Summer Drinks Guide
Drink Adventurously Edition
The mercury is up and ice-cold drinks are going down even easier, summer is the time to drink better and drink with a sense of adventure.
Embrace Drinking Adventurously
Your guide to exploring new flavours this summer. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast or just starting your journey.
Discover something new, one sip at a time.
Try Something New
The next time you purchase a drink, add a bottle of something you’ve never tried before. A new grape variety, a new region, or experiment with something experimental—whatever it is, try drinking outside the box. Variety is the spice of life after all.
Side Step Your Favourites
Instead of reaching for your favourite variety every time, try a variety that offers a new take on a similar style. If you’re a lifetime member of the Chardy Party, give Chenin Blanc a go—it can produce wines as crisp as Chablis or as richly flavoured as your old-school comfort bottle.
Embrace Natural Wines
Don’t be afraid of the world of minimal intervention and LoFi winemaking! Sure, your immediate thoughts might turn to your carabiner and small-beanie-wearing nephew but these exciting wines span the full spectrum of flavour. There’s a whole world of wines to discover that are as traditionally leaning or as wild as you like, or in other words, wines you can still share with your in-laws or your too cool nephew.
Friends from Near & Far
We asked our community of winemakers, brewers, and drink enthusiasts to share their summer drinking adventures and recommendations.
Niki & Tim
Winemakers, Babche Wines
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Piquette. It's a hard fermentation to get right with minimal funk, but lovely and layered when things line up."
Producer pushing boundaries
"Bobar, and Eleven Sons. If a wine is pure and pristine, it's pushing boundaries."
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"Caretakers Cottage. A frequent reco, perhaps for a reason? Kind, welcoming, hospitable owners and team. Scintillating cocktails. Love their martini."
Summer soundtrack
"Disc - Jockey by David Penn, KPD."
Hot tip
"Zero dosage bubbles chilled well with fish and chips."
Josh, Myki & Royce
Co-founders, Pep
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"That'd be a spicy michelada. Spicier the better."
Producer pushing boundaries
"We love Dave Verheul and his Saison Aperitifs. Drink bitter."
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"Adventure is found anywhere beyond the couch; but Cam's Kiosk for cocktails and euro vibes."
Summer soundtrack
"Roam, the B-52's"
Hot tip
"Clear the schedule. Leave no friend behind. Always be packing Seoul Tonic."
Lauren & Martin
Winemakers, El'more Wine
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Aligote from anywhere, always fun."
Producer pushing boundaries
"Lauren Langfield, didn't think she could make a better Sauvignon Blanc then last year's one but she did, again!"
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"The Colbo Pub"
Summer soundtrack
"Keanu Nelson - Wilurarrakutu"
Hot tip
"Trying local producers of wine and drinking tasty organic table beers from La Sirene and Wildflower."
Costa Nikias
Co-founder, La Sirène
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Sparkling Roussane! It marries up one of my favourite grape varietals and takes it to another level with a sparkling mouthfeel."
Producer pushing boundaries
"MGC (The Melbourne Gin Company) - their PDG Sauvignon blanc wine-gin hybrid is something pretty special."
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"I'm loving cocktails at the moment - two bars in particular come to mind: Melbourne stalwarts The Everleigh, and who can go past Bar Bellamy in Carlton?"
Summer soundtrack
"For two very different vibes, it's either Sexy Robot by Hitomi Tohyama or Hurt by Johnny Cash."
Hot tip
"On those warmer days at our bar in Rezza I've been tucking into our wild ale spritzes. You can't go wrong with a bright fruity beer like Citray Sour in a gin spritz!"
Tim 'Timesy' Everist
Founder, Sound Merch
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Shiraz with ice"
Producer pushing boundaries
"MUSTAAARRRDDDD"
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"My upstairs shower"
Summer soundtrack
"Big Dreams: Amyl and Sniffers"
Hot tip
"Keep cool under the shade of a coolibah tree"
Conna Mallett
Co-founder & Brewer, Love Shack
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Maidenii - Yuzu Vermouth."
Producer pushing boundaries
"Loudon Cooper at Bar Midland."
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"Bar Midland"
Summer soundtrack
"If you Should Sail - Neilson & Pearson"
Hot tip
"Stu Wines - Rose"
Grace Baker
People & Culture, Blackhearts & Sparrows
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Picpoul – an old-school French grape making a comeback! Perfectly crisp and pairs brilliantly with chargrilled prawns."
Producer pushing boundaries
"Jean Paul Trisburg is crafting exceptional wines at great value. The Grenache Blanc de Noir is my top pick – a savoury white that's oh-so-good with gooey cheese."
