For stockist details, see Directory, p 153FINE WINE AND RUGBY may seem
incongruous, but for ex-Wallabies no. 8
David Lyons, one led to the other. A move
to Paris to play for Stade Francais resulted
in a love affair with French food and wine,
and from there, importing little-known
artisanal French wines to Australia via his
new company, French Vine.
Now retired from playing, he and wife
Justine gather at friends Sally and
Christopher Riggert’s house in Sydney’s
Woollahra to celebrate the venture’s
launch, the menu matched to French
Vine’s flagship Champagne, Leclerc Briant.
“We haven’t had a really well-made
organic Champagne in Australia,” says
David, who won 44 caps for the Wallabies.
“Leclerc Briant are all about purity, and
you can taste the freshness.” David’s ties
with chefs and restaurateurs in the French
capital inform French Vine’s picks, which,
as well as being available to the public
(visit frenchvine.com.au for details), are
also supplied to top restaurants, including
Sydney’s Monopole.
The food is all about sharing, to
complement the recent renovation Sally
and Chris undertook. “We opened up the
house to lots of entertaining spaces,” says
Sally. “We’ve got the front area for drinks,
and then it’s cosy with a fire out the back.
“I love it when Justine and Dave come
over. We’ve known one another a long
time, but now I get embarrassed picking
wines; the bar’s so high!”@frenchvine.com.auDownload our enhanced
App for Cook ModeGUEST LIST
With David, Justine and Sally is Sally’s husband, With David, Justine and Sally is Sally’s husband,
Christopher Riggert, a commercial director. Christopher Riggert, a commercial director. Christopher Riggert, a commercial director.
Joining them is former Wallabies captain Phil Joining them is former Wallabies captain Phil
Waugh, now at CBA; graphic designer Daniel Waugh, now at CBA; graphic designer Daniel
Dimarco and partner Mia Marcus Clark, a Dimarco and partner Mia Marcus Clark, a Dimarco and partner Mia Marcus Clark, a
swimwear designer; Bahar Etminan of RESCU; swimwear designer; Bahar Etminan of RESCU;
Justine’s brother, Luke Bouchier, also a director; Justine’s brother, Luke Bouchier, also a director;
and his fiancee, Bessie Quansah, who works at and his fiancee, Bessie Quansah, who works at
the Office of Environment and Heritage.the Office of Environment and Heritage.the Office of Environment and Heritage.
STYLESTYLE
“We often go to the Entertainment Quarter “We often go to the Entertainment Quarter
on Saturdays and get flowers,” says Sally. on Saturdays and get flowers,” says Sally.
“With the food I like to lump everything in “With the food I like to lump everything in
the middle and put the cutlery in an the middle and put the cutlery in an
interesting bowl – we bought some beautiful interesting bowl – we bought some beautiful
ceramics while living in LA.”ceramics while living in LA.”
MMENUENU
“We use the barbecue a lot,” Sally says. “We use the barbecue a lot,” Sally says.
“These days we cook a lot of salmon, lots of “These days we cook a lot of salmon, lots of
salads; it’s all very shareable. We’ve also been salads; it’s all very shareable. We’ve also been
re-creating dishes from a trip to Italy last year.” re-creating dishes from a trip to Italy last year.”
PLAYLISTPLAYLIST
“I got Chris a record player for his fortieth and “I got Chris a record player for his fortieth and
everyone bought him records,” says Sally. everyone bought him records,” says Sally.
Playing today are Bon Iver and Frank Sinatra.Playing today are Bon Iver and Frank Sinatra.
DRINKSDRINKS
““We sometimes make a little cocktail or a jug, We sometimes make a little cocktail or a jug,
but Justine and Dave often pick. They taught but Justine and Dave often pick. They taught
us about Chablis, which we love,” says Sally.us about Chablis, which we love,” says Sally.SET THSET THE SCENEE SCENE
Party hosts Sally and
Christopher Riggert.
RIGHT: French Vine’s
Justine and David Lyons.