Lee Smallman, in his own words, described himself as someone known for taking full flight of anything that could possibly give him an adrenaline kick, this approach to life meant he was always the person bringing the good vibes to any situation. Eager to break through the noise and establish something different in a crowded wine market, Lee hand-crafted Roseade and brought it to life, embodying the principles of which he lived his life.
To Shane Tagliabue, Lee was a brother, his confidant, and dearest friend of 19 years. Shane was there from the beginning, not only did he witness the genesis and rise of Roseade, but he was an active participant. As Roseade moves into its next chapter following the tragic passing of Lee, we want to ensure that everyone who takes a sip of this crazy good drink knows exactly how it came to be - to that end, we asked Shane to share the story from his perspective…
What drove Lee?
Lee was passionate about getting the best out of himself and pushing his creative talents beyond the limits thought possible by others and even sometimes himself!There's a short story he shot of creating the bar for the Roseade stand that everyone knows and loves, it’s just a small glimpse as to how everything he did meant something more, and it showed in his work. It was never about the end result, it was all about the journey. The creation of Roseade was his greatest journey and he loved every step of the way.
So, how’d Roseade come to be?
One particular year, Lee had an excess of Rose following vintage at his family’s Chirping Bird winery on the Mornington Peninsula. Being creative and having the drive to innovate beyond the traditional bounds of a winery, Lee was thinking of ways he could repurpose the Rose. One night after a few wines he called me and said ‘I've got it… I’m going to make spritzers cool again!” - that right there was the beginning of what we all now know as Roseade’
Lee knew he wanted the product to be authentic, so he set about figuring out how to make a traditional lemonade to add to the Rose. Lee raided the family lemon tree until there were no lemons left, tried his hand at making a traditional lemonade and blended it with the Rose to create the first iteration - it didn’t taste quite as nice as it does today! However, Lee had proven that he could turn his vision into a reality.
Working his way through a phonebook of friends and family, hunting for anyone with a lemon tree, and following a solid six months of countless hangovers and further refinement, he’d perfected the recipe into the moreish delight we all love.
What were some interesting moments from your time working with Lee on creating Roseade as we know it?
Getting the first batch bottled… Yep they used to be in cute bottles! Finding the right people to get involved was also interesting, there was definitely some trial and error working with different suppliers to ensure the consistency of the product, it’s in a very good place now though.
Being a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Lee often got in his own way, things just weren’t quite perfect enough, but with a little guidance Lee lent into it and continued to push the brand forward. This ultimately culminated in the creation of Roseade’s brand identity and Lenny the Lemon, who perfectly characterises what it’s all about… A bit of cheeky fun.
What do you believe is the main factor for Roseade’s success thus far?
Lee was never about Lee! He was always on the lookout for opportunities to collaborate, bringing people in to join his and Roseade’s journey. He was stoked with other people’s stoke. When he saw a creative person pursuing their craft and passion, it rubbed off on him. He was eager to learn from them but also wanted to elevate and empower them alongside him. Lee crafted Roseade to be an inclusive company that helped other creatives, whether it be through collaborations that showcased others around him or simply being an ear to bounce off.
Do you have a favourite moment from the Roseade journey?
There are SO many… But if I had to pick one, it would have to be when Lee put Roseade on tap at Emu Plains Market for the first time. There was a line from the second we opened until we sold out! That’s when we knew we were onto something.
As far as you know, what were Lee’s aspirations for Roseade?
Lee wanted to grow Roseade into a household name, a regular choice of beverage for everyone, no matter the occasion. Whether you’re at the beach, a backyard get-together, weddings, or festivals… Lee wanted Roseade to provide the ‘Good Vibes’.
Lee’s family and friends are now tasked with honouring his legacy and continuing on the Roseade journey, creating a platform for creative collaboration, and spreading good vibes nationwide… One can at a time. We appreciate your continued love and support as we embark on this next chapter.