Miquette wine selection

A Toast to the Coast: Discover Coffs Harbour’s Top Curated Wine Experiences

From casual drinkers to connoisseurs, our top curated wine experiences complement Coffs Coast’s unique flavour. But this blog is more than just promoting another good cafe, bottle shop, bar or restaurant. It is your chance to unlock a sense of community, engage in unique stories, and rediscover a love of life itself. Cheers to adventures of the vino kind!

Bar Que Sera is back, and it’s pouring more than just wine. Nestled in the heart of Sawtell, the bar brings a fresh energy that blends rare bottles with a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can settle in, sip something special, and feel right at home.

Co-owned by winemaker Duane Roy and front-of-house specialist Jason Penrose, Bar Que Sera offers a wine experience that’s both polished and playful. The duo has created a space where good taste doesn’t come with a side of snobbery; just great pours and even better company.

Joining them is chef Mitchell Phillip-Tait, whose journey has taken him from Michelin-starred kitchens in London to three-hatted restaurants in Sydney and Auckland. Now, he’s turning his attention to seasonal produce and creative plates that feel thoughtful but never fussy. “Coming to a smaller venue and being able to be a bit more creative with his food really resonated with him,” says Jason.

Duane’s wine list features over 125 bottles from boutique producers across Australia and Europe. “There are things on there that are a bit different, wines people wouldn’t necessarily have seen elsewhere,” Jason explains. It’s a list that invites exploration, whether you’re a seasoned collector or just curious to try something new.

One of the bar’s most charming features is Duane’s Cellar Raid; a rotating selection of rare bottles from his personal cellar of more than 4,000 wines, some aged over 20 years. These are poured by the glass until they’re gone. “Wine shouldn’t sit gathering dust. It should be opened, shared and enjoyed,” Duane says. Pairings are often spontaneous, like a 2009 Sauternes with chicken liver pâté. It’s the kind of match that makes you smile and lean in for another bite.

“We want people to explore wine in a safe space,” says Jason. “This isn’t a wine exam. It’s about making delicious food and wine accessible and having a bit of fun along the way.”

Duane adds, “Wine should take you to a place. If it doesn’t, we risk becoming a little homogenised. That’s the exciting thing; it should taste like where it’s from.” With its return, Bar Que Sera is more than a wine bar. It’s a celebration of flavour, story and connection. A fresh pour for the Coffs Coast, and a gentle reminder that the best moments are often the ones shared over a good glass.

Bar Que Sera is open Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm; Friday and Saturday Aperitivo from 3 to 5pm & Dinner from 5pm; Sunday Lunch from 12 to 3pm & Aperitivo from 3 to 5pm .
61 First Avenue, Sawtell.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the Coffs Harbour City Centre is French-inspired cafe and wine bar, Miquette. Relaxing on its vined terrasse instantly transports you to Paris, where you will most certainly salivate over fabulous coffee and pastries, savoury crepes, hearty baguettes, or a selection of cheeses and charcuterie. But the ever-changing wine list ensures no two visits to this beautiful bistro will ever be the same.

Owner Eduardo (Ed) likes to keep things fresh, and his ever-changing menu of whites, reds, rosés, sparkling wines, and orange wines are meticulously selected to reflect high quality and a French-inspired ethos. “We try to change the wine list regularly; while reds are more popular in cooler months, whites and rosés dominate in warmer seasons. Every fortnight, I change something”, shares Ed.

Miquette’s thoughtfully curated natural and low-intervention wine selection blends high-quality Australian and international options. Flexible tasting options offer 150ml or 450ml pours to suit individual preferences. Of course, full bottle options are available for parties wanting to share. You can even try a French cider, which pairs well with the curated wine selection. “We try to have something for everyone”, says Ed,whose passion for sharing the story behind each wine, including origins and styles, is infectious.

Open late every Friday, Miquette is the perfect place to unwind and gather with your crew at the end of a working week. And if you’re lucky enough to visit on the first Friday of each month, you can be guaranteed to enjoy a glass or two while listening to live music. “It’s not just about tasting the wines; it’s the whole experience that keeps people coming back!”  beams Ed.It’s clear the French know how to live!

If you want to discover the ‘joie de vin’ (joy of wine) in a welcoming, knowledgeable environment, look no further than Miquette. Salut!

Miquette is open Monday – Thursday, 6am – 5pm; Friday 6am – 8pm; and Saturday 6am – 12pm.
Shop 4/214 Harbour Dr, Coffs Harbour.

Open year-round, Latitude 30 is one of Coffs Coast’s most iconic destinations for experiencing good food and wine. The sublime ocean views complemented by consistently unmatched culinary excellence will never get old. “The first thing I love here is the view—you look out, and it changes your whole day”, shares Italian-born sommelier and host Alessandro Lindiri.

Latitude 30’s rock-solid wine menu is about diversity, focusing on beloved classics and innovative new-world options. Alessandro shares the restaurant’s focus on creating balanced pairings that enhance their food and the wine. “With seafood, we balance with whites or lighter reds—it’s about following the flavour journey,” he says. Whatever your preference, a mix of staple flavours ensures every palate is pleased. Showcasing regional expressions of varietals was a must when designing the menu. “We are lucky to have wines from regions like Coonawarra for Cabernet and Margaret River for Chardonnay,” adds Alessandro.

Renowned Australian wines comprise 70% of the menu; however, lesser-known French, Italian, Spanish, and South American selections also feature. And while we all love the familiar, at Latitude 30, a balance is beautifully struck with some surprising and adventurous choices, allowing guests to explore a world of new flavours. “For me, wine is like a picture—it’s a portrait or a landscape, and we invite guests to explore that,” encourages Alessandro. 

When asked about his favourite drop, Alessandro recommends trying the Grillo from Sicily, a crisp and aromatic white wine. He also recommends the French Burgundies and vibrant Australian Chardonnays. “At the moment, I’m loving the Grillo—it’s been a favourite across Australia for the last few years,” he adds.

Unlike anywhere else in Coffs Harbour, Latitude 30 uses the Coravin wine preservation system, the latest technology that enables the wine to be poured without removing the cork, keeping it fresh for weeks or months.

Alessandro emphasises that Coravin enables the restaurant to serve premium and unique wines by the glass, making high-end bottles more accessible to guests, without compromising quality. “Using Coravin lets people try wines they might not otherwise get a chance to experience … we can play with everything—we can open a bottle from any region and give people a chance to try something truly special.”

Latitude 30 is open daily from 11 am-10 pm
8/1 Marina Dr, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450.