Olivine Wine Bar

A wine bar nestled in the old cells of a 170-year old jail, Olivine (pronounced o.lee.veen) is named after the mineral found in bluestone basalt which constitutes Pentridge Prison which closed in 1997. After a revamp and a surprising transformation, Olivine Wine Bar launched in April 2023. This 100-seater wine bar has quickly made a name for itself as being part of a new entertainment precinct happening in Coburg sitting atop the northside of Melbourne, an area of gentrification and expansion. A few months after opening, and previously being part of the pre-opening team and the Wine Director, I was thrilled that Olivine won the Best New Winelist of Australia in October 2023 at the prestigious Qantas Wine List of the Year Awards.

The 550-bottle wine list caters for all tastes but primarily holds itself proud of stocking ethical wines sourced from producers who work with respect of nature. There is a balance of cult wines from well-known regions across the main wine-making countries of Europe and Australia to smaller producers who are championing individual styles, experimenting with alternative varieties and burgeoning viticultural regions. The list is visually attractive with artwork commissioned from a local artist housed in Pentridge itself. Bespoke wine maps, watercolour illustrations depicting imageries like the Gnadenberg Church of Hill of Grace (Henschke), a rustic Clavelin, the town and bridge of Chateauneuf-du-Pape with stories to accompany, adorn the 60-page Book of Wine which invites the drinker to discover a delicious selection of styles and regions as well as a Producer’s Series going deeper into wine philosophy. Wine List of the Year Awards coined the list a ‘thriller more than a wine list’.