our December featured venues
Each month, we shine a spotlight on some of the exceptional venues across Australia that share our passion for Koonara wines. From your local regional bottle shop to city restaurants, cafes, and pubs, these featured friends represent the incredible diversity of places where you can discover our wines. We’re delighted to share their stories and celebrate what makes each venue special. So go on, check out this month’s featured venues.
LIMESTONE COAST, SA – Somerset Hotel
Millicent’s oldest pub has been serving drinks since 1872 – that’s over 150 years of country hospitality and they’re clearly doing something right. The Somerset was actually the first commercial building in Millicent, and locals still pack the place out (which is always the best recommendation).
Their schnitzels have achieved near-legendary status – we’re talking “bigger than the plates” territory. People drive nearly an hour just for dinner here, and Wednesday night is schnitzel night. The steaks are worth bragging about too.
Sitting right on Millicent’s main street, the Somerset is perfectly positioned within half an hour of Mount Gambier, Penola, and Beachport, which is ideal when you’re exploring Coonawarra wineries or heading to the coast. They serve lunch and dinner seven days a week. Pop by, order something generous, and see why this place has been a Limestone Coast institution since before your great-great-grandparents were born.
FIND THEM AT: 2-4 George Street, Millicent SA 5280
SOUTH AUSTRALIA – Jimmies Bar and Wood Oven
Some places just nail it, and Jimmies is one of them. Tucked into a century-old stone building at the foot of Mt Lofty, this Adelaide Hills favourite has been serving up what many reckon is some of the best wood-fired pizza in South Australia since 2002. The building itself has had quite the life, a former printing press, motor workshop, even a bowling alley before finding its true calling as a spot where locals gather around proper pizza and a good wine list.
They use organic flour for their bases and roast all their vegetables for maximum flavour (details we appreciate). In winter, grab a seat by the open fire. In summer, head for the outdoor area. Either way, you’re only about seven minutes from the bottom of the freeway, which means world-class pizza is closer than you think. The menu goes beyond pizza too, their rustic Italian dishes have developed quite the following. Pop in on your way to or from the Hills, and you’ll see why this place has been winning awards and hearts for over two decades.
FIND THEM AT: 6 Main St, Crafers SA 5152
SOUTHWEST VICTORIA – Royal Oak Bottlemart
Port Fairy is one of those coastal gems that draws you in and makes you want to stay a while. And if you’re passing through (or lucky enough to call it home), the Bottlemart drive-thru on Bank Street is your go-to for stocking up on quality drops without even having to leave your car. Pretty handy when you’ve got a boot full of beach gear or just can’t be bothered finding a park.
As part of Australia’s largest independent liquor network, this local bottle shop punches well above its weight with a brilliant selection and friendly service to match. They’re stocking four of our wines, including Angels Peak Shiraz, Wanderlust Cabernet, Emily May Rosé, and Flowers for Lucy Moscato, so whether you’re prepping for a lazy Sunday lunch, or just a quiet night in with good company, you’re sorted.
Next time you’re road-tripping the Great Ocean Road or heading down for a Port Fairy escape, swing by and grab a few bottles for the journey (or the destination)
FIND THEM AT: 9 Bank Street, Port Fairy VIC 3284
SYDNEY & SURROUNDS – Jensen’s Restaurant
Don’t let the shopping centre location fool you – Jensen’s has been a Sutherland Shire institution for decades, and for good reason. Chef Carl Jensen has been cooking for this community for over 30 years, and his famous roast duck has achieved near legendary status (he’s been perfecting it for just as long). The man clearly knows what he’s doing.
The restaurant seats 150 but somehow still feels like your neighbourhood spot, which is exactly what it is for many southern Sydneysiders who book here for celebrations, date nights, and everything in between. The menu blends modern Australian with Italian influences, changing regularly to keep things interesting. And here’s a tip: they offer BYO on select days, so you can bring a bottle of your favourite Koonara along for the ride. With chic banquet seating, an impressive cocktail bar, and food that consistently delivers, Jensen’s proves that exceptional dining can happen anywhere, even in a suburban village.
FIND THEM AT: Shop 1/13 Freya St, Kareela NSW 2232
QUEENSLAND –Preston Manor
Just fifteen minutes from Toowoomba’s city centre, Preston Manor feels like you’ve wandered into a beautifully revitalised piece of Queensland history, essentially because you have. This elegant colonial estate has been lovingly restored, and its sweeping views of the Darling Downs and the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range are nothing short of spectacular. It’s the kind of place where you arrive for an event, a long lunch, or a relaxed afternoon on the lawn… and suddenly you’re still there at sunset.
They’re pouring a lovely selection of our wines, including Angels Footprints Sauvignon Blanc, Angel’s Wings Cabernet Shiraz, Emily May Rosé, Lucy and Alice Pinot Gris, and A Song for Alice Riesling. Which reads like a Koonara greatest-hits lineup. Add in their on-site Bone Idol Brewery (winners of the 2024 Business Excellence Award for Hospitality), and you’ve got a venue that seriously knows its way around good drinks. The food leans into fresh local produce, and between the historic charm, the native birdlife, and those breathtaking mountain views, it’s easy to see why this place has become a go-to destination for weddings, long lunches, and weekend escapes.
FIND THEM AT: 330 Preston Boundary Road, Top Camp QLD 4352
NEW SOUTH WALES – North Bondi RSL Club
Look, we could bang on about the uninterrupted Bondi Beach views, the TripAdvisor awards, or the fact they’ve chosen our Wanderlust Cab Sav and Lucy & Alice Pinot Gris as wine of the month. But really, North Bondi RSL is just one of those solid, honest places that locals have loved for years and tourists discover with delight.
The newly done-up Bistro opens at midday every day, the prices won’t make you wince, and whether you’re there for a post-surf lunch or sunset drinks on the terrace, it just works. Sometimes the best venues aren’t trying to be fancy – they’re just consistently good at what they do. Plus, that view. Seriously, that view with our wine is hard to beat.
FIND THEM AT: 118-120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi NSW 2026
