Pottery and Wine in Melbourne: What to Expect at a Mud & Merlot Class

Pottery and a glass of wine? It turns out they go together beautifully. If you are after a night out in Melbourne that is a bit more creative than the usual dinner and drinks, a Mud and Merlot class is exactly that: hands in the clay, glass in hand, and a genuinely relaxing couple of hours. Diana Ceramic runs these popular pottery and wine sessions across our Burwood and Brunswick studios, and this guide explains what to expect, what you will make, and who it suits. If it sounds like your kind of evening, you can head straight to our Mud and Merlot wheel throwing workshop.

What is a Mud and Merlot class?

Mud and Merlot is our playful name for a pottery class with a social, unwinding twist. Over a couple of relaxed hours, a friendly instructor guides you through the basics of wheel throwing while you sip a drink and enjoy the company, whether that is a partner, a friend or a group. It is beginner-friendly from start to finish, so no experience is needed, and the pace is gentle and unhurried by design. The idea is to swap the pressure of a big night out for something calmer and more creative, where the fun comes from getting your hands in the clay and laughing at your wonky first attempts. As with all our classes, aprons, clay, tools, glazing and firing are provided, so you just turn up and enjoy the experience. On the drinks side, we keep it responsible and relaxed: it is a class for over-18s if you are having alcohol, and there are non-alcoholic options so everyone can join in and enjoy the evening at their own pace.

What you'll make

The star of a Mud and Merlot class is the wheel. Under the guidance of your instructor, you will learn to centre the clay and shape it on a spinning pottery wheel, which is that iconic, satisfying pottery experience you have probably seen and wanted to try. Most people make something like a small bowl, a cup or a little vessel, and the joy is in the making as much as the result. Do not expect perfection on your first go, and that is completely the point, because the charmingly imperfect piece you make is half the fun and a lovely memento of the night. Once you are done, your creation is glazed and fired for you, then ready to collect a little later, so you leave with a real, finished piece of pottery you made yourself, glass of wine and all.

Who it's for

Mud and Merlot suits just about anyone looking for a more memorable way to spend time together. It is a favourite for date nights, offering something more interesting and interactive than dinner and a movie. It is brilliant for catch-ups with friends, hen parties and birthdays, where the shared silliness of learning something new is half the appeal. And it works beautifully as a relaxed celebration or simply a creative treat for yourself. If you love the social, drink-in-hand side of things but prefer painting to the wheel, our ceramic painting workshop with drinks is a gentler alternative that is just as sociable. For bigger groups or a private session, we can host you exclusively too. Whatever the occasion, it is designed to be fun, low-pressure and genuinely different.

How to book

Booking is easy, and it is worth getting in early since these social sessions are popular and do fill up. You can book a Mud and Merlot class directly through our workshops page, choosing your studio, Burwood or Brunswick, and a date and time that suits. If you are coming as a couple or a small group, book your spots together so you are seated with your people. For a larger group, a special celebration or a team event, our private hiring, event and team building option lets you have the studio experience arranged around your group, so just get in touch for the details. However you book, all you need to bring is yourself, comfortable clothes and a bit of a sense of humour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens at a pottery and wine class?

You spend about two hours learning beginner wheel throwing from a friendly instructor while enjoying a drink in a relaxed, social setting. You shape clay on the wheel, make something like a small bowl or cup, and it is glazed and fired for you to collect later. Aprons, clay and tools are all provided.

Do I need any pottery experience for Mud and Merlot?

Not at all. Mud and Merlot is completely beginner-friendly, and the instructor guides you through every step. The relaxed, sociable pace is part of the fun, and nobody expects perfection. It is designed for first-timers who want to try the wheel, enjoy a drink, and have a laugh while making something by hand.

Is it suitable for a date night or a group?

Yes, it is a favourite for both. Couples love it as a more creative, interactive date night, and it is popular for friends, hens parties and birthdays. For larger groups or a private celebration, you can arrange an exclusive session through our private hiring option, tailored around your group and occasion.

Clay, wine and good company

A Mud and Merlot class is one of the loveliest ways to spend an evening in Melbourne: creative, social, and refreshingly different, with a finished piece of pottery to show for it. Whether it is a date night, a catch-up or a celebration, it is fun, relaxed and open to anyone over 18 who enjoys a drink. Grab your person or your people and book your Mud and Merlot class with Diana Ceramic.