Hobnob at The Wine Hub in Fairy Meadow

You may know of several breweries and distilleries that have popped up around Wollongong in the past couple of years, but you may not have you heard of The Wine Hub – a unique local space hosted by winemaker Simon Hall.

Simon and partner Lauren Mills started The Wine Hub in 2020 – six weeks before Covid – in Victoria Street, Wollongong. You can imagine how that went. Fast forward to 2023 and they have reshaped the business into a wholesale/retail cellar door come function space in a warehouse in Montague St, Fairy Meadow, which opened earlier this year.

Simon has a history in wineries dating back to his upbringing in his home town of Griffith. He studied winemaking at Charles Sturt University and briefly dabbled in business management before getting serious about making his own wine. He has travelled the world, working with winemakers in France, New Zealand and the US to learn his craft.

Simon and Lauren settled in the Illawarra about 10 years ago and are now juggling their new venture with two small children, so are keen to make The Wine Hub a family friendly business. Daughter Estella and son Keaton have wines named in their honour.

Simon sources grapes from regions like Cowra, Young and Tumbarumba, and makes his wine at Two Figs Winery in Berry. He makes over 30 different wines, including reds, whites, sparkling, fortified and the low alcohol pét nat. He makes organic wines under the label Vita Vie and is keen to increase his range of natural wines. Simon loves to experiment with flavours – he's tried a chocolate port and used a natural melon flavour to make a sparkling sweet wine like a Moscato – which he says is very popular.

Alongside her part-time job in a bank, Lauren is manager, front of house and a trained chef so food is her thing. At the cellar door, you’ll find cheese platters with locally sourced ingredients and pizzas to accompany your choice of beverage. As a budding artist, Lauren’s work is featured on some of the wine bottles and will soon adorn the walls of the cellar door space.

Supporting local is front of mind at The Wine Hub where, if wine's not your thing, you can get beer from local brewers like Five Barrel and spirits from distillers like Wolf and Woman and Headland Vodka. You will also find Darkes Forest apple cider.

Unlike brewing and distilling, there is a seasonal cycle to winemaking. Harvest is February to April, followed by pruning and bottling of whites in July/August then red blends in September/October. Simon tells me that summer is a time for rest for winemakers. The Wine Hub is more than just a place to buy and drink great wine. You can also learn about the process direct from the source.

The Wine Hub wholesales to bottleshops locally and further afield. Look for the Propaganda label, which is a premium wine.

Follow The Wine Hub on Instagram for news on the cellar door openings and events.

Join the Hub Club for special offers and exclusive events.

Private functions are available on request.