TRAVEL & WINE EXPERIENCES AROUND THE WORLD
Melbourne Australia
Published 14 Jul 2024
It's all about the Wines. Food. Cocktails. Vines.
Also see our article on Sydney.
Welcome to the food capital of Australia. From Jazz to Art, Coffee to Wines, chic bars to alley bars, Melbourne has plenty to offer, we just might have to write a few more editions to showcase the essence of this culinary and cultural mecca. Photo by Weyne Yew
Dining with Wines.
Wines are best enjoyed with food and friends.
Super Normal | A funky inspiration of our favourite Asian eating experiences. Influenced by the cuisine of Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Hong Kong, classic dishes are revisited and some new favourites born. Curated wine list from all regions of Australia to International wines.
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180 Flinders Ln, Melbourne
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https://supernormal.net.au/
Photo from Instagram/Supernormal
Mamasita | A focus on modern Mexican dishes, enhanced by a sensational variety of artisanal agave spirits, traditionally paired by cocktails and beers. They offer a wine pairing of artisanal Mexican distillates to pair with each course.
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Level 1/11 Collins St, Melbourne
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https://www.mamasita.com.au
Photo from Facebook/Mamasitamelb
Alta Trattoria | Alta focuses on Italian cuisine that's from the region of Piemonte, which is located at foot of the Alps and home to some of the boot nation’s most prized cuisine and wines. Paired elegantly with an impressive 18page wine list from mostly Italy, Australia and International.
274 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
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https://www.altatrattoria.com/
Photo from Instagram/Altatrattoria
Maha | Chef Shane Delia and the Maha team create Middle Eastern food like nothing you’ve tasted before; a hommage to traditional recipes with an innovative approach to Mediterranean flavours. Big on Vegan and Vegetarian options, it's also crafted with a list of Australia and International wines together with a non-alcoholic options with it's tasting menu. Starts from 95aud/65usd.
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21 Bond St, Melbourne
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https://www.maharestaurant.com.au/
Photo from Facebook/Maharestaurant
Wines Bars.
Here's some of our favorite wine bars to check out while in town.
Bijou Bottle Shop | A boutique bottle store and a chic wine bar in the heart of Melbourne. Aperitivo cheeses and cold cuts are available with wines. Have a good chat with the friendly Sommeliers too.
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194 Little Collins St, Melbourne
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https://www.bijoubottlestore.com
Photo from Facebook
King & Godfrey Deli | King and Godfree has been the Italian grocer store since 1884. From canned tomatoes, salumi, to the cheeses and the Italian wines, they are part of Melbourne since. A good selection of wines by glass and if you get talking to the sommelier, you get to try some of the Northern Italian wines from Agostino Cellar, which one of their venue inside/next door.
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293/297 Lygon St, Carlton
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Photo from Facebook
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D.O.C. Pizza and Mozzarella Bar | Famous for simple ingredients done well, with Wines, Cheeses and Salumi from all over Italy, it's a must try. Service is fast and furious like any wine bar in Italy and sometimes Italians working holiday in Australia if you like to practice your Italian.
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295 Drummond St, Carlton
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https://docgroup.net/pizza-carlton/
Photo from Facebook/Docpizza
Etta | Previously a old fish-and-chip shop, now Etta but fish is still on the menu! Drop in for a glass of wine and snacks or settle in for dinner. From the wines to produce, Etta believes in supporting the local community. Friendly team to have a chat about local regions of wines in Victoria.
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60 Lygon St, Brunswick East
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Photo from Facebook
Yugen Tea Bar | The art of tea is similar to the art of wine is evoking and engaging our senses. Let Thibaut, the Tea Sommelier bring you on a journey curated with inquisitiveness and respect. High tea sandwiches, desserts are on menu. And yes, cocktails and wines are on menu too.
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605 Chapel St at the Capitol Grand, South Yarra
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Photo from Facebook/yugenteabar
What's Drinking.
Lets check in with some of our locals about the wines that they are drinking. Photo by Maja Petric
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JJ, Sommelier, Sydney | One of my favourites is the Giant Steps Pinot Noir 2020. Jammy, Fruit forward and delicious. From apertivo to Main courses, this wine stand up quite well
Mad about Cocktails.
A vibrant tipple scene in Melbourne. Here are some of our must-visits.
Byrdi | Creating a uniquely Australian experience with a strong sense of time and place is Byrdi's mantra by creators Luke Whearty & Aki Nishikura. The seasonal cocktails are carefully crafted, sourced and made from local ingredients.
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L O B S T E R D I V E R
Distilled Sea Lettuce, Southern Rock Lobster, Davidson Plum, Lilly Pilly, Strawberry Eucalyptus
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211 La Trobe Street, GD075, Melbourne
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Photo from Facebook/byrdimelb
Four Pillars Gin Distillery | Located just one hour away from Melbourne in Healsville, Yarra Valley, Four Pillars started out as a small craft distillery and in 2019, 2020,2022 awarded World's Best Gin producer thrice Bookings are essential.
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2A Lilydale Rd, Healesville
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Photo from Website
Back to the Vines.
Victoria is the most interesting and dynamic wine region of Australia from the traditional to the new wave.
Yarra Valley.
Yarra Yering | One of the oldest and most beautiful vineyards in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. Established in 1969 by Dr Bailey Carrodus, the 1973 vintage saw production of the first vintage of Dry Red Wine No. 1 and Dry Red Wine No. 2.
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4 Briarty Rd, Gruyere VIC 3770
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Photo from Instagram/yarra_yering
Mac Forbes
Mac Forbes | The Yarra Valley is a unique cool climate wine region with a range of soil types, aspects and microclimates. Mac Forbes have several vineyards that they farm. These sites offer a snapshot of the exploration of Yarra Valley subregions from Woori Yallock Ferguson Vineyard to Spear Gully vineyard to Gladysdale vineyard as well as other sites to complete the understanding of Yarra Valley. Mac Forbes does not have a cellar door so check out the website for more information.
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Healsville.
Jayden Ong | Visiting the Jayden Ong Winery & Cellar Bar is one of the most captivating wine experiences in the Yarra Valley.
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8 Hunter Rd, Healesville VIC 3777
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Photo from Website
King Valley.
Pizzini Wines | The Pizzini family orginated from Trentino, Northern Italy and and landed in King Valley. Alfredo and Katrina Pizzini embarked on their winemaking journey back in the
late 1970s and in 1980's shifted focus to Italian grape varieties like Nebbiolo and Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Teroldego, Barbera, Dolcetto, Arneis, Garganega, Verdicchio.
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175 King Valley Rd, Whitfield
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Photo from Facebook/pizziniwines
Macedon Ranges.
Curly Flat | The Macedon Ranges is the coolest viticultural area on mainland Australia. After warm summer days, the crisp, cool evenings slowly ripens the grapes and help retain natural acidity. These are ideal conditions for varieties of the highly regarded Curly Flat Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
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263 Collivers Rd, Lancefield VIC 3435
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Photo from Website
Curated.
Angel is based in Melbourne
He is a Chef.
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JJ is based in Sydney.
He works as a Business First Cabin Crew and as a Sommelier and teaches hospitality.