Glou

The Verdict

We love a wine down here in Melbourne, and we also love a yarn. So we think you’re going to love the new Glou wine store opening on Smith Street. The team behind Glou are building a community around sustainability and awareness in the wine industry with their part shop, part tasting bar. You can pop in for a chat and a sample, before stocking up on your favourite sustainable drops. 

This wine store is a bit different to your standard Dan Murphy’s or Liqourland, as there are no labels to be seen. Every wine is only available on tap, and you can choose to purchase by the millilitre. With three sizes to choose from—500ml, 1000ml or 2000ml—Glou is doing their bit to eliminate single-use items in the wine retail sector by cutting out branded bottles, labels and corks entirely, and also some of the cost. Instead, you’ll get one of their pre-designed reusable bottles which you can keep bringing back for refills. You can also return the bottle when you’re done with it for a rebate if you like—not that you’ll ever be done, surely. 

Between the two of them, owners Rahel Goldman and Ron Davis have over 30 years behind them in the hospitality scene. Glou is the culmination of their shared passion for wine and sustainability, and a desire to bring Australia’s wine industry up to scratch. The name Glou comes from the French phrase ‘glou glou’ which translates to ‘glug glug’, so you know these two like a tipple and you can trust them to pick out the tastiest sustainable wines for you. 

The shop itself is a Berlin-style store, with a minimal and sleek design, high ceiling and long, timber tasting bar. The space is also filled with light and has some indoor plants dotted around to make you feel like you’re at home. Head down to Smith Street and say hello to your new favourite wine merchants. 

Image credit: supplied