Sharing tables and serious bottles with Kiwi Cru, The Wine Society, and like-minded 'winos'
There's something magical about that moment when the perfect sip of wine meets the perfect bite of food. You know the one, where flavours collide and suddenly everything just makes sense. That's the feeling we've been chasing here at The Laundry, and honestly? We think we've cracked it.
More Than Just Your Local Corner
If you've wandered down Coldharbour Lane and stumbled upon our little corner of Brixton, you already know we're not your average neighbourhood restaurant (hello, Brixton brunch crowd). But what you might not know is that behind our wine dinners and tasting events is a story of passion, fire (literally), and a chef-sommelier who's done things a bit differently.
Let us introduce you to the heart and soul of our wine experiences: Melanie Brown.
#MeetMel: The Chef-Sommelier Who Does It All
Here's the thing about Mel—she's not just our founder and CEO. She's a proper, bonafide chef-sommelier, which is basically the culinary equivalent of being fluent in two languages and using them both at the same time to create something beautiful.
Her journey? Oh, it’s a good one. Picture this: working with legendary NZ celebrity chef Peter Gordon at The Providores. Big flavours, fearless simplicity, beautiful produce, and food that actually makes sense with a glass of something delicious (no fuss, all feeling).
A Love Letter to New Zealand Wine
And here’s the part you’ll taste in everything we do: Mel’s wine world is unapologetically NZ-led. Think electric Marlborough Sauvignon, lush Central Otago Pinot, textured Hawke’s Bay reds, and all those small-producer gems that make you want to ‘just have one more glass’ (famous last words).
Because we’re very much a ‘the more the merrier’ kind of wine family, we’re proud to say Kiwi Cru and The Wine Society are two of our key wine collaboration partners. Getting to work with like-minded winos who share our passion for delicious bottles, great stories, and zero snobbery honestly means the world to us here at The Laundry.
She likes to call herself a 'glorified campfire chef-sommelier,' and honestly? We think that's the most accurate description we've ever heard. There's something beautifully primal about her approach: fire, wine, good company, and flavours that hit you right in the feels.
Forget Stuffy: What Makes Our Wine Dinners Different
Now, we know what you're thinking. 'Wine dinner' can sometimes conjure up images of stuffy affairs with too many forks and people who say things like 'notes of elderflower with a whisper of morning dew'.
That's absolutely NOT what we're about.
Our wine events are curated by Mel to be genuine, welcoming, and, dare we say it, actually fun. And if you know us for brunch in Brixton, or you’re one of the many lovely humans who swear we do the best roast in Brixton (yep, our Sunday Roast Brixton reputation is a thing), this is your nudge to come see a different side of The Laundry.
Expect a NZ-led line-up (with a few well-chosen mates from further afield), seriously good food, and the kind of night where you learn something without feeling like you’re back in school. By the third course? You’ll have new pals. It’s basically guaranteed.
Candlelight, Clinking Glasses, and Coldharbour Lane
Among Coldharbour Lane restaurants, we've carved out a reputation for wine experiences that move beyond just a meal. These are proper events. Everything is thoughtfully curated so the food and wine feel like they were made for each other. Nothing is an afterthought.
The atmosphere in our Brixton dining room during these evenings is something else entirely. Candles flickering, conversation flowing, glasses clinking. It's intimate without being pretentious, educational without being boring. You'll walk away with a fuller appreciation of wine, sure, but more importantly, you'll walk away having had a genuinely brilliant night out.
These events do sell out quickly, so if you want to snag a spot, we’d recommend signing up to our newsletter. Trust us, you don’t want to miss the next one.
The Philosophy: NZ-Led (Because That’s What We Love)
Let’s talk about what ends up in your glass, shall we? Mel’s wine philosophy is simple: lead with New Zealand, pour the good stuff, and make it make sense with what’s on your plate. We love the classics too, but if you’re coming to The Laundry for a wine night, expect NZ producers to take centre stage: bright, textural, elegant, and ridiculously drinkable.
At our wine dinners, you’ll taste through regions and styles side by side (hello, Pinot nerd-out). It’s not a lecture, it’s a vibe. You’ll leave with a new favourite bottle and a few ‘wait… why is this so good?’ moments.
A Table for Everyone
Whether you're a complete wine novice who's never swirled a glass in your life or a seasoned enthusiast who can identify a wine's region from a single sniff, there's a place for you at our table. We promise not to judge if you prefer the £15 bottle over the £50 one. In fact, Mel would probably respect you more for trusting your own palate.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming wine dinners. You can check our Group DIning if you're thinking of bringing a group, or simply pop by to meet the team and see what we're all about
Calling All Wineries: Join the Family
We’re always looking to grow our wine family! We’d love to invite wineries to collaborate and use The Laundry as a base for your own events and Wine Dinners. We supply the space and the food matches, and you supply the wines and guests.
Old World soul, New World spirit, and a whole lot of heart. That's what you'll find here.
See you around the table! 🍷
