Clive Harley & Robyn Rogers
Chris Dilworth and Loïque Allain have brought wine and art to Daylesford with their art gallery and cellar door combination at 5 Howe Street. This dynamic couple run this small business together and share what they both love to do with the public. We interviewed them recently and you can listen to the podcast below.
They bring a rich background, having worked and travelled across Europe and Australia. Chris worked in Burgundy and Tuscany and settled in the local area, working first at Eastern Peake, Paringa Estate, and Hewitson. Loïque held residencies in Murano and Paris and worked with Paul Pillot and Bernard Van Berg in Burgundy.
Loïque has received the Lloyd Rees Emerging Artist Award, the David Raffan Art Award, and been a finalist in the Geelong Print Prize, Bay of Fires Art Award, and others.
Chris studied Oenology and Viticulture at Adelaide University, after discovering a love of wine while working in restaurants including Tetsuya’s, Rockpool (Sydney and Melbourne), and Chez Bruce (London).
Loïque studied Fine Art (majoring in Printmaking) and completed her Honours focusing on linocuts, initially introduced to large-format work through a mentorship with master printer Theo Tremblay in Cairns.
They also received the Young Guns of Wine Award and Best New Entrant in 2020 with only their second vintage and were a finalist for the Best New Winery in the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion.
Loïque studied Fine Art (majoring in Printmaking) and completed her Honours focusing on linocuts, initially introduced to large-format work through a mentorship with master printer Theo Tremblay in Cairns.
They also received the Young Guns of Wine Award and Best New Entrant in 2020 with only their second vintage and were a finalist for the Best New Winery in the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion.
Their CV’s speak for themselves and now they have brought their artistic and wine making skills to Daylesford’s main street. Chris and Loïque also plan to host local musicians in the courtyard and run exhibitions along with the opportunity to taste their wines. The space is also designed for events and they have already started to schedule some special events in such as their once-a-month BBQ & Beats. The next one is scheduled for Sunday 14th January 2026 from 4pm and the beats will be provided with live music.
Visitors to the cellar door can taste four wines from a choice of Grenache, Dolcetto, Pinot Noir, Rose, Riesling and Chardonnay for $15, or have a glass for $15 to $24. Bottles are between $30 and $60 to take away, plus $15 to have there.
While sipping visitors are surrounded by a dazzling display of Loïque’s large-scale linocuts, which are also for sale. Adding to the “flavour” the labels on their wines are linocuts created by Loïque, who also runs monthly linocut workshops in the studio space.
Loïque also runs monthly BYO Craft sessions and Chris is currently planning a “Six Peaks” wine tasting called “Taste the Terroir” on January 17th. as part of the Macedon Ranges Vignerons Association (MRVA) events calendar. He will combine the tasting with a geological overview by Barry Golding – look out for these events on their Instagram page @dilworthandallain.
This very busy couple are firmly entrenched in Daylesford and are determined to make a success of their gallery and cellar door. It’s a lovely space to drop into an enjoy a glass of their wines while perusing the art. They have space outdoors as well should the weather in Daylesford decide to co-operate!
Listen to the “Put a Cork In It” podcast by clicking on the links below.
Dillworth and Allain podcast, Part 1.
Dillworth and Allain podcast, Part 2.
Clive Hartley is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant. Check out his fortnightly radio show on HEPFM website called “put a cork in it”. Robyn Rogers is a presenter on HEPFM and a member of The Wombat Post editorial committee.
