Stone House
33 Cavenagh St, Darwin
0412 867 515
CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Rebecca Bullen
WINEs ON LIST 130 (16 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($10-$19 by the glass)
Having a wine bar as good as Stone House would be the cause of great delight to many of the citizens of Darwin. It has a decent number of wines, both by the glass and by the bottle. There are an impressive eight beers on draught, changing regularly, as well as a sizeable list of bottled Australian boutique beers and some gems from overseas.
The 16 everyday wines by the glass are modestly priced, and given a lift by a careful choice of wines that will be less familiar to most. Having more than half from overseas also raises the interest level. There’s similar diversity in the list by the bottle with the breadth of Stone House’s offerings its greatest strength. This is enhanced by its delightful range of ‘Whites (and Reds) that Need Your Love’ – an extensive international collection of alternative varieties.
Many will like the fact that a number of the wines are priced below $50, but those wanting to spend a bit more will also be satisfied. If it must be Marlborough sauvignon blanc, there are four in the cheaper price bracket and the Dog Point Section 94 for $80. The climate of Darwin is well catered for by the beer list, an excellent group of rosés and chilled reds. Stone House is working on enhancing its menu with the introduction of a full kitchen.
CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS: Darwin is a tricky place to maintain a first rate wine list: its isolation and relatively small population limits the number of suppliers. The climate means that many will see beer as a more attractive thirst quencher than wine. Cellaring wine, too, needs careful attention. We are delighted with the quality of Char Restaurant and Stone House which tailor their lists to their clientele admirably.