Groups of young Canberrans ventured out to the region's vineyards last month to create a potentially volatile mixture - politics and wine-tasting.
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Grapevine is the brainchild of consultancy group Consult Australia and young volunteers FutureNet, with the aim to foster civil debate outside of social media's frenzied bubble.
Consult Australia's ACT state manager Kevin Keith said the idea was a way to engage Canberra's young, creative people.
"The debate becomes so polarised, so quickly; there's inputs that sort of stirs up the debate. We're trying to counter that, face-to-face in an open environment," Mr Keith said
"What we're looking to do is debate city issues in the region, but also provide a creative space for these conversations to take place."
"The way in which social media works, we tend to talk in closed bubbles. What's different about face-to-face conversation, particularly in a group context, you talk to people you don't know."
The event touched on three themes: tolerance and inclusiveness; technology; and attracting talent.
Participants were asked politically-charged questions, then sampled wine before putting their glasses down on the answer they agreed with and were encouraged to explain why.
Mr Keith said the wine-tasting element was a way to get young Canberrans out to see the region and appreciate what it had to offer.
FutureNet member Liam Blight led one of the debates on how Canberra could attract more talent.
"One of the questions proposed was, do we do enough to share Canberra and say what it is?" Mr Blight said.
Mr Blight said the event had received a lot of positive feedback and they'd be looking to host another one soon.
"Having vineyards within 20 minutes of the city is something we can exploit," Mr Blight said.
Mr Blight said it was important to have an event actually targeted at young people, as their opinions weren't often heard in Australian politics.
