Soumah – South of Maroondah so this wine’s all about place and optimising the conditions to come up with something that speaks for the year, with just a little bit of the winemakers’ inflection. Marzemino is traditionally a Trentino grape that’s robust and full of big, dark fruits, some lovely savoury tones, and chalky tannins. This nails that, but gives just a little Yarra brightness and approachability.

Soumah Single Vineyard Marzemino 2023

Grown in one of our favourite Yarra Valley subregions, Dixons Creek, this is a cool climate-styled Shiraz that’s full of true-to-style dark fruits like violets and dark plums, whilst still being easy-drinking in the Bistro way – just like that inspiring Syrah we loved in the Rhône Valley too long ago.

BISTRO Shiraz 2022

Onannon Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2024

All melody, no naïvety. This is the latest in our series on place and focuses on a darling region, Heathcote. This has everything we love because home is where we want to be, so there’s mulberry, peonies, compote spice and liqueured forest berries delivered glass after glass. There’s no need to speak in tongues, this is approachable and for everyone at the table.

This Must Be The Place Heathcote Shiraz 2023

From the dusty tannins and ripe acidity that are the core of the profile to the lifting aromatics and unique, alpine freshness and minerality that seems to come through with just a smidge of mint. This is delicious vino to elevate your meal, or company.

Triacca Alpi Nebbiolo 2021

Kurtz Family Seven Sleepers Shiraz 2022

It starts with some citrussy snap but thanks to considerable time on lees, it flows into a textural minerality that’ll have the wine complementing your steak, lamb or tofu as it melts in your mouth. You won't want it to finish, but when it does it’ll be chalky and persistent with some cooling herbs, and a big grin. Cheers!

Municipal Whitegate Vineyard Savagnin 2022

A wine with plenty of complexity that’s bold like a neighbour who never turns the music down, but plays what you love and don’t mind hearing. Fruits are all crunchy and red, but there’s also some blackberry and the tannins are dusty meaning this gets along with a steak – lion’s mane or beef. It also spent just enough time in oak to add a little extra velvet wallpaper.

Amen Break Gravelly Gully Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023

Doug sits at about 500m in altitude, making for a cool-climate wine that’s made with Mother Vine 6 fruit – a powerful and robust Pinot Noir clone – you can expect concentrated depth and power that’s engaging, thought-provoking, and silky. This feels like a Pinot to impress with, and one to cellar for a few years at least if you want to see it blossom a little more, we’re always down now or later.

Joshua Cooper Dougs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023

This one is for the people who love a slightly fuller rosé and welcome some nutty richness. It’ll drink very well in the park, under cloudcover, or in the sunshine, and might just be the best thing about a dinner party. We know that’s a big call, but it’s an amazing wine.

Tim Ward I'll Fly Away Syrah Rose 2021

Textured wax that plays like the best vinyl, smooth and hitting all the notes you want and a couple you didn’t even know about. From the honey blossom ripeness to the spritely, pithy, mineral feel that flows over the palate, this is one to come back for and to take BYOing.

Velich Welsch Riesling 2022

Sooty and savoury with a black olive edge and some spices that’ll be there for you all through Spring and on cold Summer nights. Cheers to all the generous mulberry, plums and that little leafy, spiced oak. It’s literally the ‘jewel’ in our Merlot/Cabernet section, so if you like shiny rocks and you were meant for me, then I was meant for you.

Gioiello Estate Merlot 2019

Take it to a dinner party, but don’t make a big deal about it, you’ll get more that way. The tannins have a little sappy snap and there’s good concentration, but it’s fresh all the way and has a crisp outlook that’s cheese friendly.

Precipice Pinot Noir 2023

A youthful Shiraz awaits! All wound up but will uncoil nicely in your glass while keeping just an edge of compactness. If you want, you can give it a couple of years to really develop and blossom a wider bouquet of peppery spice, blackberry and genuine tannin. A gifting wine if there ever was one.

Paralian Springs Hill Shiraz 2023

Amen Break Backbeat Cabernet Franc 2021

A big red to spend the evening with, made with a blend of fruit from Longview's single vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. The Cab Sauv sits upfront on the nose with autumnal leafy characters mingling with blue fruits, before the Shiraz starts shine through on the palate adding a little extra fruit weight, all integrated with some well placed oak.

Longview LV Shiraz 2022

A Grenache dominant blend with a splash of Syrah in the mix. Fruit for this wine was lightly extracted before spending 18 months in tank to develop the flavours—expect a delicate yet engaging wine with small red berries, sandy tannin and a delightfully silky feel.

Celler Comunica Vi del Mas Grenache Syrah 2022

Effervescent with caramelised pear, vanilla spice, kombu, and honeyed fruit. Beautifully round and refreshingly balanced. (750ml) *Non-alcoholic

NON 2 Caramelised Pear Kombu

This is a great introduction to French cider for those looking to try something a little different. Handmade and patiently crafted, with notes of fresh apple, hazelnut, and a whisper of funk. Semi-dry with a refreshingly bittersweet finish, this cider makes a fantastic aperitif before a long lunch. (375ml) 5.5% ABV

Manoir Du Kinkiz Fouesnant Cider

A richly-fruited McLaren Vale Shiraz showing off everything there is to love about this pocket of South Australia. Dark berries and plums play alongside some graphite-like minerality, and prominent tannins thanks to a good dollop of French oak. This drinks like a warm embrace on a cool night, while Smooth Operator plays softly in the background.