class takes you through the fundamentals of wine, how to taste wine, food and wine pairing, etc - and there are no silly questions! Throughout the class, I use Canberra wines as examples, so it provides an introduction to the region and our wine styles too.
Now we also offer private tastings for groups, collaborate with others in the wine industry and around Canberra, and generally just have a whole bunch of fun!
Our Philosophy:
Wine is meant to be fun. Not snobby, not stuffy, not scary.
You don’t need to know heaps about wine to know whether you like it or not. At the same time, learning something new about wine can help you appreciate it even more.
It’s always quality over quantity. Drink less, but more of the good stuff, and enjoy it with food and friends and fun times.
We are proud supporters of the Canberra wine region. We produce seriously amazing wines here and we love seeking out new producers and established gems. The region will only continue to grow in size and reputation. Drink local!
Emma Shaw
One of my favourite things to do is pack a picnic, go to a beautiful location, and share some food and wine with friends.
I’m a fourth year wine science student – I am studying to be a winemaker. I work at a local winery, Collector Wines, and am a huge supporter of the Canberra wine district and the quality of wines that are produced in this region. In between raising two kids with my husband and volunteering where I can, I spend any spare time with friends and/or eating gooey French cheeses.
I don’t know everything about wine, but I think that’s half the fun of the world of wine – finding out more and more and reaching those little lightbulb moments. Hopefully the journey will never end.
Bill Crowe
I'm passionate about people learning, having fun and appreciating wine.
I've been producing award winning wines for nearly 20 years, working for ten years in Napa Valley, California before moving to the Canberra District to produce wines for my wife's family vineyard. I created numerous award winning wines and received high scores from James Halliday and other wine writers before deciding to branch out and start our own label Crowe Wines.
In between managing Crowe Wines and a busy young family, I'll be hosting private tastings with Pique Nique, sharing insights from my winemaking journey to help you develop your knowledge and passion for Canberra wines.