The Freo Doctor

For such an unassuming building on a suburban street, it has long attracted those with a rebellious streak. Towards the start of the millennium, Jock Wilberforce established the Freo Doctor here. Before him, the Sgro family made their own table wine in the basement, dating back to the 1920s.

While you’ll still find remnants of this winemaking history downstairs, the hock and claret production of yesteryear has been replaced with an intimate tasting room. Here, Wilberforce hosts food and drink events for the store’s customers. Held monthly, these events are perfect for those wanting to expand their knowledge in a relaxed, informal setting.

Upstairs, the Freo Doctor’s inventory revels in its freedom. The global beer selection is particularly impressive and features hometown heroes (Feral, Nail Brewing) sharing shelf space with Kiwi standouts such as Epic and 8 Wired, as well as American craft giants Founders and Sierra Nevada. Limited releases and hard-to-find collaboration brews are a specialty of the store, ensuring there’s always something interesting for dedicated hop-heads.

The spirit and wine selection is no less exciting, not least for drinkers with an interest in organic, biodynamic and natural viticulture. Service is a blend of nice and know-how, with staff eager to talk about the store’s treasury of interesting booze.