Whether you're a wine novice or an armchair expert, it's always a joy to expand your beverage-based horizons. Newtown's tiny wine bar and bottle shop Famelia is here to help — offering guests plenty of ways to sample wines from some of Australia's most interesting and inventive producers.
The brainchild of Amelia Birch, Famelia is located in an Enmore Road building (the former home of Cittavino) directly across the road from another beloved purveyor of booze, P&V Liquor + Wine Merchants.
The list here is kept short and simple, with a rotating list of 12 wines by the glass that changes weekly. Or, if you're looking to share a bottle, you can also browse the full selection from the bottle shop and enjoy it at retail price (plus corkage). Birch and the team are effortlessly approachable, so if you find yourself lost for what to drink, just ask for a recommendation — that's what they're there for.
If you're looking beyond wine, Famelia's cocktail list is far from thrown together, with yuzushu and pét-nat spritzes plus mandarin margaritas. And if you're feeling snacky, there are plenty of dips, cheeses and deli meats to taste your way through, weekly desserts and Birch's secret family egg dip.
Open Wednesday–Sunday, the bar can host 25 wine lovers inside and an additional eight to ten out on Enmore Road. You can also try before you buy at the bottle shop, with a range of wines open to taste if you're on the hunt for that perfect thing to bring to your dinner party or to pair with tonight's spag bol.
Images: Philippa Enid.