Munda Wines, Australia’s premier 100 percent Aboriginal-owned wine company, has announced The Munda Wine Bar – a landmark pop-up collaboration running across all four days of AFL Gather Round in Adelaide from 9 to 12 April.
Hosted in the Adelaide Festival Centre underpass, just steps from the footbridge to Adelaide Oval, the venue brings together three of Australia’s most exciting First Nations drinks businesses during one of the country’s biggest sporting weekends.
There will be a suite of award-winning wines from South Australia and beyond, cocktails and spirits from Seven Seasons Distilling, hard seltzers from Gangurru Seltzers, finger food and great tunes – plus some AFL royalty dropping by.
The Munda Wine Bar brings together three distinct First Nations-owned drinks businesses, each with deep roots in Australian football and an equally deep commitment to quality, storytelling and culture.
Munda Wines was founded by Pauly Vandenbergh, the AFL’s National Talent Diversity Manager, following more than a decade at Port Adelaide Football Club as its Aboriginal Programs Director.
Launched in 2022, Munda Wines is a premium national wine business with its heart firmly in South Australia, working with Traditional Owners, grapegrowers and winemakers across Australia’s most celebrated wine regions to craft wines that carry culture, story and Country in every glass.
In 2026, Munda Wines earned selection in the Qantas International First and Business Class inflight wine program – one of the world’s most competitive wine appointments, curated through a blind tasting of more than 1,400 bottles.
This follows their success at both the State and Federal Export Awards, where they were named the inaugural First Nations Exporter of the Year.
Daniel Motlop and his brother Steven Motlop are the founders of Seven Seasons Spirits, producing award-winning premium Australian spirits inspired by the seven seasons of the Larrakia people of the Northern Territory.
Their range of spirits includes the acclaimed and internationally awarded Green Ant Gin, Native Yam Vodka and Paperbark Honey Whisky.
Across the four days, Seven Seasons will present a series of cocktails and mixed drinks, bringing a spirit-forward dimension to proceedings.
Between them, the Motlop brothers – Shannon, Daniel and Steven – boast more than 580 AFL games across Port Adelaide, Geelong, Melbourne and North Melbourne.
Daniel’s son Jesse continues the family’s football legacy at Carlton, making the Motlops one of the most remarkable sporting families in AFL history.
Rigby Barnes is the founder and owner of Gangurru Seltzers – Australia’s only 100 percent First Nations-made alcoholic seltzer.
With vibrant flavours including Native Lime and Strawberry, and Native River Mint and Watermelon, Gangurru Seltzers’ offer a taste of place and a story to savour.
Barnes is also a decorated footballer: a two-time recipient of the Mail Medal, awarded to the fairest and most brilliant player across South Australian country football leagues, during a celebrated career with Encounter Bay in the Great Southern Football League.
His presence at Munda Wine Bar adds a distinctive element to The Munda Wine Bar collaboration.
“It’s been a huge year for Munda Wines so far, but this is next level,” says Pauly Vandenbergh from Munda Wines.
“A premium wine bar, bringing Munda Wines from across the country to Adelaide for Gather Round, alongside drinks by absolute footy legends like Daniel Motlop and Rigby Barnes – what could be better?
“Gather Round is a genuine celebration of AFL here in Adelaide and we can’t wait to be a part of it.
“If you’re heading into Adelaide for a game, add an extra hour to your planning and drop by for a glass of wine, or a G&T – it’s the place to be!”
Photo: From left, Daniel Motlop (Seven Seasons Spirits), Rigby Barnes (Gangurru Seltzers) and Pauly Vandenbergh (Munda Wines).
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