Boutique wine label opens wine bar, cellar door in Darebin

An industrial warehouse will be home to a new urban wine bar from one of the Yarra Valley’s premier boutique wine labels. And with food trucks, a pizza oven and live music on the cards, it’s no wonder the owner is calling it his “odyssey”.

Owner Gary Mills at Jamsheed Wines in Preston. Picture: Josie Hayden

A fully independent urban winery will open in Preston by the end of October.

Boutique winemakers Jamsheed Wines have shipped their entire operation from the Yarra Valley to Preston and will open a wine bar on site.

The warehouse space will have the pop-up wine bar smack bang in the middle of the winery, surrounded by a Wolf & Swill pizza oven, food trucks and eventually live music.

“I’ve signed a 20-year lease — it’s my odyssey,” Jamsheed owner Gary Mills said.

“I’m putting every single cent into it.”

Jamsheed will produce around 7000 cases of wine this vintage. Picture: Josie Hayden

But while it will have masterclasses and tastings, don’t expect it to be a quiet cellar door.

Mr Mills said he fell in love with the idea of an urban winery while working in California and was excited to bring his label right to consumers.

“Wineries are a wonderful, mystical thing and you normally have to travel all the way out into the country to find them,” he said.

“This brings that fascination right to a cellar door in the city.”

Jamsheed’s first vintage was in 2003 and this year is expected to produce 7000 cases of 15 different varieties.

Mr Mills said he focused on drinkability and keeping his wines approachable, fun and of good quality.

“You can be the biggest wine geek or a first time drinker — it’s all available for everybody,” he said.

Jamsheed has relocated its entire winemaking operation to the Preston warehouse.

Mr Mills said to speed up the process Jamsheed was selling memberships, with all money going towards opening the wine bar.

Members get access to special discounts and events, as well as a birthday bar tab.

“We want to broaden our membership base and have people feel like they are part of the brand,” he said.

“There’s a lot more focus on the process rather than the product. People want to know, really want to see where their wine comes from.”

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“We’d love them to become members and gather a community.”

Jamsheed Wines is at 4 Albert St, Preston.

For more information visit the Jamsheed Wines website.

To donate to the bar and become a member, visit their Poszible fundraising page.

@richardapearce