The Long Table. Intrepidus Wine tasting done LRT style

What do a theatre maker, a winemaker, and a revolutionist have in common?
They are fearless in the unknown.

This evening gathers around that shared instinct — choosing courage when the path is unclear, trusting process over certainty, and staying with the work even when it asks everything of you.

Join Bridget Raffal, Sommelier and Chair of Women and Revolution, and Chrissie Smith, three‑time Young Gun of Wine finalist (2023–2025), as they co‑host a theatrical wine tasting like no other. Set within a theatre, you will be invited to:

• Sample Chrissie Smith’s daring wines, each slightly off the beaten track
• Try your hand at writing your own tasting notes
• Meet like‑minded adventurers
• Have your nose and palate guided (and gently judged) by Bridget

“Sometimes life takes you on unexpected journeys, ones that challenge every inch of your sanity. It’s not until you finish that journey that you realise that course is the exact direction you needed to go.” — Chrissie Smith

The Long Table brings together three formidable women whose practices are shaped by risk, care, and conviction. Like The Living Room Theatre, their work is forged not by certainty but by a deep commitment to the journey itself.

All proceeds support The Living Room Theatre’s Art Fund, sustaining courageous female artistic work and fearless exploration.

Chrissie Smith — Winemaker, Intrepidus Wines

Chrissie Smith is the winemaker behind Intrepidus Wines, a label born from an audacious leap from desk job to vineyard life in 2017. Working from a one‑acre Canberra District vineyard she farms herself, Smith champions a vineyard‑first philosophy, believing that great wine begins with healthy soil, biodiversity, and attentive hands.

A three‑time Young Gun of Wine finalist (2023–2025), she is known for her experimental, slightly off‑the‑beaten‑track approach — from co‑fermenting shiraz with white varieties to crafting chenin blanc, nero d’avola, pét‑nat riesling, and expressive sangiovese blends. Intrepidus (“courage in new ventures”) reflects both her winemaking ethos and the bold life shift that brought her to the vines as a single parent of three young daughters.

Having worked with leading producers including Clonakilla, Ravensworth, Castle Rock Estate, and Collector Wines, Smith continues to expand her practice through study, experimentation, and sustainable viticulture. Whether regenerating neglected vineyards or trialling new varieties, she remains driven by curiosity, resilience, and a deep love of the land.

Bridget Raffal — Sommelier, Advocate, Cultural Changemaker

Bridget Raffal is one of Sydney’s most dynamic sommeliers, known for pairing deep wine knowledge with a fierce commitment to equity and cultural change. With over 15 years in hospitality, she has shaped some of the city’s most influential wine programs, including her tenure as Head Sommelier at Sixpenny, where she helped secure the restaurant’s third hat.

A partner at Where’s Nick Wine Bar and newly opened The Claret Club, Bridget has earned multiple accolades, including the Sommelier’s Choice Award (twice), Australia’s Best Wine Bar List, and Sommelier of the Year in the Good Food Guide (2023). She is also co‑founder of Women and Revolution, a charity advancing gender equity in the wine industry and recipient of the inaugural Cultural Change Champion Award in 2024.

Bridget is a respected wine judge, consultant, and advocate, contributing to Sommelier’s Australia’s Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Whether opening rare bottles at Claret Club or challenging outdated industry norms, she brings clarity, courage, and a sharp palate to everything she touches.

Supported by

“We are not a home for creativity. We are a home for art that won’t stay quiet.”