Glou: Melbourne’s Sustainable Wine Store and Bar

Glou, glou – the French expression for ‘glug, glug’ – is the inspiration behind the name of Melbourne’s newest sustainable wine store and bar. Situated on Smith Street, Collingwood, Glou is generating some serious street buzz with their punchy range of ethical Australian wines at a very good price. Milk Bar visited the venue one Thursday arvo to find out what the fuss was about.

Glou is the latest venture by dream team and married couple, Rahel Goldmann and Ron Davis. Collectively spending 30 years working in restaurants and upmarket wine stores, they are now a pioneering force redefining how we sell, buy and consume wine. While established markets for environmentally conscious wine processes exist in regions like Europe, in Australia, it is virtually non-existent.

Goldmann adds context to the state of our current wine manufacture and consumption, highlighting the over-reliance on single-use processes, ‘It finds itself in single-use glass, under single-use closures and wrapped up in single-use labels. As much as these things can go into our recycling bins, unfortunately in Australia that system is just not where it needs to be.’

The result is Glou’s conscientious effort to provide customers with a sustainable, environmentally responsible offering. Davis explains that he works directly with local winemakers to take their wine straight from a barrel into 30-litre Key Kegs, created by Dutch company One Circle. Customers can purchase a reusable vessel in three sizes: 500ml or 1000ml bottles, or a 2000ml growler. The kegged wines are a more affordable approach, meaning that the cost for premium wine is cheaper than you think.

Their impressive wine-on-tap list features independent producers who create a delicious drop without unnecessary interference with the land. And this is where Davis really shines – his background as a dope sommelier and passion for sustainable viticulture flows. He walks us through the elegant wines and shares stories of their creation. Dirty Black Denim, made by Melbourne brothers Tim and Lawrence Scanlon, create wine from across Victoria, and their range is pure, reflective and expressive as hell. We would recommend ‘Cowabunga’ or ‘Daft Gunk’. Charlotte Dalton is another producer worth mentioning. Davis recalls that Charlotte is one of the most detail-orientated winemakers, and it shows in every sip of her ‘Love You, Love Me’ Semillon.

Glou’s vibe as a wine bar is relaxed, a little oasis from the hubbub of Smith Street. While they are known for their wines, we recommend the Gin & Booch or the Monceau Blood Orange Kombucha if you are after something a little refreshing. Snacks are a big thing, so order a vegan cheese plate and some nuts sourced (extremely) locally, often just by Goldmann hopping on her bike to pick up the ingredients.

For wine that is produced in the kindest and least destructive way possible, head to Glou now to purchase some vino or order a few glasses among like-minded, ethically conscious friends.

Glou
310 Smith Street, Collingwood, 3066
Open Tuesday to Sunday, Tuesday to Thursday, 12pm to 9pm, Friday and Saturday, 12pm to 11pm, Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
glou.com.au