Out in the trade in Aussie!

Melbourne

A brisk walk around South Bank started my day, and brisk it really was at 6 degrees! Beats Auckland at a mere 2 degrees.

Breakfast with the lovely Jennie May from Domaine Wine Shippers our Australian wine Distributor's and a good strong coffee at City Wine Shop was in order, Melbourne really has the best coffee!

The City Wine Shop is both a retail wine store and a wine bar, they also own The European Restaurant, which is situated right next door along with The Supper Club and Roof Top Bar.

We later visited Travis and Kate from Coda Restaurant, Coda has been open for just two weeks and is already booked solid for the next two months! Travis, Coda's wine expert and Kate Coda's front of house lady, have both come from Taxi Dining Room, an institution in Melbourne City. Travis and Kate were both fans of Man O' War wine loving particularly our Pinot Gris, Valhalla Chardonnay and our Dreadnought Syrah!

On to Seamstress another highly rated Melbourne restaurant in Lonsdale Street.

Melbourne's Chinatown has a new designer kid on the block, Seamstress has the funked-up Asian food and cool cocktail scene all stitched up. I met the fabulous Lori Smith at Seamstress and we samples through the Man O' War collection together, Lori being a fan of many.

When the staff meal came out I was hoping they wouldn't notice me slip a plate onto the counter and join them. I thought best not as I had a table booked at Momo restaurant in Colin's street and I had to bribe Jack , Momo's sommelier and a huge supporter of Man O' War to get us a table!

Arriving on time for my reservation at Momo, with a couple of Man O' War bottles hidden in my purse for Jack and Bradley Momo's manager, I was relieved to get settled inside and away from the cold Melbourne evening. An incredible dinner, followed by several gorgeous bottles of wine and impeccable service, Momo really is an experience. After dinner we made ourselves comfortable next door at Spice Market. Spice Market and Momo have the most incredible interiors, no expense was spared here and their wine lists are world class. It was great to see Ewan from Guillaume Bennelong, who popped in to share a bottle of wine with us.

While in Melbourne I also had time to see Mark from the Botanical in Domain Road and have a bite to eat with Kyri from No 35 a fabulous new restaurant in the Sofitel Melbourne.

It was great to spend some time with the Domaine Wine Shippers family, meeting Howard and making it out to head office (after getting very lost!) to meet with Gary, Yvonne, Damien and the lovely Melinda Steel. Anita, Michelle, Melanie and the team were on top form as usual!

Domaine wine Shippers is one of the biggest and best wine distribution companies in Australia. The whole Steel family work in the wine industry and most of them for the family business, they are all avid wine lovers and have a passion for French wine, legend has it Gary has one of the best cellars in Australia under his house!

After a fantastic week in Melbourne I am off to spend time with Evan and meet the rest of the DWS Queensland team.

See you soon,

Bronny