Annabel's Is Ponsonby's New Neighbourhood Wine Bar

The idea for Annabel's Wine Bar was dreamt up by childhood friends Henry Temple and Oliver Scutts in a café in Paris, before eventually being formulated on bar stools in the heart of Auckland. The wine bar has been a life-long dream for the pair who come from various backgrounds in the hospitality business: Temple arrives from a stint at Seafarers Members Club while Scutts is notably the brains behind the New Zealand Rosé Co.

Celebrating their two favourite things — a drink and a snack — they call Annabel's, "A modern day rendezvous, welcoming all walks of life." Further on that philosophy, they hope to create a neighbourhood atmosphere centred around great wines from around the world, and rather than get tangled up with wine snobbery and chewy tannins, they intend to take the pressure out of the wine experience by making it as uncomplicated as possible.

The wine list will change from season to season. While a small selection of wines will be familiar to most imbibers, the rest will be unconventional styles and varietals from around the world. Current menu finds include a Chardonnay from California compared to créme brûlée, a Syrah and Grenache blend from Spain, and a Portugese red touted as the world's best secret.

To wash it all down a food menu has been created by Maia Atvars — the Sous Chef at Depot. The tapas-style menu includes classic drinking fare like cured meats sliced to order, cheese by the gram, preserved sardines and a serrano ham baguette.

Find Annabel's Wine Bar at 277 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby. It's open Monday to Sunday 3-11pm.