Whitebark Wine Bar

“Our vision for Whitebark Wine Bar is for it to be a drop-in bar where you can enjoy great wine and food without any pretentiousness.”

Josh Upton and Sandra Petroviski met in 2019 while working in hospitality, bonding over their shared dream of one day owning their own venue.

In early 2022, they moved to North Melbourne and started exploring the local neighbourhood, falling in love with the community’s laid-back charm.

“North Melbourne has a real sense of community,” Sandra explains. “The locals are die-hard and have been here for many years. It’s genuine.”

Initially, they intended to open their wine bar in late 2023, but fate had other plans.

“We were walking around, looking at spaces,” says Joshua. “Then we saw that Westwood Wine Bar was up for sale. The opportunity was too good to pass up.”

In January 2022, they visited Westwood Wine Bar with their Head Chef and close friend, Dion Allen.

“We loved the bones of the place,” says Sandra. “It has so much history, and it was the perfect size for us.

“By that time, I’d also gotten to the point where I didn’t want to work to make someone else’s dream come true. It felt like it was our turn now.”

They secured the keys in June and after a whirlwind renovation, opened their doors in September as Whitebark Wine Bar.

“When you walk into our wine bar, you’re stepping into a celebration of the unique Australian landscape interspersed with family mementoes. And while ‘whitebark’ is not the name of an actual tree, the name and our logo does reflect my minor obsession with eucalyptus trees,” laughs Josh.

Whitebark’s ethos is simple yet effective: provide quality wine and food without the hefty price tag. “We wanted all dishes under $25,” says Sandra. “You can come in for a glass of wine and a couple of small dishes or have the whole menu.”

The team believes in staying creative and keeping things fresh. “As soon as something gets too popular, like our potato cake, we take it off the menu,” laughs Sandra. “We don’t want to get stuck with a signature dish.”

The wine list is equally dynamic, featuring small producers that you won’t commonly find in large retailers. “Take the Anderson Méthode Traditionnelle from Rutherglen. It’s a traditional sparkling wine that people are always taken aback by,” says Josh.

While Whitebark Wine Bar thrives on providing a casual, inviting atmosphere, Joshua and Sandra have ambitious plans for the future.

“We’re opening for a sixth day and testing Monday nights,” says Joshua. “The goal is to offer a four-dish set menu with two glasses of sparkling wine for $40.”

“We also function as a take-away bottle shop. We offer all wines on our list as a takeaway option and reduce the price to level with those of bottle shops!”

Despite the challenges of running a small business, the the team’s passion and camaraderie shine through.

“We all wear the same uniform,” says Sandra. “Josh jumps in the kitchen when needed, and Dion often helps serve tables.

“It’s pretty much only the three of us here, and we’re always ready for a chat. The feeling in here is electric when everyone’s sitting around talking to each other, even strangers. We absolutely love that we’ve created this convivial, community-driven space all around good food and wine.”

Words by Joyce Watts & Photography by Anna Encio