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"I recently moved to Kensington and have been frequenting Arnold's Wine Bar. A white port and tonic paired with some tasty snacks? A total win."
Summer soundtrack
"Genesis by Raye... it's an epic journey wrapped up in one track."
Hot tip
"Always have a can (or four) of Delgados tequila and soda in the fridge... instant thirst quencher!"
Michael Zaccaria
Owner & Importer, Quel Vino
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Frappato: Dress it up or down—this fresh Sicilian red screams summer."
Producer pushing boundaries
"Passofonduto - Brilliant wines grown in old Salt & sulphur mines from a little known part of Sicily."
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"So many but SONNY Hobart! A place of true hospitality, always something new to drink and fun guaranteed."
Summer soundtrack
"Anything Prince O(+>"
Hot tip
"The simple pleasure of good vermouth over ice, garnished with a slice of fresh orange."
Kate Berry
Founder, OK Motels
Must-try adventurous variety/style
"Pina colada. The drink you're embarrassed to order, but it always impresses."
Producer pushing boundaries
"Minimum Wines. They build creative communities through sharing wine."
Favourite place for an adventurous drink
"An NT roadhouse on a scorching day after spending hours roadside waiting for a tow."
Summer soundtrack
"It's not a song, but K&D Sessions—still perfect 20+ years on."
Hot tip
"Drink what you like and how you like."
Come Drink & Dine With Us
Like any sibling duo, Paul and Jessica don't see eye-to-eye on everything, but what they do agree on is food and wine is best shared with the people you love.
As seasoned hosts, Paul and Jess have nailed the art of creating crowd-pleasing dishes and pairing an enviable lineup of drinks to match.
Paul & Jessica
The Blackheart & The Sparrow
Jess' Magic Green Sauce
Inspired by the Salsa Verdes and Sauce Gribiches of the world, the magic of this sauce is it goes with everything. Serve with red meat, white meat, vegetables, salad, bread, or just eat it with a big spoon.
Ingredients
- Fresh herbs mix (80% parsley, 15% tarragon, 5% mint)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp vinegar of choice
- 1 tbsp capers
- 1/4 clove grated garlic (optional)
- Pinch of sugar
- Neutral oil (grapeseed or light olive oil)
- Optional: 1 anchovy for umami
Method
- 1. Blitz in a small blender or use mortar and pestle
- 2. Taste as you go - no strict rules
- 3. Adjust salt, sugar and vinegar to taste
- 4. Keep balanced to let herbs shine
- 5. Spoon generously over anything
It's (Dinner) Party Season
Some people are naturally great hosts. They just know. Maybe they're born with it or maybe it's a skill they've been cultivating since they were hosting tea parties with their furry friends. Whatever it is, the one thing we do know is there's an indelible art to hosting.
It's keeping a cool head in the chaos of a kitchen, knowing which small details make the biggest impact, and most importantly, it's never letting a glass go empty.
Not sure what’s on the menu? Go for bottles that tick the looks good, tastes good and feels good boxes.
Macedon Ridge Brut Sparkling NV
Bubbles • Macedon
$32
Honkey Chateau Tankini Chilled Red
Light Red • Yarra Valley
$32
Domaine De L'Eveche "Clos de l'evêché"
Red Wine • Burgundy
$53
Paralian Springs Hill Shiraz 2023
Red Wine • Adelaide Hills,SA
$49
Rocky Ridge Draught
Lager • 4pk
$16
Reed & Co Yuzu Chu Hai
Pre-Mix • 250ml
$9
The approach here is to have a bottle that works with every course. We’ve dissected the anatomy of a drinks list so that all you need to do is flex the corkscrew and take all the credit.
Welcome Snacks
Set the tone
Highclare Estate Sparkling Blanc de Noir 2023
Bubbles • Tamar Valley, TAS
$45
Main Course
The star of the show, second only to you
First Foot Forward Pinot Noir
Red Wine • Yarra Valley, VIC
$40
Summer Escapes
A holiday adventure doesn’t need to look like jumping out of a plane or abseiling a cliff face—it can be as simple as trying something, or somewhere, new.
Fitzroy and Brunswick often take out the golden child title of the inner north but head a little further along the 86 tram line and you'll discover a new world of venues that'll have you thinking "How did I not know about this place?"
La Pinta
Hands down some of the most delicious small plates in Melbourne! Expect a fluid list of wines by the glass, bottle and even by the keg to match the daily and hyper-seasonal snack list perfectly. In the words of wine buyer, Adam C, it's the kind of place you plan to stop by for a glass and a snack, only to find yourself two hours later full and fast friends with the folks on either side of you at the bar.
