Bar Rochford still scooping accolades despite COVID

Posted on 18 August, 2020

COVID has slowed the world of hospitality, but for some venues, the accolades keep rolling in.

Yesterday, Wineslinger announced Civic’s Bar Rochford as the only bar from the ACT to make their Top 50 Wine Venues for 2020.

Voted on by over 100 of Australia’s leading winemakers, food and wine journalists, sommeliers and tastemakers, the Wineslinger Awards were created by Young Gun of Wine Founder Rory Kent in 2018 as a way to recognise excellence in the industry.

From this list of 50 venues, three trophies will be given—‘Wineslinger’, ‘Best New Haunt’ and the ‘Maverick’—with each winner scooping two “immersive” wine experiences, hosted by Victoria’s Ocean Eight and South Australia’s Henschke Wines respectively—once restrictions allow, of course.

Rory says that now more than ever, we need to champion the venues that bring us joy.

“COVID-19 has made it a pretty tough year for venues nationwide, with forced closures across the industry. We’ve all been bottled up. Some adapted by pivoting to selling wine retail and food as takeaway, some others battened down the hatches and waited for the storm to pass, while others cut their losses and shut up shop.”

“Right now is a time when venues need support and recognition more than ever. It’s a time to celebrate those places and hospitality professionals that we love. Additionally, we’re determined to raise funds through Tip Jar that will feed, house, employ, upskill and support the food and beverage industry.”

Bar Rochford owner Nick Smith (left). Credit: Lean Timms.

Tip Jar is a recently established relief fund for Australia’s hospitality workers. With a goal to raise $100,000, all donations will go towards “saving our great Australian hospitality industry”. Read more about Tip Jar here.

Rory and the Wineslinger team will be supporting Tip Jar through their People’s Choice Award—a fourth trophy—for which voting is now open.

For every member of the public who votes in the Wineslinger People’s Choice competition, Wineslinger will make a $1 donation, up to $5000, with voters also able to make their own donation to Tip Jar.

Voting is now open at younggunofwine.com/wineslinger and closes on 19 October at 12 pm. The 2020 Wineslinger trophy winners will be revealed in a virtual presentation later that evening.

WINESLINGER’S TOP 50 WINE VENUES FOR 2020

ACT

– Bar Rochford, Canberra

NEW SOUTH WALES

–  10 William Street, Paddington

–  Alberto’s Lounge, Sydney

–  Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Sydney

–  Bibo Wine Bar, Double Bay

–  Dear Sainte Eloise, Potts Point

–  Ester, Chippendale

–  Fix Wine, Sydney

–  Fleet, Brunswick Heads

–  Love, Tilly Devine, Darlinghurst

–  Ode Bar, Bondi

–  Poly, Surry Hills

–  Ragazzi, Sydney

–  Where’s Nick, Marrickville

–  WyNo x Bodega, Surry Hills

QUEENSLAND

–  Cru Bar + Cellar, Fortitude Valley

–  La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane

–  La Lupa, West End

–  Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane

–  Snack Man, Fortitude Valley

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

–  Hellbound, Adelaide

–  Leigh Street Wine Room, Adelaide

–  Mother Vine, Adelaide

–  The Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale

–  The Summertown Aristologist, Summertown

TASMANIA

–  Havilah, Launceston

–  Lucinda, Hobart

–  Sonny, Hobart

–  Stillwater, Launceston

–  Tom McHugo’s Hobart Hotel, Hobart

VICTORIA

–  Bar Liberty, Fitzroy

–  Carlton Wine Room, Carlton

–  City Wine Shop, Melbourne

–  Embla, Melbourne

–  Etta, Brunswick East

–  France-Soir, South Yarra

–  Geralds Bar, Carlton North

–  Marion, Fitzroy

–  Napier Quarter, Fitzroy

–  Old Palm Liquor, Brunswick East

–  Union Street Wine, Geelong

–  Winespeake, Daylesford

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

–  Lalla Rookh, Perth

–  Le Rebelle, Mount Lawley

–  Liberté, Albany

–  Lulu La Delizia, Subiaco

–  Madalena’s Bar, South Fremantle

–  Petition Wine Merchant, Perth

–  Settlers Tavern, Margaret River

–  Wines of While, Perth

Photography: Lean Timms