WETSWOOD
313 Victoria St, Melbourne, westwood3003.com
Go for: Personal service from a team of wine and food obsessives
The room is tiny, the menu is bespoke and the guy who put the wine list together – owner Michael Underwood – is the same person who’ll ask you what you feel like drinking before tailoring a beverage to suit. It befits this bijou experience that Underwood has a connection with just about every wine, beer and spirit, and stories to share if you’re in a curious mood. They’re small-batch, mostly local and the price point is keen. Chef Jacob Muoio’s tasting menus are well-crafted progressions of seasonal fun – and everything is gluten free. Expect snacks like pig’s head croquette, kingfish with pickled apple, and grass-fed local beef with seasonal vegetables. If there’s a bottle you can’t live without, there’s an off-licence, too. DANI VALENT
Atlas Vinifera
274 Church St, Melbourne, atlasvinifera.com.au
GO FOR: Easy-going atmosphere and racks of hidden gems
Atlas Vinifera is a treasure trove for wine-lovers. Hidden gems stud the racks of this cosy neighbourhood wine store and bar, which boasts an extensive selection of international and local wines, and knowledgeable staff. By-the-glass offerings change weekly, showcasing a diverse variety of styles. From pedigree Tuscan reds to textural white blends from Adelaide Hills, there’s a balance of approachable and contemplative styles to suit all moods. Or you can settle in with a special off-the-shelf bottle; for just $15 corkage on top of bottle price, have your pick of the entire store. Throw in some cheese and antipasti to snack on, and this is the perfect place to while away a Sunday afternoon. Madeleine Horrigan
Royal MAIL HOTEL
98 Parker St, Dunkeld, royalmail.com.au
GO FOR: One of the largest Burgundy collections in Australia and slick service
With over 25,000 bottles in The Royal Mail Hotel’s cellar, prepare yourself for some tough decisions. This is destination drinking at its finest, paired with magnificent dining and luxurious tree-change accommodation. The Royal Mail Hotel is located three hours from Melbourne in the sleepy township of Dunkeld. The fine-dining restaurant, Wickens, delights guests with its creative tasting menu, based on kitchen-garden produce, and slick, friendly service. Casual dining at Parker Street Project also deserves a mention. On a warmer night, sit outside with beautiful views across Mount Sturgeon. Fear not, the staff are only too happy to let you select wine from the full cellar list. Nicole Bilson
leonie upstairs
Level 1, 15-17 Lincoln Square South, Melbourne, leonieupstairs.com.au
GO FOR: Sake and cocktails matched with temaki sushi and other snacks
Hidden above a Japanese ice cream den, Leonie Upstairs is an intimate, timbered sake bar and lounge that specialises in homestyle sushi hand rolls, amongst other tasty drinking snacks. There’s a fermented platter that includes smoked and pickled daikon mixed with cream cheese and egg salad, and a gorgeous scallop carpaccio dressed with shiso vinaigrette. The list of 50 or so sakes skews towards female brewers who are generally underrepresented in this industry. Want to cut straight to the premium stuff? Look for the junmai daiginjo section, which lists sake made with rice that has been polished to 50% or less its original size. The cocktails lean into sake too: there’s an umami-rich martini with shochu, sake and dry vermouth, and a spin on vodka tonic that includes sake and cucumber. DANI VALENT
bar romantica
52 Lygon St, Melbourne,
barromantica.com.au
GO FOR: The laid-back vibe and an ever-changing wine list of exciting finds
Deep red upholstered booths, the glow of candle light and an impressive American oak bar make Bar Romantica an ideal venue for a hot date. However, the chilled atmosphere and fantastic menus also entice friends connected by a love of food and wine. This is the kind of list a wine devotee lusts after. It’s not massive but its pages are filled with a beautifully curated selection of wines at reasonable prices (including small allocations from fabulous, lesser-known producers for those in the know).With a focus on local, sustainable and organic produce, the food delights as well. A wood-fired pizza oven sends out perfectly charred, chewy crusts, the pasta is house-made and the flavour combinations are always spot-on. Nicole Bilson
LITTLE ANDORRA
555 Nicholson St, Carlton North, littleandorra.com.au
GO FOR: understated elegance and the amazing fava bean dip with flatbread
