our March 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 range of places where you can discover our wines. We’re delighted to share them with you and celebrate what makes each one so special. So go on, check out this month’s featured venues.
LIMESTONE COAST, SA – Royal Oak Hotel
Right on Penola’s main street in the heart of Coonawarra wine country sits the Royal Oak Hotel, a historic two-storey sandstone beauty built in 1872. This classic country pub delivers award-winning dining, cosy accommodation, and an extensive bottleshop stocked with the best of Coonawarra and the Limestone Coast.
They’re now carrying six Koonara wines in their bottleshop: Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay, Flowers for Lucy Moscato, Angel’s Wings Cabernet Shiraz, Wanderlust Cabernet Sauvignon, Angel’s Peak Shiraz, and Angel’s Footprints Sauvignon Blanc. And if you’re dining in, you can order the Flowers for Lucy Moscato over the bar to enjoy with their seasonal menu.
The dining room features an inviting fireplace for winter nights, generous portions at honest prices, and lunchtime specials that have locals coming back weekly.
FIND THEM AT: 31 Church Street, Penola SA 5277
SOUTHWEST VICTORIA – Lady Bay, Warrnambool
Perched right on the water at the end of the Great Ocean Road, Lady Bay Resort is a favourite Koonara stockist. They’re pouring four of our wines, including Flowers for Lucy Moscato and our Wanderlust Cabernet Sauvignon, and their restaurant focuses on fresh South-West Victorian produce.
Proper regional cooking with ocean views, and they’ve got 65 apartments if you want to extend your stay. Whether you’re road-tripping the Great Ocean Road or escaping Warrnambool for dinner, this beachfront spot pairs our wines with that coastal atmosphere you won’t want to leave.
FIND THEM AT: 2 Pertobe Road, Warrnambool VIC 3280
QUEENSLAND –Ach Wine Bar & Bistro
Tucked into Brisbane’s developing Northshore Hamilton precinct, ACH Wine Bar & Bistro opened in late 2023 and has become one of the city’s most talked-about dining spots. The name means both “brother” and “hearth” in Hebrew and Arabic, fitting for a place where Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine is cooked over fire in a custom-built hearth.
Chefs Marty Coard and Noam Lissner showcase diverse flavours from Morocco to Iran, and their wine list splits near-evenly between Australian drops and bottles from Lebanon, Turkey, and Israel. They’ve added two Koonara wines to their Australian selection: Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay and Lucy & Alice Pinot Gris.
The intimate space features dark green walls, sandstone tiles, and indoor-outdoor seating to catch the river breezes. Lunch service keeps things approachable with shawarmas, hummus bowls, and Persian rice, while evenings shift to tasting menus and a wine-bar menu of small snacks for walk-ins.
FIND THEM AT: 689 MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton QLD 4007
MELBOURNE AND SURROUNDS – Skinny Boy Jim
Tucked into the back streets of Aspendale in Melbourne’s southeast, Skinny Boy Jim is a hidden gem that’s become a favourite among locals, tradies, and families. Known for consistently excellent coffee (their double espresso and long black are particularly popular), this cosy cafe serves modern Australian breakfast and brunch with creative twists on the classics.
They’ve recently added our Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay Piccolo to their drinks list, which is perfect for a celebratory brunch or weekend catch-up. The cafe features warm, rustic decor, friendly staff who remember regulars, and a relaxed courtyard at the rear with a kids’ corner, making it genuinely family-friendly.
With signature dishes like Pulled Beef Benedict with jalapeño hollandaise and gluten-free waffles with rhubarb and berry compote, Skinny Boy Jim delivers the kind of meals that has people coming back daily.
FIND THEM AT: 21 Laura Street, Aspendale VIC 3195
SOUTH AUSTRALIA – Café Michael 2, Adelaide
Right in the heart of Rundle Street sits Café Michael 2, a family-owned Thai restaurant that’s been serving authentic, award-winning Thai cuisine since 1982. As one of Adelaide’s most popular Thai restaurants, combining traditional cooking techniques with fresh ingredients and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
They’ve recently added three Koonara wines to their list: Golden Orb Sparkling Shiraz, Flowers for Lucy Moscato, and Emily May Rosé. Whether you’re there for their famous Pad Thai, Green Curry, or Northern Thai Laksa, our wines pair beautifully with the vibrant Thai flavours.
Open for lunch Monday to Friday and all day on weekends, Café Michael 2 offers both dine-in and takeaway. The restaurant combines traditional Thai décor with contemporary touches, creating a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for everything from a quick lunch to dinner with friends.
FIND THEM AT: 204 Rundle Street, Adelaide SA 5000
NEW SOUTH WALES – North Bondi RSL Club
North Bondi RSL has those uninterrupted Bondi Beach views, the TripAdvisor awards, and they’ve got our Wanderlust Cabernet Sauvignon and Lucy & Alice Pinot Gris avalaible by the glass. The newly renovated Bistro opens at midday every day, the prices are reasonable, and whether you’re there for a post-surf lunch or sunset drinks on the terrace, it delivers.
It’s one of those solid, honest places that locals have loved for years and tourists discover with delight. Plus, our wine with that ocean view is pretty hard to beat.
FIND THEM AT: 118-120 Ramsgate Avenue, North Bondi NSW 2026
BALLARAT – Pipers by the Lake
Nestled amongst century old trees on the shores of Lake Wendouree and directly opposite Ballarat’s magnificent Botanical Gardens, Pipers by the Lake enjoys one of Ballarat’s most enviable restaurant locations. Open seven days for breakfast and lunch, this lakeside gem is as much about the view as it is about the food.
Settle in with a glass of one of the four Koonara wines they stock, Angel’s Footprints Sauvignon Blanc, Flowers for Lucy Moscato, Guardian Angel Sparkling Chardonnay, or Lucy & Alice Pinot Gris—and watch the swans glide past while the paddle steamer drifts across the lake. Their famous scones are worth the trip alone, but the lunch specials paired with that view? Even better.
Beyond daily dining, Pipers is also a sought-after wedding and function venue, with that lakeside setting making any celebration feel just a bit more special. Whether you’re popping in for a coffee or planning your big day, the combination of quality food, excellent service, and those views make it worth the visit.
FIND THEM AT: 403 Wendouree Parade, Ballarat VIC 3350
