Because grape things happen over wine.
Because grape things happen over wine.
When it comes to wine growing and producing, whether you know it or not, Australia is up there in the world with some of the best. And although we might not have the legacy and history of our European cousins, we still knock out some fantastic drops!
Whether you’re a fan of Euro classics or enjoying wines from our very own Terra Australis, we think a well-rounded wine list, and therefore drinking experience, should be celebrated. So next time you feel like the wine selection should be just as good as the food, we’ve gone to great lengths to find the Gold Coast venues with great wine lists and cellars where you can sip to your heart’s content.
Truth be told, we let the Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards do all the heavy lifting for us this time. Seven Gold Coast restaurants were recently awarded three wine bottles (like an AGFG chef hat, but for wine), by this prestigious awards program. Here’s the list.
Yamagen
If you’re looking for a super sleek wine (or whiskey) sipping spot, look no further than Yamagen at the QT Gold Coast. It’s state-of-the-art Japanese for the discerning diner, and now too, the wine connoisseur. Not only did they score three bottles, but they were named in Time Out’s Top 30 Japanese restaurants in Australia. Do we really need to convince you to book a table?
Where: 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Palette
If exceptional art, food and wine sounds like a blend made in HOTA, you’re so right. HOTA’s Palette restaurant hinges its menu closely on what is featured within the current exhibition in the adjacent gallery, meaning you’ll be eating with your eyes as well as your mouth. Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law believes strongly in freshness and seasonality, mirrored by their Australian/New Zealand dominant wine list, showcasing some fantastic producers in our own backyard. If you feel the need to keep things as close to home as possible, you’ll just adore their ‘local list’ with wines exclusively from nearby Granite Belt and Mount Tamborine regions.
Where: Ground Floor, HOTA Gallery, HOTA, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Social Eating House + Bar
A casual, fine dining venue in the heart of Broadbeach, Social Eating House is the perfect place for an award-winning feast AND an award-winning wine list to match. The wine menu is broken down into easy-to-choose sections, including light and aromatic whites, light to medium body reds and bigger shiraz, to name a few. The team is highly knowledgeable and can help you find something to suit your tastes.
Where: Shop 137-138, 3 Oracle Boulevard, Broadbeach
The Tropic
If you’ve ever been to this Burleigh Heads gem, you will be unsurprised to find they’ve also earned themselves three bottles. They’ve got premium, by-the-glass wines poured under coravin, cellar reserve and large format wines. It’s an impressive list, to put it modestly. Make your way through the stellar list with ocean views (arguably the best on the Coast) and lavish Mediterranean style eats. Hours will pass you by.
Where: 3b/43 Goodwin Terrace, Burleigh Heads
Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill
Often touted as the best steak restaurant on the GC, you can trust this is also an ideal setting to savour a perfect pairing or two (the clue is in the name). Work your way through their vast vintage and non-vintage Champagne collection and start a lunch/dinner you won’t forget in a hurry. And if you need a follow-up, their extensive list informs the reader of styles and grapes, with a handy little introduction to each section.
Where: 2685 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
The Langham
Our first multi-wine-award-winning hotel is The Langham Gold Coast! It’s hardly surprising that Cantonese showstopper, T’ang Court was awarded three wine bottles. It boasts a plentiful bespoke wine list to pair with their set menus and a la carte dishes.
While we’re here it’s worth mentioning that Akoya, the Langham’s refined-casual dining venue was awarded one bottle. We suggest you indulge in both if you haven’t already!
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
The Star Gold Coast
We’ll finish on a high with The Star Gold Coast and its lineup of award-winning restaurants. Altogether, five of their remarkable restaurants made it on Australia’s Wine List of The Year.
Nineteen at The Star was awarded three bottles. honestly is there a better place to enjoy an exceptional wine than at a five-star venue overlooking the ocean? Not to mention they have a walk-in, glass window wine room filled with hundreds of bottles of the very finest wines from across the world. Of course, the team at Nineteen are absolute stars when it comes to wine knowledge and pairing.
Uncle Su and Kiyomi were awarded two bottles, while Cucina Vivo and Garden Kitchen & Bar won one. So, regardless of the cuisine you fancy, you’re guaranteed a distinguished wine list to match!
Where: The Star Gold Coast, Casino Drive, Broadbeach
Words by Chelsea Ipsen