General News
15 November, 2024
Oak and Hound, limited licence, unlimited potential
TONY Miles and Ros Wagg are finally ready to welcome patrons to their new venture, Oak and Hound, after a challenging year of delays and licensing issues.
TONY Miles and Ros Wagg are finally ready to welcome patrons to their new venture, Oak and Hound, after a challenging year of delays and licensing issues.
Their vision for Ararat’s first dedicated wine bar has taken time to be realised, but now they are gearing up for the opening in December.
“It’s been a long and rocky road but here we are 12 months later,” said Tony.
“We've had our licence approved, it is a limited licence, which restricts the hours we can open and the number of patrons and our range but that’s not going to deter us.
Initially, Oak and Hound will offer 10 different wines, focusing on rotating local varieties to keep the selection fresh and dynamic.
“Every time you come in there will just about be a new line and we will be able to showcase a different local wine,” Tony said.
“Our whole mantra is to showcase the best of local produce and local wines around Ararat and the area, especially those smaller wineries that may not have a cellar door, but we can promote their brand and promote their product. One week it might be a Shiraz from a certain winery, the next a Viognier.”
The couple’s mantra is simple, local first.
With a starting list of six reds and four whites, the wine bar aims to reflect the diverse offerings of the Ararat region. Tony and Ros were inspired by their visits to wine bars in Beechworth, where they enjoyed sipping wine by the fireplace. “We thought this is great sitting here having a wine sitting by a fireplace with a bit of cheese and thought why doesn't Ararat have these, it’s a wine region,” Tony said.
In addition to wines, Oak and Hound will feature five beer lines, all sourced from local brewery Paper Scissors Rock. The charcuterie boards will spotlight local cheeses and bakery items, including award-winning selections from Long Paddock Cheese.
The space is designed to be intimate, with a capacity of 30 patrons, allowing for a cozy and personal experience. Despite the setbacks, Tony and Ros are optimistic about the future. “We certainly got a lot of people reaching out to us on Facebook and the residence page, asking when we are opening and we didn't have an answer for them unfortunately, but now that’s behind us”
While they don’t have an exact opening date, the bar will initially operate on a Thursday to Sunday schedule.
Thursday and Friday: 5pm-11pm, Saturday, 12 pm-11pm Sunday, 12pm-9pm.
The Oak and House is at 188 Barkly Street Ararat.