By James Wilkinson
The Winery, Keystone Hospitality’s highly anticipated Surry Hills outpost of the Gazebo Wine Garden in Elizabeth Bay, is set to open for trading on Friday (Sep 18).
Located on a former Sydney Water site dating back to 1889, The Winery is the latest venture for the fast-growing Keystone Hospitality group, headed by Fraser Short and John Duncan, and the brainchild of Paul Schulte, the licensee and co-owner behind the successful Gazebo Wine Garden in Elizabeth Bay.
Schulte said the new venue’s location – down a cobbled lane near the corner of Crown and Campbell Streets – was ideal and he was confident The Winery would quickly prove to be a popular establishment, particularly for Surry Hills locals.
“Everybody loves a hang-out – somewhere you can meet friends, drink amazing wines, eat incredible food and listen to great tunes,” he said. “Surry Hills is the perfect spot (for that)… like Elizabeth Bay, its rich with great restaurants and pubs, but we wanted to bring something to the area that bridges the gap.
Just like Gazebo in Elizabeth Bay, The Winery will also be home to an eclectic array of furniture – from a chandelier featuring antelope heads and bright gold feathers to French chairs dating back to the 1900s – and of course exceptional wine.
Sommeliers Andrew Jamieson and Tom Glenwright have been sourcing wines from around the world and like Gazebo, unusual drops will be the star attraction of The Winery’s wine list that will include more than 50 by the glass.
True to its name, The Winery will also be home to perhaps Sydney’s most unique wine experience – barrels will be shipped down each month from Hunter Valley wineries and tastings will be available straight from the oak.
Then there’s the private dining room ‘Graceland’, which is highlighted by a communal table featuring built-in wine buckets and large gold-studded couches and thrones.
“Everybody will get an experience (because) we love the unexpected, it keeps life interesting,” Schulte said.
The Winery is located at 285A Crown Street, Surry Hills and open from 3pm-midnight (Mon-Thu) and midday-midnight (Fri-Sun).
