When you meet Head Sommelier Dan McEvoy at 2KW Bar & Restaurant in Adelaide, you can’t help but feel the passion that inspires him at work. With wine at the top of his pour list, there’s plenty to be charmed by at this Adelaide rooftop venue in the heart of the city – and it’s here he has carefully curated a list that will see you linger longer.
“My ethos behind the wine list has always been “something for everyone, and a wine for every occasion” so making sure price point, wine styles and wine regions are represented in a way that gives the list balance and accessibility is essential,” says Dan McEvoy.
“We have a large selection of local wines on the list as we love to champion local producers be them larger or smaller wineries, but have never been afraid of benchmarking them against iconic producers from abroad,” he says.
McEvoy was raised on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia, and loves to showcase wines from nearby regions like Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale, as well as Pinot Noir with origins closer to Victor Harbor.
MY CITY
Adelaide has always been very special to me, picturesque landscapes, beautiful wineries surrounding and a diverse food and wine scene that always has me looking for the next cult spot
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
My favourite food memory is that of my late grandparents 50th wedding anniversary lunch at d’Arry’s Verandah, at d’Arenberg in McLaren Vale. The Lobster bisque was out of this world (and still is, from other visits), but what really impressed me was the care the staff took in looking after my Grandfather who was suffering from Alzheimer’s and nearing the end. That memory will never leave me.
FAVOURITE BAR
Proof on Anster Lane, and I am an absolute sucker for a Southside made by Joe or Shane. The banter there is next level, and I usually leaving after having a good laugh too.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
A meat pie and a can of Coca-Cola.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Bar Liberty in Melbourne, their wine BTG selection is always well thought out and I usually leave it in their hands. Vibes are always immaculate.
FAVOURITE WINE
2025 Scanlon Fumé Blanc, Adelaide Hills. I am not usually a big fan of Sauvignon Blanc or its derivatives, but the precision and level of care on this wine really won me over. As well as that, Harry Scanlon must be one of the nicest blokes in the SA wine scene currently!
A WINERY YOU LOVED
Bekkers, McLaren Vale. Simply a must-go when in the Vale, wines are immaculate, the setting pristine and the people behind the wines couldn’t be more welcoming.
NEXT DESTINATION
Champagne, I want to get hedonistic on my next overseas trip, so where else.
DINNER PARTY WITH THREE FAMOUS PEOPLE, GO.
I am a massive sports tragic, so I would invite Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Larry Bird. We’d have a lovely dinner, drink copious amounts of good wine and finally settle the debate of who the best basketball player of all time is, once and for all.
BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB AND WHY
The relationships I form with everyone in the wine scene and the people in general. From winemakers, distributors to delivery drivers, I just love having a chat about anything vinous.
2KW STANDOUT WINES ON THE LIST RIGHT NOW:
Tapanappa ‘Foggy Hill’ Pinot Noir, Southern Fleurieu.
From a beautiful albeit often freezing part of the region, this wine is one of my Top 3 South Australian Pinot Noirs, depth of flavour, complexity, and subtle nuances of oak puncuate this stunning example of what Pinot Noir can be from our neck of the woods.
Ministry of Clouds Grenache, McLaren Vale
It would be remiss of me to leave out one of the best examples of South Australia’s hottest wibne commodities currently. Julian Forwood and Bernice Ong have been producing world class wines for some years now, with a plethora of lovely aromatic whites and light reds in their collection, but their Grenache is always the showstopper for me.
Varney Fiano, Langhorne Creek
A superbly balanced white wine that is sunshine in a bottle. I expect this wine to fly out the door come spring.
