Willows & Wine
Going out on your own is something most people avoid, but then a venue like Willows and Wine comes along to make a solo mission seem downright desirable, perched with a book in one hand and a shiraz in the other.We’re talking about West Melbourne’s bookshop bar, which is the perfect solution to homebodies who want to get out more.It might have opened earlier this year, but the bar’s owning a well-worn look. Vintage furniture adorns the place: oak tables are streaked by sun exposure and uneven chairs are draped with lavender-scented knitted blankets. It’s cosy, pre-loved and stained with memories, much like the books it harbours.One side of the room is lined with bookshelves, filled with everything from To Kill A Mockingbird, to Justin Bieber’s autobiography. We’ve yet to find something over five dollars and most have aged well, with a few wrinkled and frayed exceptions. You’re free to pluck one off the shelf and settle in for a gander with a wine before you buy. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can buy a ‘Blind Date with a Book’ – books wrapped in nondescript brown paper with dot points hinting at what’s inside.Behind the bar ceiling-high wine racks are stocked with European wines like the Villa Wolf from Pfalz, Germany, which is crisp and dry, or the German Dr Loosen riesling that tastes of peach and citrus. Or if you prefer to match your reading with red, order the spicy Pittnauer Pitti, hailing from Austria. There are also wines bottled closer to home. The Huia brings pa