“A wine list that’s like 500 wines? We’re not doing that,” Wild Legs Wine Room co-owner Manolo Lopez tells Broadsheet. Wine bars don’t typically tout the brevity of their bottle lists, but this new neighbourhood spot in Newstead aims to do things differently.

Wild Legs is the latest venue from the trio behind Albion’s Adela Wine Bar: Lopez, Silvana Calil and Holly Tite. Instead of an encyclopaedic vino collection, Wild Legs offers about 80 bottles – including frequently rotating by-the-glass options – almost all of which are natural wines.

Beyond the focus on sustainably produced, organic and biodynamic drops, the goal is to spotlight Queensland producers. “As far as I’m concerned, we should be parochial about Queensland wines – they’re superb,” says Lopez. “If I go to a bar in Melbourne, they promote Melbourne or Yarra Valley wines. So why don’t we champion local wines here?”

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Some of those on offer include Ballandean Estate, View Wine and Balancing Heart, all from the Granite Belt – one Queensland region Lopez reckons is underappreciated. There are wines from interstate and overseas too but, no matter what’s in your glass, playful exploration is the order of the day.

“You don’t have to know exactly what you want when you come in the door. It’s more casual. You can tell us what kind of flavour you’re after and we’ll recommend something,” he says. That’s where Calil comes in. With more than 30 years’ experience in the wine industry, she’s ready to point any vacillating vino drinker in the right direction.

In addition to its wines, Wild Legs has a surprisingly diverse beer and cocktail selection, with the fresh, savoury Gin Basil Cloud (gin, basil and lemon juice) an ideal pre-dinner drink.

The full crew of classic wine bar options take their place on Wild Legs’ food menu: Gildas, cheese boards and charcuterie, alongside more playful plates like stracciatella with roasted pineapple, and a mini mortadella sandwich on a brioche bun. For Lopez, the standout is the cheese soufflé with malbec-red-onion jam.

The dishes come courtesy of husband-and-wife chef team Jean-Antoine Jeffrey and Priscila Hoerau. Fresh from London, where they previously catered for royals and politicians, the pair are relishing the more relaxed environment. As are Newstead locals, who Lopez says have been “flooding in” since the bar opened on March 19. “It’s been an overwhelming, enormous response. The locals have really embraced this place.” With so much seating outside, under fairy-lit trees on the footpath, it’s an inviting location.

Starting in May, Wild Legs plans to host winemaker nights, giving vintners the chance to guide guests through, and explain their approach to, natural wines. “They won’t be fancy, expensive dinners or anything, just friendly tasting events. For us, it’s all about being approachable, unfussy and unpretentious.”

Wild Legs
22 Wyandra Street, Newstead
No phone

Hours:
Wed to Sat 3pm–late
Sun 2pm–7.30pm
Mon & Tue closed

@wildlegs.wine