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Vinesmith Wine Group debuts its city cellar door, wine tasting room, late-night bar and French bistro

The group’s new Spring St & Flinders Lane venture brings a refined wine and food experience in Melbourne and opened on November 15, 2024.

Overlooking the picturesque Treasury Gardens, this destination is the latest addition to the Vinesmith Wine Group, which is home to iconic Victorian vineyards including Blue Pyrenees, Glenlofty Estate and Decameron Station. The space combines a French inspired bistro, wine bar, wine shop, and cellar door, over multiple levels creating a vibrant setting where well-renowned wines and food converge.

Upon entering the venue, you're immediately immersed in the ambiance of a traditional winery cellar door, aglow with rare Australian native timbers. Surrounded by an array of Vinesmith’s signature wine brands and comparable imports, the space offers guests guided tastings. Led by wine experts like Yuhan Jiang and Vanessa Crouse, these tasting sessions provide a personal introduction to some of Victoria's finest wines.

The upstairs bistro, helmed by executive chef Richard Hayes, presents a refined menu of French classics with a modern twist. Fresh seasonal highlights include Butterflied Langoustine with Café de Paris Butter, Millefeuille of Ocean Trout Tartare with Yarra Valley Caviar, and Grilled Wagyu Eye Fillet with Bone Marrow and Garlic Butter. Diners can enjoy a celebration of Australia’s best produce, with standout dishes like Kangaroo Tartare and Braised Lamb Shoulder Boulangère, each infused with a subtle French flair.

“At 1 Flinders Lane, we offer a new introduction to some of the finest wines in the country, some of their French comparables, and a flexible approach to tasting , dining and celebrating. Forget the Michelin stars in chef Richard Hayes’s recent experience, forget the hassles of shipping cases to your place (next day freight on 12 bottle cases  is free), and see what you really enjoy from our wide range of fine wines”, says Roger Richmond-Smith, Vinesmith chairman.

Diners can also enjoy lighter dishes in the wine bar upstairs, where favourites include Duck Liver Parfait Éclair with Port and Hazelnut, Sea Urchin with Spiced Uni Butter, and a selection of cheeses with Shiraz Jelly. The experience is complemented by an extensive wine list, crafted to pair perfectly with the cuisine.

Vinesmith City Cellar Door’s wine portfolio offers a comprehensive selection of local wines complemented by exclusive imports from boutique French suppliers. Guests can explore award-winning wines from Blue Pyrenees and Glenlofty Estates, with options to enjoy a glass, sample tasting flights in the tasting room, or purchase bottles to take home from the wine store.

“Our wine list includes both the classics – famous Pyrenees reds, sparklings and whites – and some of the happy result of our winemakers’ innovations, although some of these are of very short supply and some available to our wine clubs only. An example is the Glenlofty Marsanne Roussanne which gave us the trophy last week at Royal Melbourne. Please join us for a tasting and then explore from there”, says Richmond-Smith

The new venue is designed by internationally acclaimed architects Denton Corker Marshall, with each element reflecting Vinesmith’s commitment to showcasing high-quality Australian wines and imports. Guests can enjoy the wines, Victorian and international, alongside fresh seasonal French-inspired dishes. If patrons are seeking a special bottle for an occasion or simply wish to savour a glass of wine or a cocktail, the bar’s friendly team is committed to enhancing each guest's experience.

Open Tuesday through Saturday, Vinesmith City Cellar Door invites patrons to visit for lunch, dinner, or a glass of wine, with each visit warmly crafted by the attentive Vinesmith team to ensure a memorable experience. On balmy days, al fresco lunch and dinner under outside umbrellas Is probably worth a photograph.

Sources: Vinesmith