As Pair’d Margaret River Region x Range Rover draws near, we’re celebrating the people who bring stories of wine to life.

Next in our series is Erin Larkin, a Perth-based wine writer and contributor to The Wine Companion and Gourmet Traveller Wine. A regular host of wine events in Perth and across Australia, Erin’s focus is firmly on Western Australia, sharing her deep knowledge and passion for the region’s wines with audiences near and far. At this year’s Pair’d, she’ll be joining guests at The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines and the immersive Ngilgi Reverie experience.

YOU’RE RETURNING TO THE MARGARET RIVER REGION FOR PAIR’D – WHAT DOES THE REGION MEAN TO YOU?

Margaret River isn’t just one single thing to me. It’s not just the great vineyards, or the wild coastline, or the big trees, it’s also where many of my friends live. The surrounding forests provide endless mountain-biking and hiking, both things I do with my family. 

Visiting Margs represents a great opportunity to go out to eat and drink – it seems that somewhere new opens every month.

WHAT FUELS YOUR LOVE FOR WINE & FOOD?

I don’t feel separate from my love of wine. It’s threaded through my soul, in the same way I feel about art. Wine is not a conscious pursuit; it is woven into everything I do professionally and personally. I love the land and the vineyards most. Maybe my love of gardening fuels that?

WHAT’S THE MOST SURPRISING OR UNEXPECTED PAIRING YOU’VE EVER TASTED?

It started with KFC and Krug Champagne (thanks Penny at LET 2022), and evolved to Cheezels and Chablis. I’m a fan of high/low pairings. Mini hard-boiled quail eggs with sea salt flakes, caviar and Champagne, Manjimup truffle creamy pasta with 2021 Barbaresco, or marron with Margaret River Chardonnay – all feel just as valid.

DO YOU HAVE A GO-TO, FOOLPROOF PAIRING THAT NEVER FAILS?

Marron and Margaret River Chardonnay.

WITH PAIR’D COMING UP IN NOVEMBER, WHAT EXPERIENCES, FLAVOURS, OR MOMENTS DO YOU HOPE GUESTS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR EVENTS?

Wine can often feel complicated, but it shouldn’t be. There’s plenty to know, of course, but since we all understand flavour from our everyday lives, there’s plenty to explore at a deeper level. 

I hope to bring simplicity and relatability to the wines and foods we’ll enjoy together. Guests at The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines can expect a curated journey through exceptional wines, while Ngilgi Reverie will immerse them in music, culture, and connection that highlight the unique spirit of the region.

WHAT’S ON YOUR KITCHEN PLAYLIST?

Totally depends on my mood. Instrumental jazz – think Donald Byrd or Sonny Rollins, Ryan Adams Live After Deaf (Live in Malmo), or my ‘take me to dinner’ playlist, which is a long mix of everything from The Roots, Mos Def, Common, Otis Redding. It’s eclectic. I see beauty for its own sake, like my attraction to wine.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TRAVEL FOR FESTIVALS LIKE PAIR’D? WHAT DO YOU TAKE HOME, LESSONS, INSPIRATION, OR CONNECTIONS, FROM THESE EXPERIENCES?

I look back over my years attending tastings and visiting wineries, and the difference between drinking alone and listening to a producer or viticulturist explain their work is significant. Kneeling in a vineyard to feel the sponginess of the soil, tasting fruit as it is ripening, or feeling the sea breeze on your face teaches you more about a wine than ten tastings of the same bottle. 

Pair’d brings together some of the best people of this great region and delivers them directly to guests – what better access could we ask for?

 
We’re thrilled to have Erin Larkin joining us for The Grand Tasting presented by Singapore Airlines and Ngilgi Reverie, sharing her passion and deep knowledge of Western Australian wine. Both events are sold out, but make sure to join the waitlist and subscribe to our email list to secure early access to 2026 tickets.