Sydney Wine Bars With the Best Natural Wines

The Natural Wine Movement in Sydney

Sydney's natural wine scene has matured significantly over the past two years. The city now has more than 30 wine bars that either specialise exclusively in natural wine or devote a substantial portion of their list to low-intervention producers. The defining characteristic of Sydney natural wine bars is the emphasis on small Australian producers working with organic or biodynamic viticulture, combined with a food menu built around seasonal produce and simple preparation.

The Wine Bars to Visit

The Natural Wine Shop in Surry Hills operates as both a retail store and a wine bar. The shop stocks more than 300 natural wines from Australian and European producers. The wine bar section has 12 seats at a counter and opens until midnight on weekends. The staff are knowledgeable and happy to guide you through the list. The Georgian skin-contact orange wine from Iago's Wine is the most popular by-the-glass option.

Lucky's in Newtown is a 40-seat wine bar with a food menu built around shared plates. The wine list is almost entirely Australian and focuses on producers from the Canberra District, Orange, and the Adelaide Hills. The winemaker dinners held every second Thursday are among the best value in Sydney at $85 per person including five courses and matching wines.

Bodega in Potts Point is a 60-seat wine bar with a Spanish and Portuguese focus. The wine list includes natural producers from Rioja, Priorat, and the Douro Valley. The sherry selection is the best in Sydney, with 20 varieties available by the glass. The tapas menu includes jamon iberico, octopus with paprika, and Manchego cheese.

Wildflower in Balmain is a 30-seat wine bar with a New Zealand and Australian focus. The wine list includes natural producers from Central Otago, the Adelaide Hills, and Margaret River. The food menu changes weekly based on what arrives at the markets. The natural pinot noir from the Adelaide Hills is the signature offering.

Claret in Darlinghurst is a 50-seat wine bar with a French focus. The wine list includes natural producers from the Loire Valley, Jura, and Beaujolais. The charcuterie board is the best in the city, with house-cured meats from local producers. The natural gamay from Marcel Lapierre is the standout wine by the glass.

The Price Point

Most natural wine bars in Sydney charge between $14 and $22 per glass. The average bottle price is between $60 and $120. Many bars offer a rotating selection of wines by the glass, which allows you to sample several different producers in one visit. The best value is usually found at lunch, when many bars offer a set menu of three glasses and three plates for $65.

What to Order

If you are new to natural wine, start with a skin-contact orange wine from Georgia or Slovenia. These wines are fermented with the skins and seeds, producing an amber colour and a distinctive flavour profile that includes notes of dried fruit, tea, and spice. The Iago's Wine from The Natural Wine Shop is the best introduction. For red wine, the natural gamay from Marcel Lapierre at Claret is the benchmark. For white wine, the natural chardonnay from Lucy Margaux in the Adelaide Hills is the most distinctive Australian offering.