“Lennox is really a ‘passion project’ for us. A mix of what we love, which is wine and community, and our joint skill set of retail and marketing,” Gosia Gibson, co-owner of the newly opened Canterbury wine bar, Lennox, tells Broadsheet.

Gosia, who previously worked in the wine industry in a marketing and communications capacity, along with her husband, James Gibson, an e-commerce consultant, started thinking about running a bar during the 2021 lockdowns. The pair began scouting for a location last year, finally opening the spot this winter.

Lennox has made a home for itself on Maling Road, a charming Melbourne shopping strip with a village feel. The bar adds some edge to the quaint street, which is known for its Edwardian architecture, and the Gibsons have quickly attracted a community of regulars.

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The lively couple can be found behind the bar preparing curated plates, talking to guests and pouring glasses from their list of exclusively Australian wines.

There are a dozen by-the-glass options to choose from and dozens more bottles that guests can either enjoy in-house or as takeaway. There’s also a short list of Aussie beers and classic cocktails including Margaritas and Negronis.

The petite menu is made up of small plates, including whipped ricotta with bresaola crumble and pesto served with fresh baguette slices, as well as charcuterie with a rotating selection of locally sourced meats and cheeses, and grilled peaches with burrata.

For something more substantial, there’s a chicken and leek terrine and a rotating selection of jaffles that all come with pickles and potato chips. And for sweets, there’s a delicate chocolate mousse served with an amaretti biscuit crumble, or a duo of cannoli.

“It’s been a long-term vision of ours to open something that gives back to the community that we live in,” says James. The couple are hopeful that other hospo operators will follow their lead so the strip can become a food and drink destination for a younger demographic.

Lennox Wine
114 Maling Road, Canterbury
(03) 9193 6069

Hours:
Tue to Thu midday–9pm
Fri & Sat midday–11pm
Sun 3pm–7pm

lennoxwine.com.au