Joshua Mason introduces his Ciel premium wines to the Australian palate
Better known for his fine-dining skills in the kitchen, having earned his stripes in some of the world’s finest Michelin-star restaurants, Chef Joshua Mason has turned his attention to fine wine, launching his own label, Ciel Wines, including a premium collector’s range, Cloud Series and Ciel Wine Club.
"Ciel Wines is the culmination of my culinary journey. Winemaking is a natural extension from chefing and it’s become an absolute obsession of mine from sourcing the grapes – largely from the Barossa – to creating the perfect bouquet and blend for the palate – of course matched with my creations in the kitchen,” he explains.
“In French, 'Ciel' translates to 'sky' in English. Creating these new signatures is an endeavour aimed at pushing myself and seeing what I can create. It’s highly rewarding," he says.
This seamless blend of gastronomy and viticulture reflects Chef Mason's unwavering allegiance to quality and his profound passion for the intricate nuances of winemaking and ingredients pairing.
His journey began amidst the vibrant kitchens of San Francisco, where he honed his skills under the guidance of some of the world's finest Michelin-starred restaurants, including Atelier Crenn and Coi.
Drawing inspiration from his experiences abroad, Josh returned to Australia in 2016 with a vision to bring elevated French cuisine to Sydney’s fine food scene. In 2017, he unveiled Quoi Dining, a fine-dining French-meets-modern Australian restaurant, promptly receiving a hat by the prestigious Australian Good Food Guide.
The Ciel wines venture
After five years at the helm of Quoi Dining, Josh harboured a longstanding dream to venture into winemaking. Leveraging his refined palate, he crafted a label that epitomises his expertise as a Michelin-trained chef, emphasising quality, flavour, and his love for South Australia’s Barossa.
"I've always believed that a great meal is incomplete without a great wine to accompany it. With Ciel, I wanted to create wines that not only enhance my culinary creations but also stand independently on their own as expressions of craftsmanship and passion," he describes.
Each varietal is meticulously sourced from premium vineyards, handpicked to ensure the utmost quality and distinct flavour profile. From the nuanced elegance of Beurre Blanc to the rich complexity of Stratus Syrah and Cumulus Cabernet Sauvignon, every bottle represents years of dedication and artistry.
"It's been years of hard work, and now I am witnessing the tangible fruits of my dedication, boasting the largest wine list in Sydney's Hills District. Ciel Wines, are made at my own winery in South Australia's Barossa region," he adds.
So well received have Josh’s wines been, he has now signed agreements with several leading restaurant groups such as Sydney Restaurant Group to have several of his ultra-premium vintages available in their restaurants. Another includes Etymon Projects, the team behind hospitality venues, Poetica, The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar, and Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie and Traiteur. The group is also partnering with The Langham, Sydney to open a new restaurant and lounge bar inside the luxury hotel and all venues are set to offer Ciel Wines.
On the back of this success, Josh will unveil his next venture, a spectacular Seafood-forward, Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant also in Sydney’s Hills district, Ciel Restaurant and Bar (translating to Sky in French). Offering indoor and outdoor dining with changing views and aspects from day to night, Ciel will open within the Infinity Park master-planned precinct in Sydney’s Norwest in mid-2024.
Exquisite new offerings from Ciel Wines:
As Chef Joshua Mason continues to push the boundaries of gastronomy and winemaking, Ciel Wines serves as a testament to his unwavering pursuit of excellence. Each sip invites wine enthusiasts on a journey of taste and terroir, celebrating the rich tapestry of Australian heritage.
Ciel Wine Club
So popular have his wines become, over 100 members have joined his Ciel Wine Club in the last few months. Wine lovers can join Ciel Wine Club from $650 per year to receive a mix of 12 bottles of the Ciel Wine range from Josh’s winery in the Barossa delivered to your door.
Ciel Sip & Chat Series
Josh has also launched a regular Sip and Chat Series in Quoi Dining where guests can experience a table sharing feast and bottomless wine tasting across a range of varietals and vintages (tickets are priced at $100 and bookings are limited to 30 guests).
All wines can be purchased at https://cielwines.com.au/.
8th May 2024
