About Us
Claret was established in 2026 by husband-and-wife duo Zara Wilkens and Conor McNie, built from a shared love of great wine, good food, and the kind of service that makes you want to stay for one more glass.
Conor’s journey in wine began over 15 years ago, stacking shelves at a local wine shop in Geelong. From those early days, a deep curiosity and passion for wine led him to Melbourne, where he went on to manage some of the city’s top bottle shops. Along the way, he developed a thoughtful, down-to-earth approach to wine, focused less on labels and hype, and more on quality, character, and enjoyment.
Zara joined the wine industry in 2019, bringing with her a broad skill set across ecommerce, owned and operated retail, and omni-channel environments. With a career rooted in hospitality, Zara’s focus has always been on people, how spaces feel, how service is delivered, and how to make everyone feel genuinely welcome, whether they’re seasoned wine lovers or just getting started.
Together, Zara and Conor created Claret as a wine shop, a wine bar, and an inclusive space for all. A place to discover something new, revisit an old favourite, share a snack, ask questions, or simply enjoy a glass in good company. We’re so proud to welcome you in.
Good times call for Claret xo