Step inside Vic Road Wine Bar & Cellar and it quickly becomes clear this is no ordinary wine bar. Nestled in the heart of Devonport, the space was previously a shoe shop for over 80 years, the shelves of which have been repurposed for wine shelving, and the wood panelling and brick exposed to create a cosy, distinctly European vibe.
Vic Road Wine Bar & Cellar was set up to be a place where wine could be enjoyed without pretence. Harriet, Emile and the team love helping customers explore the wine list and seeing them try something new. The New Zealand wine industry has, in recent years, diversified into different grape varieties, with the high-quality wine produced in a number of regions increasingly finding export markets and adding to our sauvignon blanc success and reputation. “It seems a shame for the New Zealand public not to even see some of these wines, as we have some incredible wine-makers doing incredible things here,” says owner and wine enthusiast Harriet Shields. The team has cultivated close relationships with small producers, family-run vineyards and boutique wine-makers, many of them practising sustainable and organic methods. Knowledgeable staff can provide guidance for both the extensive glass pour offering and full bottle selections for drinking or taking away.
The bar itself is a delightful place to sit – inside with warm brick and shelves full of bottles to look at, or outside with its European-feeling courtyard tucked away from the noise of the street. The drinks menu not only offers customers a glass of wine from the ever-changing list (changed every couple of weeks to keep things interesting) but also flights of wine tastings, so you can compare varietals and explore nuances. There is even a Blind Wine Tasting Challenge, which invites players to guess different New Zealand grapes. This is a fun, lively experience that has already crowned five or six winners, with a new line-up of wines being introduced whenever someone cracks it. The drinks menu extends to beers on tap, cocktails and non-alcoholic selections.
Despite the size of the kitchen, the food menu is impressive. Plates are inspired by flavours of Spain and the Mediterranean and are designed to be enjoyed as nibbles or combined for a full meal. The dishes also change with the season – at the moment chef Paul has fresh asparagus and Curious Cropper heirloom tomato dishes on the menu (with an amazingly creamy salted buffalo curd) alongside the firm favourites (baked brie with nectarines, smoked fish paté with pickles and meatballs with mozzarella). And with live music in the courtyard every Sunday afternoon – this is our pick for summer!
The space lends itself well to private functions, corporate events and Christmas parties with the option to book a table or take the whole space. They also cater for wine tastings for larger groups and can tailor these to suit a theme or interest.
Vic Road Wine Bar & Cellar has established itself as a popular hangout for locals and a place where wine can be enjoyed in a relaxed environment. The combination of fun wine bar design, stories behind the wines, playful tastings, and excellent food makes it a venue that draws people back time and again.
So next time you’re in the neighbourhood, settle in for a glass, a tasting flight or a long lunch – your new favourite wine bar is ready to welcome you.
Vic Road Wine Bar & Cellar
Open six days from midday for lunch and dinner
09 445 0194
vicroadwinebar.co.nz
