Melbourne wine: 22 of the best wine bars in Melbourne’s north
FAMILY-run nooks, bars specialising in local vintages, hand-picked cheese and charcuterie — here’s what you need to know to wine your way around Melbourne’s north.
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THERE’S nothing quite like a local wine pilgrimage and, for Melbourne’s lucky northerners, you don’t have to travel far to find places of wine-soaked worship.
Whether you’re looking for natural wines made locally in the Yarra Valley, newschool rieslings from Adelaide’s Clare Valley, interesting new varietals from Europe or proper, imported French fizz — we’re popping the cork on the best vinotecas in Melbourne’s north.
BEST WINE BARS IN MELBOURNE’S NORTH
A family-run wine bar and bottle shop that has been in the Carlei family for four generations (it was purchased by Nonno Carlei in 1948). This place exudes old-school Italian hospitality and charm, which is exactly what makes it so great. The 100-plus bottles strong wine list is also a bonus. Try: A bottle of Tuscan maker Stefano Amerighi’s biodynamic shiraz (he was just named the top viticulturalist in Italy, which is pretty much the wine industry equivalent of winning an Oscar). For something local, try the Carlei Tre Rossi (nebbiolo, barbera, shiraz). And, for more pizza and plonk goodness, check out the family’s Upper Beaconsfield winery and cellar door, Carlei Estate.
83 High St, Northcote
The menu features grilled raclette, the perfect accompaniment to a rotating list of exclusively Victorian wines hand-picked from makers in Beechworth and the Bellarine to Gippsland and the Grampians.
48 Smith St, Collingwood
Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and wine. So all of the most important meals of the day. It’s owned by celebrated chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell (Cumulus, Cutler & Co, Supernormal, Meatsmith), so you know it's’s going to be a good vintage. Try: Sitella’s sparkling chenin blanc from the Swan Valley in WA. It’s made in the traditional method — dry with crisp apple notes and a gentle nuttiness that pairs beautifully with seafood. Like Marion’s prawn, horseradish and nasturtium roll.
53 Gertrude St, Fitzroy
Mexican fare and wine anyone? Mexican cheese, creamed corn, jalapeño and chipotle toasties and wine. It’s pretty much the ultimate Friday night knock-off treat. Or a Monday night celebration sip, if that’s how you roll. Try: Bowerbird Syrah (shiraz) from Sunbury.
181 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North
Natural wine store, wine bar and tasting room, stocking mostly independent and local wine makers. Try: A glass of Yume Wine’s skin-contact old-vine semillon, crafted from 38-year-old Yarra Valley vines that have been ecologically managed for the last two years. Warning: you’ll probably want the bottle.
7 Florence St, Brunswick
A cellar door experience in the heart of the Brunswick’s bustling Sydney Road strip. Each wine comes with suggested cheese and charcuterie pairings to enhance the experience. There’s also a selection of gourmet pizzas, in case you decide to stay for the bottle. Try: Tellurian marsanne
5/601 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
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Based on the Italian-style enoteca. All wines are available by the glass or the bottle and you can snack on cured meats, cheeses, pickled seafood and olives while you swig them back. Try: Bindi Wines Kostas Rind Chardonnay from the Macedon Ranges, made by respected winemaker Michael Dhillon.
472 Lygon St, Brunswick East
A constantly changing wine list sourced from near and far, driven by biodynamic and organic wines. They even have a selection of non-alcoholic spirits — for those times when you want a drink without the alcohol. Or the hangover. Try: After something a little different? Have a crack at a glass of Blatina — a medium-bodied Bosnian red with rich cherry, earthy beetroot and a hint of pepper and dry spice.
129 Lygon St, Brunswick East
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It’s not just the wine at this Carlton bar that is ever changing — a rotating selection of seasonal, ripe and fresh cheeses is updated weekly, too. For those who take their cheese with a side serve of perfectly matched wine (rather than the other way around).
323 Lygon St, Carlton
Light and bright wine store with cosy booth seats housed in a 19th century building on the corner of Drummond and Faraday streets.
172-174 Faraday St, Carlton
An Italian-leaning wine list and Mediterranean-inspired tapas are a pairing made in grape juice heaven. Try: A glass of DOCG Tuscan chianti. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita — or controlled and guaranteed denomination of origin) is the highest classification in Italian wines.)
639 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
When Gino Di Santo opened the original Enoteca Sileno in Amess St, Carlton North, in 1982, it was the first place in Australia that specialised in Italian wines and the first business to use the word Enoteca in its name. Try: Their exclusive range of Produttori del Barbaresco wines.
920 Lygon St, Carlton North
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With more than 400 bottles of wine, 140 craft beers and the option to BYO food, there is a lot to love about this Moonee Valley vinotcea. Stop in for some quality sips, live music and charcuterie boards.
18-20 Hall St, Moonee Ponds
What’s strange about this love? Nothing, we say. It’s like a lolly shop for grown ups that sells wine and cocktails instead of candy and chocolate.
577 Mount Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds
From the same vin-folk who brought you Seddon Wine Store comes Ascot Vale’s trendiest sip-in or takeaway watering hole. Polished concrete floors, white-painted exposed brick walls and ceiling-to-floor shelves stocked with wines from Victoria and beyond. Try: A glass of Koerner’s minimal intervention vermentino from the Clare Valley.
211 Union Rd, Ascot Vale
Casual wine bar and bottle shop with a globally inspired line list and locally minded menu to match. Forgot to pick up a bottle on the way home? Don’t worry — they deliver.
543-545 High St, Northcote
Stuzzichini are Italy’s answer to Spanish-style tapas and the delectable share-style plates are great for those nights when you just want to sit around chatting, snacking and sipping on fine wine. We’re all about the cannoli and dessert wine (or a Kahlua coffee). Salute.
176 Burgundy St, Heildelberg
Montmorency’s finest wine bar, beer garden and acoustic music hub, offering an extensive selection of fine wines and craft beers from both local and international makers. Try: A glass of Enchanted Garden Riesling from Eden Valley in South Australia.
10 Were St, Montmorency
DARK HORSE CAFE, WINE & PRODUCE
A cafe, wine and produce store in the heart of the Yarra Valley’s leafy wedge, Kangaroo Ground. Try: A glass of local winemaker Rob Dolan’s rose, made from a mix of merlot, pinot gris and cabernet sauvignon grapes, the perfect antipasto pairing.
765 Eltham-Yarra Glen Rd, Kangaroo Ground
A cafe and wine bar named after a Tom Waits songs? Count us in. With natural wine, craft beer, breakfast booze (hello, mimosas and Mexican hot chocolates) and haloumi sandwiches — we’re pretty sure we’re addicted already. Try:
937B Main Road, Eltham
HAVE WE MISSED YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
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