Crack open Christmas cheer with local drinks

DECEMBER. The month that seems to create a whirlwind of celebration, cricket, panic buying and sunshine, all within a few long (but great) weeks.

I’ll do my best to keep the news short and reasonably-sweet this week as you all begin to hit the halfway mark of our calendar’s busiest month of the year.

First up, for those stuck on last-minute Christmas gifts for any family in-laws work colleagues, next-door neighbours or adult kids, may I suggest that the simplest answer is often alcohol. Now (and please don’t get me wrong) I’m not encouraging excess consumption of the substance, simply stating that your Christmas present dilemmas can (usually) be easily solved with a bottle of one’s favourite tipple, or a chilled six-pack that’s set to ensure those festive, summer smiles. Rather than supporting the booze juggernaut that is Dan Murphys, though, why not opt for one of the smaller, independent retailers who are offering a better, more interesting range of Christmas gift ideas who’ll tailor your needs? For me, I feel the team at Blackhearts & Sparrows (Newtown-end, Pakington Street) do this as good any over the Christmas period: their range of wine and spirits (and beers) are second to none, and the staff there are pretty bloody good on their recommendations. Their premade gift-wrapped options/packs are a bonus for anyone with little time to spend in store.

 

If you have a little more time to browsing the booze shelves around town however, the selection at Geelong Cellar Door is a no-brainer: it offers (literally) everything under the sun when it comes to bottles from our local region. I was there recently and owner Jon Helmer poured me a glass of delicious, young Bellarine chardonnay, from a producer I was not all that familiar. It turns out the juice in the glass was from a recently opened winery, 70 Greenhills Estate, who specialise in the production of just pinot noir and chardonnay (the latter of which I tasted was from their 2024 release). While there, I chatted with Jon about his next – albeit slightly delayed – project that’s happening next door at the old Pistol Pete site. I must say, the 40-seater, French themed bistro he has planned sounds absolutely brilliant: think a mix of classic, yet simple, Parisian dishes with a modernised touch and using local produce. This is a new opening in 2026 I’m seriously excited about.

In other local foodie news, Born & Bread Bakehouse will be making a (short) move in the new year, literally only a couple of hundred metres down the road towars the river end of Pako. Their bigger and more welcoming space fits the evolution of this already-highly-regarded brand, and I cannot wait to be a regular that these new digs. Staying in the area, The Birch is now trading nights (Weds-Sat) with an emphasis on a more intimate, restaurant-like experience, rather than the bustling café atmosphere it’s become known for during daylight hours. I’m yet to get there, but if the offering is anything like their other nighttime venue, Baah-Lah, this should be hit (pus, I’m pretty sure my little one will like the sound of their fairy bread ice cream sandwich with toasted marshmallow dessert dish)

 

And for anyone living Fyansford-way searching for a quieter spot to enjoy a morning coffee or Friday night pizza, I can recommend The Door Gallery Café. It’s simple and a little rustic, but ever so welcoming, with that right bit of hospitable charm suited to its cute spot within the historic Paper Mill precinct. I visited with a friend late one Friday afternoon recently, where a decent live band performed in their tiny – almost church-like – setting, with their small pizza ovens pumping away in the background. There’s more than ample outdoor space too, with large tables aplenty. Bless.

Finally, for those not yet aware, the December edition of The Local Palate podcast is out (found on Spotify et al.), and wine industry stalwart Steven Paul chats in-depth on the nitty gritties of wine show judging, as well as our broader Geelong wine region and the pick of his favourite cellar doors experiences to enjoy: it’s a must for any visiting vinophiles you might know heading to our parts over summer, or simply any local vino-enthusiasts keen to discover more about the wineries on our doorstep. Be sure to tune in again later this month, too, when I chat to one of my favourite local entertainers, Piano Bar’s main man Andy Pobjoy, on what he’s excited about for Geelong in 2026.