Familiar faces to open Sanctuary Cove's new enoteca

It is closing in on 40 years since the eyes of the world were on the opening of Sanctuary Cove. 

Owner Mike Gore spared no expense on "The Ultimate Event" back in 1988 with entertainment from Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston and Peter Allen. 

What a time we had, despite the rain. Thanks Patti Mostyn. 

All those years on I'm still writing about the Gold Coast drawcard with top hospo operators Max and Amanda Alfieri to open a new Italian-style wine bar at the resort next month. 

Zio Italian Enoteca will see the former owners of popular Italian restaurant Ioesco will bring their passion for Italian food, wine and hospitality back to the Cove. 

Located in Building Four on Masthead Way, along the village’s main thoroughfare, Zio Italian Enoteca will offer seating for approximately 70 guests, with both indoor and outdoor dining available.

“We are incredibly excited to return to Sanctuary Cove and to be part of [developer] Mulpha’s vision for the future of the Village,” the duo said. “We look forward to contributing to the vibrant dining and lifestyle experience that makes Sanctuary Cove such a unique destination.”

Zio Italian Enoteca will offer a selection of local and international wines, paired with traditional Italian antipasto-style offerings including freshly sliced cured meats, artisan cheeses, crusty breads and seasonal accompaniments. 

As the venue settles into spring, the menu will expand to feature a broader range of authentic Italian specialty dishes. 

“Sanctuary Cove has always been home to us,” said Max Alfieri. “Zio Italian Enoteca gives us the opportunity to share the flavours, traditions and discoveries we have experienced across Italy. From regional wines to time-honoured food traditions, we hope to bring a little piece of Italy to the Cove.”

Where to enjoy Tasmanian wines with a touch of sea spray

 

There are few better gourmet experiences than enjoying a glass of wine with some freshly shucked oysters while taking on some spectacular water views. 

The recently opened Le Gulch wine bar in Bicheno, on Tasmania's east coast, overlooks the churning waters of the the local gulch, a natural breakwater.  

Years ago, the venue was home to the Blue Waters seafood factory. A couple of decades ago you could visit to enjoy a roasted crayfish paired with Apsley Gorge wines. 

Now the venue has re-opened in the space known as Bicheno Winery, used for winemaking by Apsley Gorge owner Brian Franklin, who is known for producing outstanding Burgundy-inspired pinots noir. 

The Le Gulch Wine Bar is operated by Myles Franklin, son of Brian, together with business partner Shelley Bickerstaff, a wine industry veteran. 

There is a super chilled coastal vibe with a small but thoughtful selection of wines by the glass, from French rosé to Tassie bubbles and local labels like Freycinet Estate, along with current and back-vintage Apsley Gorge releases. 

The snack menu offers oysters, cheese and charcuterie plates, served, when we visited last week, by a charming French hospitality operative. Local beers and spirits are also on offer. 

"We are ready to welcome a new generation of guests to experience the magic of this east coast location and catch up with old friends," Myles Franklin says. 

It would be all too easy to settle in for a long session here. 

Summer opening hours are Wednesday-Thursday 3-8pm; Friday-Saturday 1-8pm and Sundays 1-6pm. 

You'll find Le Gulch at 54 Waubs Esplanade, Bicheno. See https://www.legulch.com/

From Adelaide to Paris in 10 seconds

Walk through a doorway in an Adelaide laneway and you are instantly transported from South Australia to a Paris-style bar a vins.

I discovered La Buvette last week - a welcoming cross between Willi's and the Baron Rouge. 

There is the blackboard menu of mainly French wines by the glass; all reasonably priced. 

There is a food  menu featuring  classics like fresh oysters with mignonette; escargots a l'Alsacienne and boeuf bourguinon.

And there is an un mistakeable French joie de vivre.

Apparently it has been on Gresham St for years, with wine industry figure John Retsas a partner. But somehow it had passed me by. My bad. 

I popped in for a glass of Chablis. Next time I'll spend the evening. Maybe start with a Suze Tonic, or pastis and take it from there. 

There is a definite Euro-chic ambience here and seriously knowledgeable staff. 

You can even enjoy a drink on the sidewalk on warmer days. 

La Buvette is open Tuesday-Saturday. 

For more details see https://www.labuvettedrinkery.com.au/

Brokenwood adds music to its menu

Brokenwood is one of the "must visit" cellar doors in the Hunter Valley - and now there is even more reason to drop by on a Friday night.

Every Friday in April, Brokenwood's Terrace Wine Bar will offer wine, live music, and dishes from the Raw Bar from 3:30pm to 7pm.

The Brokenwood team is promoting the Friday night events as featuring "a delightful selection of wines carefully curated to tantalise your taste buds and elevate your senses".

The line-up is: Friday 5th: Anna Weatherup; Friday 12th: Jake Folbigg; Friday 19th: Anaiya and
Friday 26th: Bobby C.