High Note
Come for the incredible sound system and cooler-than-you music curation, and stay for the people-watching and the drinks. A short and snappy list of LoFi wines leads the charge here, with clean, crisp beers on tap and an impressive lineup of mixed drinks if that's your thing. Hot tip: bring ya sunnies as the bar and curbside seats catch all the glorious afternoon sun on High Street!
Franklins
We've all been told not to press the big, red button but we insist you do push the big, red door! Tucked behind it is a Franklin's—a real hidden gem with a rotating list of seasonal cocktails, reliably great beers on tap and a pizza menu for when you realise you've stayed a few hours longer than you'd planned.
We know we have a bit of a reputation for being north siders, but there's enough room in our hearts and our glass for both sides of the Yarra—don't forget we got our start in Windsor!
Don's
Behind its laid-back style and obvious potential for hi-jinx, Don's has a deceptively elevated food game. The ever-changing menu might have bites of pillowy ravioli, verdant plates of torched asparagus or a katsu sando to name but a few. The wine list is short but approachable, with something for everyone, and the cocktails are just right. Go for a snack, stay for a meal, become mates with the staff and make it a party —you can have it all at Don's!
Freddy's Pizza
Freddy's is reminiscent of the OG Paulie Gee's in Greenpoint, NY; warm, welcoming, damn tasty and perfect for a mid-week date night or a weekend blowout. Dan and Tom, the duo behind Freddy's blend old-school hospitality and tradition perfectly without being chained to the past. Their expertise extends to their libations list too, with their excellent line of Tommy's Booze Italian liqueurs creating a solid foundation for the stellar cocktails. It's the pizza joint that we want to go to every day.
The Walrus Oyster & Wine Bar
A beacon of quality and quality vibes, The Walrus is building an enviable reputation in the short time it's called Inkerman St it's home. Stalwarts of Melbourne hospo, Anna & Marty have crafted a venue that's at once neighbourly, but also a little bit special too. It could be the freshly shucked oysters and a bottle of Champagne, or maybe the sea urchin pasta and something from the always interesting by the glass list …or maybe it's just the heated toilet seats! Either way, it makes it worth a trip.
Our favourite places to settle in as hot days turn into long nights are the cellar doors that reside beachside or tucked into rolling green valleys.
Bellbrae Estate
Good things are happening down this way… with a new head winemaker and new and improved focus on the vineyard, what they're getting into bottles has never been better! On a Saturday arvo, the woodfire pizza oven is cranking and there's plenty of lawn to stretch out on, so once you're done swimming for the day at Juc or Cosy Corner, order a slice and a glass of Birdrock Pinot Noir and watch the clouds roll over the Surfcoast.
Main Ridge Estate
When it comes to the history of wine on the Mornington Peninsula, Main Ridge Estate is the O.G. Founded in 1975 by Nat and Rosalie White after a life changing trip to Burgundy, and since 2015, run by the Sexton family. The short drive down a Red Hill dirt road reveals a charming cellar door where you can stay for lunch while you taste the famous Acre and Half Acre Pinot Noir along with their cracking Estate Chardonnay. A must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts seeking authentic Mornington Peninsula terroir.
Dominique Portet
Lean into your inner Francophile and make full use of the rosé on offer while slinging a few boules back and forth out the front of the winery in the afternoon sun. The cellar door tasting is second to none and the food served in the Bistro on site is equally Tres Bon. The Portet family is synonymous with the Cabernet wines of Bordeaux, but current winemaker Ben Portet has made huge ground with Chardonnays and Pinot Noir from their newly planted Upper Yarra vineyard. A perfect blend of French heritage and Australian terroir.
If the opportunity to brag to your colleagues on a Monday morning isn’t enough of an excuse to get out of town, a few of our favourites might be.
Paul Osicka Wines
One of our favourite wineries in the region and one we love visit with our team. The cellar door is by appointment, so just shoot them an email or dial the digits and Simon and the Osicka family will love to show you around. Learn about the region and taste some of Heathcote's finest Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet while patting their four-legged friends. The history of this place runs deep - they've been growing grapes here since the 1950s!
Chauncy
If you're looking for a reason to get away for the weekend or to be anywhere remotely near Central Victoria, let it be this! There's no better place to get a next-level classic French Dining experience than Chauncy. Louis Naepels & Tess Murray left fine dining in Melbourne, opening in 2021 with exquisite food and an equally impressive wine list that showcases the best from Europe and local producers. The attention to detail and warm hospitality might just make you contemplate a change of scenery yourself.
