Buzzing Bentleigh wine bar gets into the spirit with pay it forward scheme this Christmas
With balmy summer nights ahead, buzzing Bentleigh wine bar Wolfe and Molone is busy restocking the rose and filling up glorious cheese platters. But the owners are calling on customers to pay it forward this Christmas. Here’s how.
Inner South
Don't miss out on the headlines from Inner South . Followed categories will be added to My News.
The idea of opening a wine bar was merely a daydream for Ormond woman Tanya Hanouch, as she clicked away at the keyboard during her time working in IT.
But in 2016, the 41-year-old finally turned her back on the corporate job life and followed her gut, opening up buzzing Bentleigh drinks and nibbles hub Wolfe and Molone with sister Monique.
Now, the bar is getting into the festive spirit, encouraging its sippers to ‘pay it forward’ for people in need this Christmas.
The Hanouch sisters have been dishing up the finest local drops to their local community for two years, attributing their bar’s warm vibes, good food and dreamy cheeseboards to their love for ‘old-school’ hospitality and their Lebanese roots.
“It’s a passion for me, I’ve wanted to do this for a long time, before wine bars were a ‘thing’,” Tanya said.
“Wolfe and Molone is an extension of our own home. We invite people to come in, catch up and chill out over some beautiful drinks and food.”
The sisters have signed their business up to the national #Dinesmart initiative, where customers can elect to add a donation to help those in need ahead of the festive season.
“We’re proud to do anything to help, and to give back to the community,” Tanya said.
Named after the two sons of a 19th-century Prahran land owner where Hanouch sister’s father opened a milk bar, the Centre Rd wine bar is ready to splash into the near year, with the calendar overflowing with special lunches and events.
With more balmy Melbourne nights ahead, Tanya has been busy restocking ever-popular bottles of fizzling rose -glasses of which have been popularly paired with seasonally inspired arancini bites with pureed cauliflower and shaved pecorino cheese.
A rotating and expansive wine cellar will leave all fine wine lover’s tongues wagging, with housemate artisan bread, lemon and honey saganaki croquettes, twice cooked spiced chicken ribs and delectable desserts all making the perfect match.
Those looking for a more adventurous culinary experience can put their plate’s fate in the hands of the bar’s experts with the ‘feed me menu’ – where their drop of choice is professionally paired with cold cured meats and creamy cheeses.
MORE NEWS
MELBOURNE’S WORST SUBURBS FOR BURGLARIES
The sisters are already taking bookings for the bar’s upcoming Christmas lunches and Wine, Whiskey and Chocolate tasting event, and also hosted a Pups & Pinot dog-friendly day last weekend.
“The world of wine is so dynamic … we’re ready to get creative with bold ideas, new experiments and great events,” Tanya said.
“Understanding the journey and process of how it gets from earth to vine to bottle, and learning more about the people who make this happen, makes the experience of drinking it even more special.”
The #Dinesmart program runs until the end of December.
For information on events coming up at Wolfe and Molone and to book, visit www.wolfeandmolone.com.au
brittany.goldsmith@news.com.au
TEXT