A humble Red Hill wine store sparked a quiet revolution across Brisbane, creating a new wave of independent shops focused on teaching curious locals how to drink better.
A New Way to Buy
For years, buying alcohol in Brisbane was a predictable trip under fluorescent lights, facing walls of familiar labels. But a change has been brewing, starting in the suburbs. A new generation of independent bottle shops is offering a different experience, one that feels more like visiting a bookshop than a supermarket. These spaces are warm, human-scale, and designed to encourage browsing and conversation.
This shift was pioneered by Craft Wine Store, which began in Red Hill in 2012. Its founders, Tony and Tanya Harper, had spent decades in hospitality and wanted to offer something different. They set a clear rule: if a wine was advertised in major chain catalogues, they would not stock it. Tanya Harper explained that they were reacting against a retail scene where hundreds of shops all sold the same few brands. They wanted to provide something more interesting.
Community Hubs, Not Just Shops
That “bookshop” philosophy is now common across Brisbane’s independent scene. These shops are not just places to buy alcohol; they are becoming community gathering points. Dan Wilson brought this idea to his LPO Neighbourhood Wine Store in Tarragindi. After running restaurants in London, he returned to Brisbane wanting to create a local hub, similar to places where he had built community overseas.
His shop, which started in March 2025 in a former post office, keeps eight to 12 bottles open for tasting every day. This approach blurs the line between a retail space and a bar. Wilson said the wines are there for education, conversation, and the joy a new experience can bring. This model is made possible by a newer Queensland wine merchant licence, which allows small businesses to host tastings and let customers linger, moving away from a simple transaction.
Learning in the Glass
This new model is heavily focused on education. Wineism, which began in late 2021 in Albion, operates as both a bar and a bottle shop. Co-owner Ian Trinkle, a former sommelier, uses his background to make wine less mysterious. He believes people have good palates but often lack the specific vocabulary.
Before starting Wineism, Trinkle was already teaching formal WSET wine courses. He continues that educational approach in the shop, whether a customer is asking about a bottle at the bar or signing up for a class. He noted there is a huge appetite for education, pointing to the high volume of enquiries he gets weekly. At the original Craft store in Red Hill, education is more casual. Its weekly tastings have become a neighbourhood event, described by Harper as equal parts socialising and learning, full of chatter and familiar faces.
A Thirst for Something New
These shops assume their customers are curious, not just thirsty. By hosting free weekly tastings of wine, spirits, and beer, shops like Cru Bar & Cellar, The Reserve Cellar, and The Wine Emporium are helping expand palates across the city. They also give small producers a chance to reach customers who would otherwise never find them.
Tanya Harper observed how much tastes have evolved, noting that a gin once considered “premium” 15 years ago now sits among hundreds of local options. She stated that independent shops exist to fulfil a thirst they helped create. As people grew bored with big, familiar brands, these stores were ready to offer them a different, more interesting experience. In a market long shaped by supermarkets, each new independent shop represents a win for discovery and community.
Published Date 07-November-2025