Du Fermier
Our tip to battling summer heat is to head to Trentham, a tiny country town not too far from Melbourne, where it's always a few degrees cooler. Annie Smithers' phenomenal farmhouse to table restaurant is like eating at an old friend's home and well worth a little extra planning to make a weekend trip. The menu changes with the seasons and what's growing in Annie's garden, making each visit a unique experience. While in town, make sure you settle into the beer garden at the Cosmo Hotel for a few hours for local beers on tap that you can sip on under a shady tree.
Summer Sips
What We’re Picking Up to Cool Down—It’s imperative in summer that any beverages drunk are as refreshing as they are fun, profound or mind-expanding.
Wine
Remember: bubbles should be fresh and brimming with buoyant acidity; a little blush goes a long way in bringing cheer; and if it’s grown by the sea it will remind you of the sea—and consequently make you feel refreshed like you’ve been in the sea.
So Lilla by Arli Prosecco NV
Bubbles • King Valley
$22
Gramona Ca la Mar Mustillant 2023
White Wine • Spain
$33
Yetti and the Kokonut Project Red 2022
Rosé • Adelaide Hills
$33
Domaine Vico Bois du Cerf Blanc Vermentinu 2023
White Wine • Corsica, France
$50
Forest Hill Highbury Chardonnay 2023
White Wine • Great Southern
$26
Spirits & Cocktails
Summer is the time to add something new to something you already love. Swap your Margarita for a Mezcalita, turn to Limoncello for a fresh take on your favourite spritz, and opt for a locally made iteration of your favourite spirits.
Beers & Bevs
We know it’s hard to go past a classic Lager when it comes to cracking a can in the summertime, but spread your aluminium wings past what you know and open yourself up to a world of flavour. Adventure into new flavour territory with fruit and mint additions, your Lager will be there for your second drink.
Good Gifting & Better Drinking
From the adventurous to the contemplative to the straight-up delicious, find the perfect bottle to gift for every palate and occasion.
Give the gift of adventure in a glass, one bottle at a time.
Guzzle
It's no secret that trying something new is 60% easier 100% of the time when it's straight-up delicious. So drinkable, you don't need to think about it. It could be fruit rich, or juicy, or just generally yum!
Contemplate
Wine can perplex the senses. It can be at once beguiling and exciting, then challenging and shrouded in mystery. These are wines to dissect and unravel; delve into them deeply and unearth the pleasures within.
Impress
These are wines that are perfect for those in the know, those who want to know, the aspirational, the rich and famous, or the person who has tried it all.
A Rodda Willow Lake Vineyard Chardonnay 2023
White Wine • Victoria
$62
Eastern Peake Intrinsic Pinot Noir 2022
Red Wine • Marlborough
$85
Luke Lambert Syrah 2022
Red Wine • Yarra Valley
$50
Domaine Naturaliste Morus Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Red Wine • Margaret River
$100
Cape Byron Distillery The Original Whisky
Whisky • Byron Bay
$125
Sparkling Season
Sparkle hard, sparkle high and sparkle mighty—summer is the season for releasing those tiny bubbles like confetti from a cannon. An instant signal that “it is on!”, bubbles in a flute, poured over ice in a spritz or supped from a can instantly elevates any moment and turns you into a mobile party machine.
Classic Wines for Sparkling Times
Few things say it’s time to celebrate like a glass of bubbles and despite what The Great Gatsby and glass towers have taught us, Champagne is not the only option. Live a little and take your glass to other parts of France, drink like you’ve just returned from the Amalfi Coast with Prosecco or pop the Pét-Nat.
Cantine Vedova Borgo Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG NV
Prosecco • Italy
$30
La Violetta Patio Nat Pet Nat 2024
Pet Nat • Western Australia
$38
Happy Camper Rosé Pét-Nat NV
Pet Nat • Victoria
$25
Gamet Rive Droite Extra Brut Champagne Blanc de Noirs NV
Champagne • France
$93
Domaine Amirault Les Quateron Cremant de Loire Brut NV
Crémant • Loire Valley
$47
Highclare Estate Sparkling Blanc de Noir 2023
Sparkling • Tasmania
$38
Spritz
Say hello to the modern sparkling alternatives that say “I drink too well to be confined by toasting traditions” with a simple tilt of the glass. Keep your fridge stocked with these I.C.O.P. (in case of parties).
Zonzo Zoncello
Spritz • Yarra Valley
$25
Bizzarro x Mischief Brew Tonic Spritz
Spritz • Local
$7
Versa Limoncello Spritz
Spritz • Australia
$11
Tommy's Mandarino Mandarin Spritz
Spritz • Victoria
$9
Dayse Easing Ginger Functional Non-alc Spritz
Non-Alcoholic • Australia
$5.50
Mischief Brew Non Alc Aperitivo
Non-Alcoholic • Australia
$5