Why I Joined: A Conversation with Kevin Holzapfel

Every Member arrives at the Club for a different reason.

For some, it begins with a single invitation.

For this Member, it was a lunch among like-minded people, followed by a tour of the Cellar that revealed just how much the Club had to offer. What started as a guest experience soon became something more enduring: a community, a shared passion for wine and a circle of friendships that continue to enrich life today.

As part of our Member Stories series, we are pleased to share the reflections of Kevin Holzapfel.

I first came to join the Club after being invited as a guest to a lunch group consisting of like-minded people, several of whom I already knew.

Having known of The Brisbane Club as a business club, it was immediately apparent to me that the atmosphere and environment offered much more than that. At lunch, everyone made me feel comfortable and welcome. Later, as we adjourned to the Lounge, I found that same sense of community extended to all those I was fortunate enough to meet.

Knowing I had a keen interest in wine, the Member who invited me arranged a tour of the Cellar. For me, it was like discovering Aladdin’s cave.

I was fascinated to learn about the Club’s regular winemaker events featuring some of Australia’s most iconic and influential producers, including Cullen, Henschke, Leeuwin Estate and Rockford. Not long afterwards, I was fortunate enough to attend one of these events as a guest, and it confirmed for me that this was a Club I wanted to be part of.

Over the years, the exceptional food and wine offering has always kept me coming back. Through my interactions at the Club, I have also been fortunate to develop friendships with fellow Members, many of whom I now catch up with regularly over lunch or dinner.

What I find particularly powerful about these occasions is that, despite the demands of modern life, Members continue to make time for one another. Whether monthly or quarterly, each gathering remains enjoyable, engaging and memorable.

— Kevin Holzapfel