South Melbourne’s side streets are going to get a bit more traffic these days. Turn off the main drag at Moray St and onto Bank St because the Bellota Wine Bar is well worth the detour.
Attached to The Prince Wine Store, this sleek and chic watering hole makes going to the bottle shop so much more fun.
Head inside the wine store, turn right and you’re face to face with a bite-sized charcuterie, lovingly tended by a waiter who mans the meat slicer with care.
Wine gurus Philip Rich, Michael McNamara and Alex Wilcox are the brains behind the business and they’ve set up shop the way a connoisseur would want it.
Settle in at the bar and peruse wines by the glass, taster or carafe. The staff are eager to show off their favourite drops and 50ml tasters that sit at around $4 – 5 and are a great way to go if they’ve got a few different recommendations.
Mornington Peninsula Pinot noirs to Bourgognes from Burgundy, the boys from Bellota have tried hard to give our palettes a world view.
Brigitte Hafner from The Gertrude St Enoteca knows what wine drinkers like to eat too. Moreish jamon and cheese croquettes, pommes frites and fresh seafood from the crustacean bar are perfect for snacking while sipping.
Bellota Wine Bar
Tuesday – Friday 11am – 10pm, Saturday 11am – 11pm
T: (03) 9078 8381
181 Bank St, South Melbourne
