Dogs Bar in St Kilda has vowed to sell only Australian wine, and to have all drops available by the glass too.
Recently taken over the Erez Gordon and Paul Cooper (who also operate Bishop Sessa in Sydney), Dogs Bar wants to honour its founder's commitment to supporting Australia's food and wine producers by ensuring only Australian wines are available.
“In so many venues you have a choice to drink Australian wine, or products from elsewhere, especially New Zealand. Our focus at the Dogs Bar is to have a list selling 100% Australian wine, by the glass or bottle. We want the support of the wine industry and we want to support it as best we can," Gordon said.
"“The Australian wine industry is so diverse, so vibrant and so full of incredible artisan and larger scale producers. When Donlevy (Fitzpatrick) opened the Dogs Bar, he saw in a new era of eating and drinking in Melbourne. We want to honour his vision as well as offering our guests an opportunity to experience and know more about Australian wine."
Gordon and Cooper took over the site in May and are determined to return it to its former glory, with the pair currently working on a new food offering, including house-made charcuterie and fresh pastas.
"When we developed the wine list, we wanted it to match the style of the space, the food I wanted to produce and to be a champion for both artisan and major producers,” said Cooper. “We want to be
the place where people can be more than once a week, to feel like they have a stake in what we do. Having great food at reasonable prices, and a wine list that matches our food offering will ensure that we can be that kind of venue.”
The wine list at Dogs Bar will evolve over time and specials will be offered when small batches or new wines become available.
