Park90 in Singapore
If you have ever fantasised about sampling rare wines such as a mythical cult Californian Cabernet Sauvignon (Helen Turley-produced Screaming Eagle vintages specifically come to mind) or perhaps savouring your first sip of a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, long considered the crème de la crème of fine wines, it is time to consider Park90.
A premium lounge dedicated to vinous pleasures, it premiered in Singapore in 2018 but will soon make its Malaysian debut. “What definitely sets us apart are our notable wines-by-the-glass list,” says Mason Ng, who leads Park90’s sommelier team and is the youngest and only participant from Southeast Asia to win the Best Sommelier of Asia & Oceania 2023 award. “Imagine being able to order Petrus or Sassicaia and, yes, even Screaming Eagle by the glass … This unique selling point will allow those curious and enthusiastic about prestigious wines to try it first before committing to a full bottle.”
The world of wine, as most of us know, can be prohibitively expensive. So, when a team of entrepreneurs and operators with extensive expertise in the wine and F&B trades decided to pool their passion into a venture that would revolutionise the industry, the idea was to create a club or sorts where wine lovers could come together to experience a comprehensive selection on a par with the best of the rest of the world. They founded Wine Portal Holding Pte Ltd, with notable Singapore-based wine importer and investor Soo Hoo Khoon Peng serving as its chairman. Soo Hoo made global headlines in 2012 when he bought into Robert Parker Jr’s The Wine Advocate franchise.
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Park90, set up under the Wine Portal, would prove to be the answer to all vinous prayers whispered around the region, giving its members the chance to pick and choose from a list that features hundreds of exquisite labels, providing ample opportunities for experiential (and experimental) fun, all the while allowing for the broadening of one’s palate without breaking the bank.
With Singapore firmly established (there are two across the Causeway, at the Conrad Singapore Orchard and Tenuta by Park90 at InterContinental Hotel) as well as sister outlets at the Grand Mayfull Hotel Taipei in Taiwan and award-winning ski resort Setsu Niseko in Hokkaido, Japan (both of which opened in 2022) running merrily, the people behind the Wine Portal decided it was high time Malaysia had its own.
“Given the close ties and with many of our loyal Park90 members frequently travelling between the two highly interconnected countries, we are excited to announce our expansion in the Malaysian capital with an established premium hotel partner, The St Regis Kuala Lumpur,” says Ng.
The soft opening has tentatively been set for July 8 while the grand launch is expected to take place at the end of next month. Philipp Haupenthal, general manager of The St Regis Kuala Lumpur, notes: “Park90 will definitely complement our existing Astor Bar [and] give our guests more exquisite choices when enjoying an evening at the hotel. While the Astor Bar takes cigar and spirit lovers on a special journey through our unique Macallan M Room and Macallan Whisky collection, Park90 will be the definitive place for everyone who appreciates an extensive selection of wines in a non-smoking ambience at our Drawing Room.
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“Our mission has always been to create memories and experiences through the shared love of wine. Over the years, we have developed a strong following of avid and loyal members who leverage the Wine Portal group’s wide reach. It is able to source wines from exclusive, collectible cuvées — from renowned winemakers to yet-to-be-discovered gems by rising stars, all of which will suit the palates of seasoned connoisseurs as well as new aficionados.”
Such is the concept’s popularity that, the year it was founded, two pop-up collaborations in Taipei and the swish ski resort of Aspen, in the US state of Colorado, were held to great success. Those who have been to the Singapore outposts of Park90 can attest to its spectacular thousand label-strong list and award-winning wine waiters, the largest team of certified sommeliers of any wine-focused establishment in the region, it must be said. The wine bar has been recognised with a Two Glass-rating at Wine Spectator’s 2020 Best of Award of Excellence, a Silver at Star Wine List’s Grand Prix Asia 2023 and, most recently, a Gold for Best American Wine List at Star Wine List’s Grand Prix Asia 2024.
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All Park90 outlets operate on a similar concept and ethos, which is to always provide only the most excellent selection of wines, combined with world-class service, to its members. There are different membership tiers, of course, but all will come with an array of exclusive privileges, including access to members-only events, such as special tastings, masterclasses and winemaker-led gatherings, and, most important of all, at mates’ rates.
“We frequently host renowned winemakers from both the Old and New Worlds; so, expect regular invites to meet-and-greet sessions with these experts, from promising young champagne makers to luxury Burgundy producers,” says Ng.
“Members will also receive priority access, monthly wine portfolio tastings and complimentary corkage for our BYO Cellar Nights.
“There will be additional perks to look forward to for Park90 members such as discounts on food and accommodation from our hotel partners, complimentary birthday wine and much more. The benefits are numerous!”
Park90 at The St Regis Kuala Lumpur will open in July.
This article first appeared on June 17, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