Guests are also being encouraged stay on for dinner at The Wood Restaurant to sample the new autumn menu.

New dishes include grilled Wollombi leeks with flaked North Queensland spanner crab, fine herbs and hazelnut vinaigrette; market fish with a ratatouille of autumn vegetables and Basque-style cheesecake.

There is an à la carte menu or a 'Feed Me' option. 

The restaurant is open for lunch Friday to Tuesday and for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.

See https://www.brokenwood.com.au/

Circular Quay welcomes a hip new wine bar

Circular Quay in Sydney will this week welcome a new wine bar with a idiosyncratic food offering.

Mulpha Hospitality Group will on Friday open the doors to Bar Messenger, situated next to the iconic InterContinental Sydney Hotel.

The wine selection will include labels from the group's Bimbadgen and Alter wines in the Hunter Valley, as well as from around the world.

So think names like Taittinger, Henschke, Craggy Range and Moss Wood by the glass paired with snacks like taramasalata, smoked salmon and confit sardines. 

The art deco interior of the venue draws inspiration from its heritage and a sculpture depicting the Roman God Mercury.



Opening just in time for the Vivid Sydney festival, the venue aims to provide a "sophisticated yet relaxed ambiance" for both wine enthusiasts and casual drinkers.

With a seating capacity of 120, this venue will feature wines chosen by venue manager Aaron Rothe.

To complement the wine selection, Bar Messenger will offer a menu of small grazing items such as charcuterie boards, salumi selections and share plates, as well as classic Aussie toasties.

“We are delighted to announce the opening of Bar Messenger and are thrilled to welcome guests to our establishment," says Mulpha GM Belinda Stapleton.

"The team is incredibly excited about this unique venture, as it allows us to provide an exceptional wine and food experience to our patrons. Our shared passion for quality wine and delectable cuisine is at the heart of what we offer."

Bar Messenger will be on Wednesday and Thursday 3pm- late; Friday noon-late and Saturday 3pm-late.

Images: Tim Pascoe

Melbourne wine lovers should lock in this new destination

Melbourne has a new destination for wine lovers with the opening this week of Olivine wine bar in a new $1 billion dining and entertainment precinct on the old Pentridge Prison site. 

Perfect for a lock in!

Pentridge’s former cells have been transformed into a wine bar with a walk-in cellar door, intimate booths and a wine list curated by a star sommelier. 

Olivine seats 100 guests and features a list of more than 500 labels from local and international producers that has been crafted by sommelier Liinaa Berry.

“Our wine list is called the Book of Wine,” Berry says. 

“It has been curated to give context and narrative to wine, while watercolour illustrations [by local artist Elizabeth Nicholls] add punctuation to the text.

“The Book of Wine is categorised into chapters to give guests context. If you look for context that you like, then you will find the wines you love.. 

“The Book of Wine begins with a foreword and a synopsis and ends with an epilogue. The synopsis, for example, lists 150 wines that represents the diversity of the wine world. They are listed by stylistic expression, so it is easy to navigate.”

The chapters that follow are called the Producer’s Series, showcasing 35 producers and 350 wines across Australia and Europe. 

“Here, we put a lens to the people behind the wine,” says Berry. “We share stories of the rising stars, unsung heroes, and more established vignerons. We also dive deep into their historical significance, their defining style and regionality.

”Wine enthusiasts will find great pleasure in the classics and natural wine lovers will be delighted with some unusual suspects.” 

Olivine’s grazing menu features dishes like Japanese scallop tarts with a yuzu emulsion and dried tomato powder, and house-made chicken liver parfait with muscat and a brown butter tuile.

To keep non-wine lovers happy, there is a selection of signature cocktails and over 90 craft spirits, which have been sourced mainly from artisan producers. 

In a nod to Pentridge’s former role, small brass sparrows adorn the windows - a sculptural representation of the radio DJ called “Sparrow” who once lived inside the prison and served as a medium to convey messages between prisoners and their loved ones.

Berry will also curate the wine list for neighbouring restaurant North & Common, which is set to open in May.

For more details see www.olivinewinebar.com.au

Molto makes a big impact in Hobart

A question I get asked a lot: How good is Molton?

Offering serious wines in a casual setting, Molto is a relatively new wine bar and wine shop on the fringe of the Hobart CBD.

Molto, which means many, or plenty, in Italian is the latest venture for the perpetual motion Lubiana family, fifth-generation winemaker Steve Lubiana, his wife Monique and their sixth-generation winemaker son Marco.

Molto’s wine selection is based on the family’s own passion for organic, biodynamic and artisan wines from around the world.

In the second half of 2020 they acquired this space on the fringe of the Hobart CBD, but their opening was repeatedly delayed by Covid and other issues.

Their heritage sandstone and red brick house on Melville Street was chosen partially because it faces south, reducing light and warmth - the enemies of wine in storage.

