Melbourne has a new destination for wine lovers with the opening this week of Olivine wine bar in a new $1 billion dining and entertainment precinct on the old Pentridge Prison site.
Perfect for a lock in!
Pentridge’s former cells have been transformed into a wine bar with a walk-in cellar door, intimate booths and a wine list curated by a star sommelier.
Olivine seats 100 guests and features a list of more than 500 labels from local and international producers that has been crafted by sommelier Liinaa Berry.
“Our wine list is called the Book of Wine,” Berry says.
“It has been curated to give context and narrative to wine, while watercolour illustrations [by local artist Elizabeth Nicholls] add punctuation to the text.
“The Book of Wine is categorised into chapters to give guests context. If you look for context that you like, then you will find the wines you love..
“The Book of Wine begins with a foreword and a synopsis and ends with an epilogue. The synopsis, for example, lists 150 wines that represents the diversity of the wine world. They are listed by stylistic expression, so it is easy to navigate.”
The chapters that follow are called the Producer’s Series, showcasing 35 producers and 350 wines across Australia and Europe.
“Here, we put a lens to the people behind the wine,” says Berry. “We share stories of the rising stars, unsung heroes, and more established vignerons. We also dive deep into their historical significance, their defining style and regionality.
”Wine enthusiasts will find great pleasure in the classics and natural wine lovers will be delighted with some unusual suspects.”
Olivine’s grazing menu features dishes like Japanese scallop tarts with a yuzu emulsion and dried tomato powder, and house-made chicken liver parfait with muscat and a brown butter tuile.
To keep non-wine lovers happy, there is a selection of signature cocktails and over 90 craft spirits, which have been sourced mainly from artisan producers.
In a nod to Pentridge’s former role, small brass sparrows adorn the windows - a sculptural representation of the radio DJ called “Sparrow” who once lived inside the prison and served as a medium to convey messages between prisoners and their loved ones.
Berry will also curate the wine list for neighbouring restaurant North & Common, which is set to open in May.
For more details see www.olivinewinebar.com.au
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