Australian winemaker Handpicked has opened a luxury cellar door within the recently launched high-end precinct, 80 Collins in downtown Melbourne.
Hailing from the Mornington Peninsula, Handpicked is the first Australian winemaker to enter the luxury wine retail space.
The multifunctional three-level space combines wine shop, premium cheese bar, charcuterie, and wine bar. ‘Tasting pods’ are integrated within the retail area, including an ‘experience room’ designed for wine flights and education, with a mezzanine space that overlooks the cellar door.
Designed by architectural and interior design firm DesignOffice, the cellar door features operational wine barrels at the entrance and American oak joinery throughout its interiors. Most of the furniture is Australian-made, such as Adam Cornish’s Nau Strand chairs.
Peter Dillon, chief winemaker at Handpicked, says the company’s goal is to “bring the charm and viticulture of winemaking to an urban experience”.
The luxury cellar will display more than 50 wines from its vineyards, including the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley and Tasmania. The vineyards are currently under organic conversion for sustainability.
“We have just released three new wines from two incredible sites we acquired in Tasmania a couple of years ago that are in conversion to organics, and we are excited to show these sorts of wines to our customers,” said Dillon.
The cellar’s menu includes a cheese selection from both local brands like Holy Goat and Meredith and imported cheeses from France and Italy. The charcuterie features cured meats from the Barossa such as prosciutto, Schultz pancetta, Jamon and Morcon, all sliced to order.
“As well as curated wine tastings, we have wine flights on offer, barrel tastings and regular wine workshops held in the dedicated events space and led by our stellar team,” says Andrew Robinson, operations manager.
“For convenience, wines can be purchased at the cellar door or delivered within three hours, paired perfectly with a selection of cheeses and charcuterie”,
Handpicked’s cellar door is located inside the 80 Collins precinct, on the corner of Pink Alley and Benson Walk.
