Casa De Vinos

The owner of Casa De Vinos name is Jose… but it may as well be Norm (‘coz everybooody knows his na-​ame). Except in the community of Port Melbourne, everyone knows him because he owns an excellent bottle shop and loves sharing his passion with everyone that enters his store.
With a background in both winemaking and distilleries, he knows everything about everything. It would be a waste to simply walk in and buy a bottle without picking his brain about what suits your tastes or discovering something interesting to try.
Set up as part wine store/​part grocery store, one wall is lined with interesting ingredients, particularly hot sauces.
They also import and sell Tequila Clase Azul. I was lucky enough to have a taste of this tequila range and it was hands down the best I’ve ever had. So easy to drink and even if you don’t think tequila is your thing, there’s a good chance you would like this one. Crazy good.
A great family-​owned business worth supporting.

This little shop arrived around the time that Jose and his partner had their first child. Years on they have managed to hang in there as a niche provedore and wine store. Mostly stocking from small/​boutique producers, the items are very special.
You’ll find beer, wine, spirits and handmade knives from the Laguiole part of France. There is gourmet produce and a cheese room. Jose is a great teacher too, so visit for wine education or help on your selection.
Port Melbourne has the biggest spread of demographics from the poorest to wealthy affluent elder members of society. It is well serviced by a large Coles, Brewsters, IGA, Thomas Dux, and several liquor outlets, so it is a credit to him that they have managed to not only remain a part of the scene but to be voted as the strip’s favourite in a local poll.

This is a great little shop — they stock an interesting range of wines and beers. Not the usual stuff — they go out of their way to find things that you probably haven’t seen before. Also some nice Italian foodstuffs e.g. pasta and tomatoes. The wines are very affordable too.

This little wine store ticks all my boxes.
— It’s owned by a family (not a multi-​national).
— They champion small producers and there’s always something new in store.
— They have a cheese room (bonus points for that) and a small selection of deli and dry goods.
— They hold regular free tastings as well as structured wine tastings for a very reasonable $ 35.
— The owner, Jose, knows his stuff (he is himself a wine maker) and is one of the friendliest guys going.
Win.