All melody, no naïvety. This is the latest in our series on place and focuses on a darling region, Heathcote. This has everything we love because home is where we want to be, so there’s mulberry, peonies, compote spice and liqueured forest berries delivered glass after glass. There’s no need to speak in tongues, this is approachable and for everyone at the table.

This Must Be The Place Heathcote Shiraz 2023

Lovely, lifted fruit that’s bright and has blue fruits, sweet cherries and dusty tannins. We're in love. Made with a traditional Tuscan blend – Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo. If you never fell for an Italian, this is what it’s like – juicy is the beginning, but a savoury edge that keeps things sharp, then after 750mls there’s nothing left and it’s over. You'll always have the memories though.

Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2022

Fox Friday Lager

Remember that kid you knew in year 8 who had a pool and even though he was a little bit of a punish, you’d go there most summers and swim till your skin was wrinkled and full of chlorine! Well, they grew up, matured, got cool and turned into a can of beer. Complete with plenty of citrus and juicy notes – a lick of watermelony goodness – your old mate’s back and better than ever. (375ml) 6.0% ABV

Fox Friday Hazy IPA

Bridge Road Fruit Salad Sour

An estate Pinot from one of the best winemakers in the country? Yes, please. A genuine super wine, with a lovely nose and some savoury earthy tones that flow deep with grippy tannins that will align mystically with stars over the years if you feel like cellaring.

Stefano Lubiana Estate Pinot Noir 2023

The latest offering from our mates at Philter Brewing is their brand-new spritz line, Phresh! Combining the bright flavours of yuzu and lime, this is simply begging for a spot in the sun and to be surrounded by plenty of mates. (375ml) 4.0% ABV

Philter Phresh Citrus Spritz

Wangolina Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Soft richness with a snapped-off piece of nougat and a peachy fruit feel that’s almost palpable and fades into your mood and takes over in the best way, like the Mazzy Star song that inspired this note. It’s refreshing and comforting so it’s perfect for opening before sunset and finishing in the dark.

Hirsch Hill Chardonnay 2023

The Paloma you know and love, with a bit o' fizz! It's bright, fruity and so easy drinking. This is one for the sun and for the dancefloor. (330ml) 4.5% ABV

Espolòn Sparkling Paloma

Espolon Sparkling Margarita 330ml

The other Grange, the Sutton Grange. Dry, textural and savoury rosé that pours juicy with blackcurrant bush, wild strawberries with a little musk and keen price. Whole bunch pressed and just lightly fined. Cheers Fairbank, you’ve nailed it again.

Sutton Grange Fairbank Rose 2023

Like 2023’s edition, there’s a lot to love here and plenty of fresh flavours and a nice bit of skinsy, orange essence-driven tannin that keeps everything intact and vindicates your decision to drink it with a bag of chips, two friends, and a cheeseboard.

Fin Speedo Orange Pinot Gris 2024

So Lilla, so much lime blossom and so many great times ahead. At brunch, over lunch, through the afternoon and way after dinner, you’re golden. Like dry nashi pear cascades with a dab of creamy bread. This one will get you both in flavour country if they love Campari, but you want it straight.

So Lilla by Arli Prosecco NV

Ten for the nectarine and appley aromatics, plus ten for that smidge of bitter lemon that it finishes with. Ten because that’s how many full glasses you get which'll see you talking sweet nonsense with a crush before, during and after sunset. (1500ml)

Three's A Crowd Pinot Grigio

Fleshy sweet berries and raspberry leaf wrapped in a little cakey spice. It’s a shapeshifting 1,500ml that’ll go nicely in your tote and off to the park for an afternoon. Bags like these produce 80% less carbon emission than glass so we’re big fans and will keep stocking these jiggly magnums. (1500ml)

Three's A Crowd Pinot Noir

Classic Yarra Pinot that’s made for us to celebrate all the YV Pinots we love. With all its strawberry, hibiscus, rose and poached rhubarb, this is a brilliant one-size-fits-all wine that can go solo, with a cheese board, or dinner. In the words of Byrne... You’ll guess you must be having fun.

This Must Be The Place Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2023

Well-balanced sweetness. Dark berries and plums that sparkle, or bubble even. Notes are worth journaling because they’re mulberry and a stingy piece of dark chocolate – apparently, I break off too much and need to be ‘monitored’ at family functions when the block comes out. Don’t worry, it’s on my list of things to work through with my therapist.

Gudilly Sparkling Shiraz NV

Offer up glasses of flowing, liquored berries, sweet cherries and some blackcurrant essence tonight to yourself or those lucky enough to be in your (and this bottle’s) company. Soft n plush with enough tannin to keep you engaged, even after the conversation has lulled and everyone’s on Insta.

Gudilly Shiraz 2022

Philosophers say that even in dreams, we create problems because we want something to overcome. I have this recurring dream where, despite pouring from a full 750ml bottle, I can’t fill up my glass with the 150mls I want which means I only ever get to enjoy just a sip of all the black currant cassis and tobacco a wine like this offers.