Where to drink wine in Melbourne’s south and east
FROM Belgrave to Berwick and Scoresby to Upper Beaconsfield, these are 14 wine bars to try for Friday night wines, a cheeky midweek vino or laid-back Sunday sesh.
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FORGET Friday night drinks.
Why wait when Melbourne’s south east is overflowing with wine bars and watering holes where you can enjoy a cheeky tipple any night of the week.
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Whether it's a cosy shiraz by the fire you’re after, or a sprawling cellar door experience, there are options aplenty to quench your wine thirst.
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1427 Malvern Rd, Malvern
This cosy Malvern wine bar has a focus on minimal-intervention and natural wines. As well as stocking long-loved varieties, Milton also has a selection of refined, new world offerings so you can drink the rainbow. Try: Little Things ‘More Than White’, a vibrant orange wine made from Adelaide Hills’ finest sauvignon blanc grapes.
Hotel Bruce County, 445 Blackburn Rd, Mount Waverley
Sit by the fire at Overflow Cafe and Wine Bar and enjoy a wine in the laid-back bistro of the Hotel Bruce County. Try: A glass of the Quealy pinot noir from the Mornington Peninsula.
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1395 Toorak Rd, Camberwell
You can bank on finding a drop you’ll love at Prohibition Food and Wine. Housed in a former bank building, this exposed brick and dark timber bar has the charm and ambience of a Spanish-style bodega coupled with the style and elegance of a fine diner. Try: It may as well be winter so go for the twice-cooked lamb ribs and some spicy Reschke ‘Vitulus’ Cabernet Sauvignon.
21/195 Wellington Rd, Clayton
Yummy food, craft beer and quality wines. Pizza and Prosecco Wednesdays — that is, all-you-can-eat Turkish-style pizza slices and a glass of Prosecco for $15 — are the ultimate hump day kitchen boredom cure.
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Mezzanine Level, Chadstone Shopping Centre
This light and bright garden-inspired cafe-come-bar is like an oasis of calm in the frenetic retail jungle that is Chadstone Shopping Centre. Drop the kids off at the movies then kick back with a dips platter and a glass of bubbles while you wait. Try: A glass of the Domaine Andre Delorme Blanc de Blancs from Rully, France, should do the trick.
Scoresby Village, 11 Lynton Pl, Scoresby
There’s nothing fancy about this south eastern wine seller but, if you’re looking for a local that ticks all the boxes, Sinbad’s might be it. With friendly service, warm hospitality, a relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices — this Scoresby Village wine dealer is a real corker. Grab a glass of wine, some house-made pizza and settle in for a lovely afternoon.
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4 Rocco Dr, Scoresby
Sunday sessions just got a whole lot better thanks to Beach Hut Brewery. With live music, a selection tap beers, fine wines and a limited bar menu — it’s the ideal spot for a Friday night or weekend tipple.
41 Bayview Rd, Officer
This Officer winery and cellar door dates back to 1994 when Domenico D’Angelo started planting pinot noir vines for himself in Montrose, Yarra Valley. By 1997 the grapes were ready to be harvested for the very first vintage and Benny D’Angelo made the first batch of wine, two barrels in total. Fast forward to now and there are two vineyards, one in Montrose and the other in Officer, along with a cellar door restaurant that slings fine wine and wood-fired pizza all year round. Try: A glass of the 2010 Fugiasto pinot noir made using Yarra Valley grapes.
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1/38 Lakeside Blvd, Pakenham
Boasting two New York-inspired bars (Timber Top bar downstairs and Honey Eater upstairs), a sprawling open-plan bistro and tapas bar, sidewalk servery, and rooftop balcony — the Lakeside Mill in Pakenham boasts some serious Friday night / Sunday sesh appeal. The wine list has a focus on local vintages and, for those who prefer their wine to be beer, there are 20 on tap.
7 Bayview Rd, Belgrave
While the focus at Oscar’s is on craft beers (they have more than 100 on offer), they also have a selection of local wines. Enjoy while being serenaded by local musicians.
1 Alber Rd, Beaconsfield Upper
Visiting Carlei Estate is like taking a trip to Italy. Looking out over Upper Beaconsfield’s picturesque rolling hills, drinking Italian-style reds, the smell of the woodfired pizza over filling the rustic barrel hall — you could almost be in Tuscany. Try one of their award-winning organic, biodynamic 5-star Halliday-rated reds.
81 High St, Berwick
Ambient wine, cocktail and tapas bar with a commitment to locally-sourced drops and produce. Grab a cheese platter and sticky and you’re set for the afternoon/night.
7/540 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Olinda
A boutique wine cellar with a big range and some seriously cool varietals. They also have a wide selection of spirits (local and imported), and their own hand-picked collection of rare and vintage wines. Plus, keep an eye out for their special wine and dinner events and Friday night tastings. Bottoms up!
3/80 Station St, Somerville
Wine, pizza, live music and a seriously chic fit-out. What’s not to love about this Somerville watering hole.
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