Bandesh Wine & Spirits - well I am loving what I see.... some really well thought out and carefully crafted products and inspired by a great friend of mine! I have known Farhad for a few years and it is wonderful to see this venture take place. Since meeting Farhad I have been privileged to view his art and listen to his music, including attending a concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl.  During the many visits I had with Farhad whilst detained we often spoke about wine, this being our mutual passion. Upon his release I reached out to nearby wine regions such as the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Macedon Ranges to get him connected and experience in the industry.  It was Mac Forbes who really wanted to meet Farhad and hire him for the vintage about to start. A real community effort saw grapes donated, friends and Mac's winery facilitating the process.

Time to Fly is incredibly meaningful with alot of heart and soul in making it. I wish Bandesh Wine & Spirits every success and may it lead to raising awareness and social change.

I’m so excited to support Bandesh Wine & Spirits. Their passion and dedication is inspired by Farhad Bandesh and all about making incredible wine and spirits for Australians to share as a community, and also use it as a means to continue advocating for the rights of refugees. Time to Fly, their first wine, is a beautiful Shiraz from the Yarra Valley and it also stands for freedom. Time to Fly means everyone should be free. I urge everyone to enjoy the wine (and those spirits)! and get behind this wonderful new venture!

Bandesh Wine & Spirits is an extraordinary enterprise with techniques/recipes linked to an ancient tradition of Kurdish wine and spirit making. I was honoured to be one of the early tasters of the Australian Kurdish Arak - AKA. It filled me with warmth, and with awe at how they have brought these skills and ingenuity to fruition. Bandesh Wine & Spirits have been crafted with attention to detail, with characteristic artistry, and love. I will certainly be a repeat customer!

What a great new business for us all to support with an incredible inspiration behind it. It was really great to meet Farhad in person and work together on an art project in Melbourne, after some time since becoming aware of his extraordinary story of struggle and triumph. I was drawn to his amazing spirit and creative energy. I think of Farhad as the embodiment of true human spirit and strength, of optimism and will power to overcome unthinkable hardships. He came out of these extreme situations not just a survivor, but an example for all of us of how strong and resilient we can be, and how we can carry our spirits high with dignity, wisdom, and creativity . I encourage everyone to support and enjoy his music and art and I wish Bandesh Wine & Spirits all the best!

Bandesh Wine & Spirits is an initiative I really admire and respect. Incredible products are made with fine attention to detail and great care and a strong passion for equality and human rights for all. It is inspired by Farhad Bandesh who is an exemplar of the power of the human spirit. Inspiration personified, he peacefully resisted a system of dehumanization through the greatest expressions of humanity, art and music. He spoke out for others and never let the system overwhelm his sense of entitlement to a full life. His passion for life is an expression of mighty strength of will. He’s overcome a titanic struggle to emerge with the desire to show the world who he is, and through him, how powerful we all are.

This is an opportunity for Farhad to work and excel in an area he is deeply passionate about.

Get behind this great new venture and support all things Bandesh Wine & Spirits!