Rathdowne Cellars

Trading from the same Rathdowne Street address since 1923, this Carlton North cellar has outlasted the chains that have swallowed up most of Melbourne's independent bottle shops over the past century. The shelves run to more than 1,500 bottles — reds, whites, sparkling, rosé, sherry and even saké — with a strong lean toward fortified wines and more than 150 half-bottles for those not committing to a full drink. Wine storage and glass hire round out a business that clearly serves a neighbourhood of regulars rather than passing trade. The brick shopfront sits among Rathdowne Street's cafes and terraces, an easy stop for anyone renting in Carlton North rather than driving in from further out. Open seven days, with later trading Thursday to Saturday. A century-old address is a rare thing in Melbourne retail, and this one has earned it through range rather than nostalgia.