 The Lubianas describe Molto as a “hybrid wine shop” where customers can pair small bites of food along with a glass or bottle of wine from one of Tasmania’s most intriguing wine lists, featuring small producers and rare imports.

Perhaps a grenache blanc or pinotage from South Africa; or an aged small-batch 1er Cru Chablis. 

The vibe is centred on sustainability and quality. 

When I popped in midweek this week it was buzzing - and the staff were cheerful and knowledgeable. 

Think after-work drinks, or a pre-dinner tipple from local stars including Freycinet Vineyard, Tolpuddle, Stargazer, Mewstone or Anim, or a mainland classic from Cullen or Castagna.

This week, back vintage stars from By Farr were on offer by the glass. As was the rare 2011 Domaine A Cabernet. 

Serious vinophiles beware, it is easy to spend big here - but you can also just a enjoy a pre-dinner glass, or share a platter.

Molto is at 135 Melville St, Hobart. www.facebook.com/molto-hobart/

Wine bar gives female musicians a lift

A female-owned wine bar in suburban Melbourne is giving a helping hand to local female musicians.

Ericka Argiris from Murrumbeena Wine Bar has recruited a line-up of young female musicians who match the bar’s mood, giving them a spotlight and an audience that will hopefully help kickstart their careers.

Argiris says she wants to emphasize the importance of giving local female artists the spotlight.

She says she often scouts local talent from the the Melbourne Musicians Facebook page if she believes they would complement her venue.

One of her long-standing favourites is Abbey Williams, who performs jazz songs with her 50s-style microphone every Sunday afternoon.

Mia Pisano is a local acoustic folk singer who performs a mixture of her own songs and popular covers while Ruby Mae was one of Murrumbeena Wine Bar’s first artists and occasionally makes a reappearance with her blend of rock, folk and punk.

Music is something that Argiris has wanted to incorporate into her venue since it opened in 2019.

“Each of our artists has their unique sound, even when they play covers, and I encourage them to play their own music too,” she says.

The wine list features a number of smaller wineries including West Cape Howe, Kate Hill, Stargazer and Atze's Corner available by the glass - along with some imports and a small list of "natural" wines.

The bar's caters to a wide range of tastes including offering grazing platters (with a Vegan alternative), and small plates like salt and pepper calamari, and jalapeno poppers. Hand-made Wagyu cheeseburger spring rolls sound intriguing.

There is also a broad list of cocktails, ciders and spirits.

For more info about the wine bar and its weekly schedule of live performances, see www.murrumbeenawinebar.com.au/.

Sydney's newest wine bar to offer a taste of Europe

Sydney’s newest CBD wine bar, Vini Divini, has opened with a huge central bar, al fresco seating, a Mediterranean wine-influenced menu and a wine wall stocking more than 1000 bottles from 10 different countries, as curated by Rockpool Dining Group’s former head sommelier.

Vini Divini will offer one of the biggest “by the glass” selections in Sydney and the diverse wine list has been designed to be accessible, showcasing producers from around the Mediterranean ; from regions of France, Italy and Spain as well as countries such as Greece, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey. 

Star local labels like the Canberra region's Clonakilla, Rikard from Orange and Vinden Estate from the Hunter Valley are also featured. 

Meaning “divine wines” in Italian and aiming to embody la dolce vita (the sweet life), Vini Divini will focus on the enjoyment of wine, food and good company with a European vibe.

French-born sommelier Raphael Mulligan collaborates with small, independent winemakers and distributors to regularly update the list, drawing on his experience heading the wine program at Eleven Bridge, as well as working at Rosetta, Rockpool and Tapavino.

Complementing the wines is a menu of delicious Mediterranean dishes and mezzé-style plates led by chef Seda Güç, including baba ganoush made fresh each morning, beetroot-marinated artichokes with toasted almonds, slow-cooked lamb shoulder with fregola salad and caramelised apple, and a selection of salumi and cheeses.

Adding to the Mediterranean vibe is Vini Divini’s interiors, featuring wall-length prints of iconic Italian movie stars Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni (sounds dated to me, but there you go), the wine wall sourced from Italy, a slab of Iranian rainbow pink onyx on the kitchen island-style bar, velvet armchairs, plush rugs from Belgium and that outdoor seating overlooking Wynyard Park.

The wine bar also offers a private dining room tucked away at the back.

“Vini Divini is all about bringing people together to laugh, enjoy wine, break bread, and share stories and ideas,” said Belgian-born owner Philippe Gilbert.

“Close relationships with friends and family, and the interactions one has in a community, are central to the Mediterranean lifestyle – and we wanted to bring this to life at Vini Divini.”

The newest addition to the Brookfield Place precinct at 60 Carrington Street near Wynyard, Vini Divini is open Monday to Friday for all-day dining from noon to late.

See www.vinidivini.com.au.