Charlie McKenzie is an icon of the Brisbane Wine scene.

It is so sad to say goodbye to one of the true legends of the hospitality and retail wine trade in Brisbane. For the past 18 years Charlie McKenzie has managed an elite wine team and a venue that is filled with amazing wines.

Under the guidance of Charlie, The Wine Emporium at Newstead has become a world-class retail store that offers an outstanding range of premium Australian and imported wines. The goal of the Wine Emporium has been to assemble the best range of wine, the best staff and the best shopping experience in Australia. To compliment the store experience Charlie's team has been conducting weekly free in-store tastings, regular special events, wine dinners, and an extensive education program.

You could say that he has managed a very comprehensive package of wine experiences for the local enthusiasts.

Lucky for me, Charlie came to the rescue when I was seeking a mid-life "career adjustment" back in 2017. He has a huge wine network, is well respected by the wider hospitality industry and has introduced me to some of the best winemakers in Australia. Thanks Charlie and enjoy the next phase your life up on the Sunshine Coast.

A recent message sent by Charlie via email:

The time has come for me to say farewell - my journey with The Wine Emporium has comes to an end. (1st March).?I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and suppliers, many of whom have become good friends, for your support over the last 18 years. It has been a marvelous period of my life, experiencing lots of highs, and not many disappointments. I will have to find fellow tragic's at Moffat Beach to discuss the weekend performances of the Geelong Cats, but it can be done with a nice glass of champagne in hand, of course! I wish the whole Wine Emporium team all the very best for the future. It has been a blast.