It was a freezing, unfriendly day in the Victorian Alps and while desperately trying to tune into Essendon’s caning of North Melbourne in the AFL’s second round, driving up alp and down dale, I began what might have been a soulful longing for the definitive alpine escape: a warm, cosy room with an open fire and comfortable furniture, a wide menu which operated virtually any time of day, a decent beer, and above all – which is where this dream entered the world of fantasy – a decent wine list. Impossible? So I thought. For no other reason than it was there and so was I, I bolted through bucketing rain from the car to check out Bogong Jack’s, a brilliant little wine bar at Bogong Alpine Village of all places. Two hours later I still didn’t want to leave. Like a large private lounge and dining room, it was warm, friendly and very hospitable, my vision encapsulated. And the wine list? Surprisingly large and comprehensive, international, thoughtful and individual, presenting an astonishing number of wines of genuine scarcity and interest. I’ll definitely be back.
