How Darren Davis Uses Wine Events to Build Lasting Relationships

Few things bring people together quite like great wine and good conversation. For Davis & White Fine Wine Merchants co-founder Darren Davis, specialty wine events and long lunches provide the perfect setting for people to connect, build relationships, and exchange ideas.

Together with his partner Amy White, they attend or host more than 100 events annually, including several hosted by the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation. Through these gatherings, they have seen firsthand how shared experiences can create valuable networking opportunities and lasting connections.

“I’m always pleased to be involved in these events because they provide an opportunity to support both the organisations hosting them and the wineries to promote their products,” Davis said.

“Where I can, I like to help organisations deliver successful functions while also helping winemakers showcase the passion, craftsmanship, and history behind their wines.”

Davis first met Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation cofounder and CEO John Godwin through mutual friends in the travel industry. They had often spoken about how they could help each other, which has now resulted in a series of luncheons and events.

Davis has successfully operated a number of bars and wine retail businesses in Brisbane, but these days sees their wine auction business going from strength to strength.

“We have a climate-controlled warehouse in Northgate housing around 30,000 bottles of wine,” Davis said. “Our collection ranges from an 1878 vintage, one of the oldest bottles we hold, through to a 29-litre bottle, and everything in between.

“We also specialise in sourcing rare and hard-to-find wines, including birth-year vintages that make truly memorable gifts and celebration pieces.”

As well as being a retailer and wine events business, Davis & White is the only dedicated wine auction house in Queensland. They get a lot of approaches from deceased estates, bankruptcies, and divorces, with excess stock coming to the business to be sold. They catalog the collections, photograph the bottles, set reserves, and on the first Tuesday of each month, hold an auction on their website.

Davis comes across many treasures that people have been hoarding, and mentions 1971 and 1976 as two of the better years

“There are certain vintages that are simply fabulous and the wines will last 50+ years,” he said. “Many of the old fortified wines in particular keep very well.” 

Outside of a life in wine and hospitality, Davis and his family enjoy the water. Diving is one of his main outlets, and they will return to Vanuatu in September. He says the wreck of the SS President Coolidge in the Segond Channel off Vanuata is one of the most amazing dive sites, with new jeeps still stacked in the hull.

“Amy is an avid snorkeler,” he says. “My three adult kids have their dive tickets too. We enjoy eating out and travelling in general, and always like to have a trip on the horizon.”

In addition to working with Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, Darren and Amy have supported other groups, including the Starlight Foundation, Youngcare, and the Mater Foundation, amongst others.

Further corporate opportunities in 2026 offer your business a prime opportunity to align with purpose and help shape brighter futures.

To sponsor a table or learn more, contact Paula Russo, [email protected]

Onwards & Upwards is the flagship self-development program of the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation, designed to support young people and adults in need.

The Foundation plans to hold over 80 programs in 2026 in Queensland, with its more than 600 active volunteer mentors focusing on its core groups of young people facing challenges, emerging student leaders, and job seekers.

To learn more or donate, visit:  www.inspiringbrighterfutures.com
ENDS media enquiries to Brenton Gibbs 0419 828440 [email protected]