News

Open now: A luxury winery in Melbourne's CBD

By Eliza Campbell

31 Mar, 2021

After the success of its first Sydney location, Handpicked Wines has opened a luxury cellar door in Melbourne's CBD. Stop by for wine flights, paired cheese and charcuterie, raclette and more.

Down a laneway, off the chic 'Paris end' of Melbourne’s Collins street, is the newly opened Handpicked Wines cellar door. Located in the high-end 80 Collins precinct, surrounded by luxury retail, bars and restaurants, the Victorian venture comes after the success of the brand’s first urban venue in Sydney’s Chippendale. The elevated space combines the educational aspects of a traditional winery cellar door with the convenience of a CBD address – plus a whole lot more.
The Handpicked Wines brand was originally born in the Mornington Peninsula, but has since grown to include vineyards in award-winning locations across the Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley and Tasmania, too. “Our passion for making great wines is not limited to one region or style,” says Chief Winemaker, Peter Dillon. “We are lucky to work with the best regions and varietals in the country, which allow us to express the wine’s style, true to its character.”

Handpicked is the first Australian producer to enter the luxury wine retail space, with the cellar door showcasing more than 50 wines in addition to a large premium cheese and charcuterie selection. The multifunctional, three-level building doubles as a wine bar and educational space, with an ‘experience room’ designed for wine flights and guided tastings – plus a stunning mezzanine that overlooks the cellar door. “Our goal is to bring the charm of viticulture and winemaking to an urban experience, where we can share and celebrate great wines with our guests,” Says Peter.

Featuring both indoor and outdoor seating, Handpicked is open for a light breakfast, lunch, or supper seven days a week, with a menu that focuses on gourmet regional produce. Indulge in a deli lunch, sardines on toast, truffle toasties or decadent raclette – or stop by for a simple breakfast of fresh crumpets with lemon curd and vanilla crème fraîche.

The Melbourne Handpicked cellar door is located inside the 80 Collins precinct, joining Georg Jensen, Mulberry and a new Saint Laurent flagship – as well as some of Melbourne’s most distinctive hospitality offerings (including Farmer’s Daughters, Nick & Nora’s and the soon-to-launch Society). Open from 8am-to-late Monday-Friday and from 11am on weekends. Find out more.

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