With elegant décor, candlelit ambiance and a serious wine offering, Luke Bresnan’s intimate venue strikes the perfect balance between cosy, sophisticated and compelling. His collection of vinyl records and a refined Turkish-inspired menu complement an impressive and ever-changing list of local and international wines. For an exceptional drinking experience, take a seat at the bar and put yourself in the hands of the friendly and knowledgeable team. But be warned: it may prove difficult to resist that second bottle on a weeknight. Madeleine Horrigan
THOUSAND POUND
82 Main St, Rutherglen, thousandpound.com.au
GO FOR: City wine bar cred in a country setting
They say that if you need something done, you should ask a busy person. And so it is with Nick Brown’s role as Thousand Pound wine list manager. Already chief winemaker at All Saints Estate, Mount Ophir Estate and St Leonards Vineyard, the modest multi-tasker has delivered a drinks list that celebrates hyperlocal wares (from his own catalogue and others) as well as a smattering of Australian and global drops. Fortifieds get a good run by way of the region’s famed muscat and muscadelle. Located in Rutherglen in north-eastern Victoria, Thousand Pound is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, making it a popular haunt for wine-loving locals to unwind. The sophisticated list, modern fit-out and knowledgeable staff ensure visiting city slickers feel at home, too. Kate Symons
V WINE salon
Ground Floor, 673 Bourke St, Melbourne, vwinesalon.com
GO FOR: Bring an open mind and an empty belly, your midweek cheese game just got serious
A stone’s throw from Southern Cross Station, V Wine Salon serves as the neighbourhood hang-out nobody in Melbourne’s west-end knew they needed. Curated by Bordeaux-born Vianney Establet and venue manager Valentine Kuzniewski-Lebrun, the selection focuses on independent, producers, with 20 or so available by the glass. While gold-embossed menus showcase a diverse blend of local and international drops, there’s a distinctly French flare to the carefully curated patés and charcuterie. Or perhaps even to partake in a particularly indulgent truffle-laced triple cream from the impeccably kept cheese trolley. Christina Kaigg-Hoxley
WINE CORNER
50 Princes St, Carlton North VIC thewinecorner.melbourne
GO FOR: just A visit, but leave as a local
If not located on a corner, this place would be called Steve’s place. For Steve, the owner, welcomes everyone as if it were home. The Wine Corner started life as a boutique bottleshop, but just before Covid, Steve Mifsud added some seats, a couple of beer taps, and a small but interesting by-the-glass list, which changes frequently. His staff are knowledgeable and encourage you to ask questions and be adventurous on every purchase. Australian wines are well represented, but it’s the interesting Old World drops that add variety to the line-up. All of the wines deserve to be complemented by the delicious tapas and sharing plates that can be enjoyed on a sunny day on the al fresco terrace. Angharad Davies
SIGLO
2/161 Spring St, Melbourne, siglobar.com.au
GO FOR: Fresh air, exceptional views and a well stocked cellar
Climb the spiral timber staircase at the back of Melbourne Supper Club and you’ll find yourself in a truly unique space. Siglo is nestled amongst the rooftops of Spring Street, with stunning views over Parliament house, St Patrick’s Cathedral and the domes of the Princess Theatre. Sophisticated yet relaxed with a distinctly Parisian vibe (think wicker chairs and white clothed tables) it’s the perfect way to while away a balmy Melbourne evening. But don’t be put off if the infamous Melbourne weather lives up to its ‘four seasons in one day’ reputation. Canvas awnings and patio heaters will protect you from the elements. Sit back and relax while the knowledgeable staff guide you through an extensive menu of classic cocktails, fine wine, Champagnes and international beers. If you are so inclined, pair an XO Cognac or one of the 70-plus whiskies on offer with a fine Havana Cigar from the humidor.
Ellen Erickson
geelong cellar door
97/99 Little Malop St, Geelong geelongcellardoor.com.au
GO FOR: A snapshot of one of Victoria’s most underrated wine regions.
Often to get a feel for a region, you need time, wheels and a designated driver. Not at the Geelong Cellar Door, which is a truly local wine bar, acting as a one-stop shop for all the epicurean delights from the greater Geelong region. Sat in the heart of Little Malop Street in the town centre, it’s also the best spot for locals to unravel a yarn over some good wine, good beers, local cheese and charcuterie platters. John Helmer, the owner, is a stalwart of the region, so the perfect host and curator of such an experience. Angharad Davies
All photography supplied by venues.