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 17 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, wine bar, and inclusive neighbourhood destination. From the beginning, they were determined that the retail experience would remain at the heart of the business, rather than becoming secondary to the bar. Too often, they'd seen venues where the bottle shop became an afterthought as the hospitality offering grew. For Claret, retail is fundamental—not just for discovering and taking home great wine, but for building lasting relationships, encouraging conversation, and fostering a genuine sense of community.
With a shared passion for hospitality and creating memorable experiences, adding a wine bar felt like the natural evolution of Claret. The vision was to create a space that is warm, welcoming and relaxed, where thoughtful service, approachable food and exceptional wine come together without pretence. Whether guests are looking to learn something new, explore an unfamiliar region, or simply enjoy a glass with friends, the bar is designed to meet them where they are.
Inspired by the casual conviviality of European wine bars, Claret operates on a walk-in-only basis, encouraging spontaneity and a true neighbourhood feel. Communal seating, kerbside tables and intimate corners invite guests to settle in, while a custom-built banquette for eight has quickly become the most sought-after seat in the house, designed to bring people together over great food, great wine and even better conversation.
Good times call for Claret xo