A Local Institution Since 1997
Armadale Cellars has been a cornerstone of High Street since 1997, set inside a striking double-storey Victorian manor. Despite its prestigious postcode, the boutique wine store caters to all tastes and budgets. The range spans classic pinot noir and chenin blanc to robust fortifieds, with a particular focus on standout producers like Ocean Eight (Mornington Peninsula), Levantine Hill (Yarra Valley), and Henschke (Barossa). Thereβs always something open to taste, and while itβs not a wine bar, sampling is very much encouraged.
Events That Demystify Wine
Owner Phil Hude is passionate about demystifying wine, hosting regular events in the ambient underground cellar. Signature experiences include the Shiraz Challenge, where guests blind-taste a lineup that can include Penfolds Grange, and the Champagne Challenge, which has featured the likes of Dom PΓ©rignon.
Educational and Entertaining
For those wanting to delve deeper, a suite of five-week wine courses β from beginner to intermediate β teach both tasting technique and wine vocabulary. There are also language-and-wine nights, where you learn conversational French, Spanish or Italian while sipping wines from the corresponding regions. A Lonely Planet phrasebook is included.