Samuel Pepys

If you’ve ever looked for a good bottle of natural wine in Northcote, you’ll have likely visited Samuel Pepys. In addition to boutique wines to go, the neighbourhood bolthole also offers wines by the glass and small bites.

The by-the-glass menu changes a few times a week, but the Samuel Pepys crew are happy to open a bottle if something special takes your fancy. There are more than 400 bottles to either take home or to enjoy in-house for a flat corkage fee. The store has a strong range of interesting drops at more affordable prices, as well as a selection of “rare gems” and skin-contact wines from Europe and Australia.

The wine bar has al fresco tables out the front and, inside, a centrepiece bar made from a single piece of Western Australian jarrah wood. There’s also a small kitchen that turns a rotating menu of snacks. The day-to-day offering might feature Cuca tinned sardines, clams and squid; a selection of cheeses; cured meats, including salami and ham; and terrine.