The Lower North Shore Has a New Laneway Wine Bar

Neutral Bay has a new laneway bar and it focuses on one of the best food pairings in existence — wine and cheese. The Cheese and Wine Co started out as a beloved Instagram account and online wine store and has now opened its first venue, showcasing Australian drops and artisanal cheeses.

The casual bar sits on Grosvenor Lane, just around the corner from the institution that is The Oaks. Focusing on homegrown wines and cheeses from around the country, the new bar will include a few international names on the list as well.

The wine list will rotate every three months on a seasonal basis and be limited to 50 wines maximum, with the list currently at 33 different drops. It spans from easy-to-drink vino to wines geared for a more complex palate, so both novice oenophiles and budding sommelier types can feel at home here. If you find a wine you really like, you'll eventually be able to take it home with you — all of the wines will make their way onto the online shop once they're rotated off the bar list.

On the cheese side of things, the bar has 13 different types to choose from at the moment, with specialties like deep fried camembert and baked brie also making the menu. And like the wine, this list will change regularly as well. Cheese boards are served as share platters alongside charcuterie, salumi and other antipasti, so eating with your hands is encouraged.

If you're looking for a taste of the lot, check out the monthly cheese and wine nights, where winemakers and cheesemongers will be invited to show off their stuff.

The Cheese and Wine Co is now open at 1 Grosvenor Lane, Neutral Bay. Opening hours are Tuesday through Wednesday from 4pm to 9pm and Thursday through Saturday from 4pm to midnight.