A new series of intimate tasting events, In Her Glass, will bring accomplished women from across the drinks industry to Hains & Co’s newly opened upstairs bar – Admiral’s Quarters. The first edition, Tequila & Margaritas, will be led by Herradura Tequila Educator Natasha Vercoe, on Wednesday, 14th October.

Each edition takes a deep dive into a different spirit, wine or drink category – from tequila and Champagne to whisky and bourbon – hosted by a different woman from the hospitality and drinks industry: distillers, blenders, brand ambassadors and educators sharing their expertise firsthand.

Guests are welcomed with a drink before a guided tasting with small bites, built around conversation and questions rather than a formal masterclass format.

The series builds on Hains & Co’s earlier Pouring Ribbons tastings, an earlier series of women-only tastings held downstairs at the Gilbert Place bar.

The team found that when women had the room to themselves, conversation opened up, questions flowed freely, and guests were curious not only about what they were tasting, but why they liked it. 

“When women come together, there’s a completely different energy – it’s expressive, curious and excited,” says co-owner Marissa Galatis.

“We wanted to take what we learnt from those events and create something with a home and identity of its own.” 

“Drinks become so much more interesting when you understand where they come from and why they taste the way they do,” says Marissa.

“You can go deep without making it intimidating – the best question in the room can quite easily be the one someone was worried about asking.”

There’s no assumed knowledge, and Marissa is upfront that the point isn’t to tell guests what they should like.

“You might discover you love añejo tequila, a really peaty whisky or bone-dry Champagne. Or you might decide you don’t. Either way, you leave understanding more about what you like and why,” says Marissa.

Edition No. 01: Tequila & Margaritas, launching in October, moves beyond the shot-glass-and-lime tequila most people know. Vercoe will guide guests from agave to finished spirit, covering what separates blanco, reposado, añejo and extra añejo, and how ageing shapes flavour. Guests taste four premium tequilas, plus two mini Margaritas showing the spirit in a different form.

In Her Glass will run regularly, with a new category and a new host each edition.

WHERE: 23 Gilbert Place, Adelaide