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It’s an intoxicating mix of cheese, wine, whisky, celebrity, and passion. Plonk and Stink opened late last month and is an intimate wine and cheese bar in the main drag of Flinders on the Mornington Peninsula.
The actual property is owned by musician and TV presenter David Reyne and his wife, wine industry professional Karina Reyne.
“Come lockdown last year we had this shop, and it wasn’t bringing in rent, and David’s work on Nine’s Getaway had fallen away because of the pandemic,” says Karina, formerly the events manager at Jackalope in Merricks North.
The irrepressible pair fell back on what they know best: food, wine, and entertainment and opened Plonk and Stink. The name is explained by David’s father’s cheeky names for wine and Camembert. The fit-out is clean lines, lots of Spotted Gum paneling, and stained Stringybark tabletops.
The experience is about trying Victorian cheese and Victorian wines from small producers from around the state. The flights of three 50ml pours and three 15g potions of cheese start at $30 for the ‘Take Flight’ and involve cheeses from makers such as L ‘Artisan, Berry’s Creek, Milawa and Maffra, with supply changing with the seasons.
Karina’s long-term relationships with the wine industry have allowed the pair to get their hands on some rare and limited museum wines for the ‘Top Flight’ at $60. The most recent offer saw Crawford River ’13 Riesling, Paringa Estate ’14 Pinot Noir, and Elogee Park ’08 Cabernet Merlot, all kept bright and fresh under gas from the Coravin dispenser.
This place is really about the two of us
“It’s about what we love, what interests us. David will deliver the flights to the customers and fill them in on what is on the plate and in the glasses in front of them,” says Karina.
THE DETAILS
Where: 3/37 Cook Street, Flinders,
When: Thu-Sun 12pm-7pm
More info: Plonk & Stink
We wish to acknowledge the Bunurong people as traditional owners of this land and to pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
