About The Prosecco Queen
Arguably Australia's foremost authority on Prosecco, Melissa Brauer has been extolling the virtues of the world's favourite sparkling wine for the past 15 years, and returns regularly to the Veneto, Italy’s home of Prosecco, as well as spending countless weekends in the King Valley in North East Victoria, the birthplace of Australian Prosecco.
She is the creator and director of Melbourne’s annual Prosecco Festival, celebrating its 10th year in 2027, as a way to showcase the range of styles of Prosecco, from bottle-fermented Col Fondo, through to more fruit-forward wines. She highlights some of her favourite winemakers and importers, with wines made from the grapes hand-picked from the steep slopes of the Veneto hills in North East Italy, to Australia’s first Prosecco from Dal Zotto in the King Valley, and all the delicious drops in between.
In 2017 she and her husband bought and renovated ‘Whitty Cottage’ in Whitfield in the King Valley, which is walking distance from some their favourite local wineries along the Prosecco Road, including Dal Zotto and Pizzini, and not far from Sam Miranda and Brown Brothers.
Melissa regularly hosts wine dinners and master classes at restaurants and bars around Melbourne and interstate, and her private in-home masterclasses are a huge hit.
She also hosts and MCs corporate events and has developed a wine quiz which can be done in person as well as online.
Her next guided tour to Italy's Prosecco region kicks off in May 2027.
She loves teaching people about this widely-consumed but often misunderstood wine, and her greatest delight comes when people try a new Prosecco for the first time and say “Wow, I had no idea Prosecco could taste like that!”
She also has an Instagram & Facebook page dedicated to Prosecco, as well as owning and operating Van Di Vino, Australia’s original Prosecco van and Spritz bar.
Melissa’s hope from all her events is that you will come away with a new-found understanding of the different styles, as well as an appreciation for these winemakers and importers who strive to provide us with these wonderful wines!
Upcoming Events
North x North East Victorian Wine Festival
Saturday August 1, 2026
City Watch House, Russell St, Melbourne
Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just looking for a fun couple of hours out, this festival is the perfect Melbourne Winter activity.
On Saturday August 1st, you're invited to experience the bold, the rare, the fortified and the unforgettable, as the wines of North East Victoria are poured within the walls of the historic and iconic Old Melbourne Gaol City Watch House for the North x North East Victorian Wine festival.
Tickets are just $50 and since we've moved over to Humantix, the booking fees are significantly reduced, and go straight to charity.
Your ticket includes a stylish reusable tote bag, brochure, branded glass that's yours to keep, and tastings of over 60 wines.
The event showcases the diversity and depth of 7 wine regions—Goulburn Valley, Strathbogie Ranges, King Valley, Beechworth, Rutherglen, Mansfield, and The Alpine Valleys. From elegant cool-climate varietals to powerful reds and pioneering Proseccos, the festival is a journey through the heart of High Country wine.
https://events.humanitix.com/north-x-north-east-victorian-wine-festival
