Moody, minimal and made for locals – get the first look at Rhone Wine Merchant
Stepping in as the more casual counterpart to Grape & Grazing in New Farm, Rhone Wine Merchant delivers a simple, community-minded wine experience. The shelves are stocked, the glasses are ready and the vibe is beautifully unfussy. Get a sneak peek before the venue opens this week …
When Grape & Grazing opened just over a year ago, it was many things – a wine bar, a gourmet providore and, for a short time, a coffee spot. But as the venue found its footing and garnered a solid local clientele, it evolved.
These days, Grape & Grazing is more of a European-style eatery, with owners Rowena Wilkinson and Oliver Summons responding to local demand by leaning more towards a dine-in experience rather than the grab-and-go utility of its early phase.
But the mother-son duo never planned on doing away with Grape & Grazing’s other elements entirely. Instead, they decided to spin off those facets of the business into their own standalone outlets – the first of which, Rhone Wine Merchant, is officially opening to the public on Friday December 12.
“We wanted a new offering to bring to the strip and add a little bit of presence for Grape & Grazing,” says Oliver. “But we also wanted to tap into that key takeaway market, which New Farm is definitely missing.”
Rhone Wine Merchant is, at its core, a drink-in bottle shop. Slotting into the tenancy immediately next to Grape & Grazing (both halves were hewn from the old Vine Restaurant Bar space), Oliver defines Rhone as a no-frills concept pitched towards a more casual market, as well as a versatile addition to the group’s private-event offering.
“We needed something people could walk past when they’re getting off the bus, that is super easy and close, but still offers the functionality of being able to sit down and have a drink,” explains Ollie.
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Compared to Grape & Grazing next door, Rhone is decidedly more moody. Working with Woodsters, Oliver and Rowena have crafted a space that boasts refined European-inspired aesthetic, but swaps out the material palette (rich timbers and marble accents) for something darker.
Upon entry, guests are greeted by an 18-seat communal table, positioned opposite a bank of shelves and temperature-controlled fridges along the left wall. More fridges can be spied at the rear of the space, and a small four-seater booth is positioned near the front window, while a scattering of tables also sit outside.
“The space is all designed entirely around versatility,” Ollie explains. “You can have a cocktail function in there and we’ve got a riser counter you can put a DJ on – just being able to have a little bit of fun is super important to us.”
As can be discerned from the amply stocked displays and floor stock, Rhone Wine Merchant is a bottle shop, first and foremost. Ollie has curated a vast selection of wines tallying approximately 1500 SKUs, encompassing a broad range of styles and price points.
More stash-worthy premium wines can be found in the fridges and shelves closer to the entrance, with the team loosely organising the selection by type – Rhone blends lead the charge, followed by crowd-favourite varieties like heavyweight pinots, chardonnays and champagnes. More accessible, drink-now drops are located at the back, while some displays spotlight wines from showcase producers.
“We’re not too left of field, but it’s all curated – I’ve tried all of the wines personally,” says Ollie of the selection. “Taking people on a journey is super important. We just like sharing good wine.”
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Rhone also doubles as a wine bar, but Ollie is keeping the offering concise, streamlined and fluid. A tight by-the-glass list will offer an ever-changing snapshot of the range, curated with education and exploration in mind.
“We have six wines by the glass and that’s it,” says Oliver. “They change constantly – we’re saying to people, ‘We got this in on allocation, try it, it’s great, we have three bottles left.’ There’s a soft education element here, just without the snobbery.”
Meanwhile, the Grape & Grazing kitchen will turn out a short menu that fluctuates in length. One day there will be an array of snacks to choose from, then the next day you might find hibachi-grilled cutlets or steak frites.
“It’s as stripped back as a wine bar could possibly be,” says Ollie. “It’s not a restaurant – we just happen to have a kitchen and we’re going to use it.”
Rhone’s opening caps off an exciting year for Ollie and Rowena. Soon, a smaller site a few doors down will house The Providore by Grape & Grazing, a one-stop shop of gourmet goodies – perfect for those who miss the venue’s picnic hampers and cheese boxes.
In the new year, Rhone Wine Merchant will launch a calendar of events, including wine tastings and set-menu community dinners. Moving forward, Ollie feels that Rhone can be the fuss-free everyday outlet that New Farm has been waiting for.
“There’s no formality – it’s really the neighbourhood wine bar at its simplest form,” says Ollie. “Grape & Grazing is a little bit more elevated, whereas here you can roll in when you’re walking your dog. Have a glass, take a bottle away, do whatever you want.”
Rhone Wine Merchant opens to the public on Friday December 12 – head to The Directory for more information.