If people do indeed make places; then you’ll long remember Pt. Leo Director of Beverages and renowned Australian sommelier Amy Oliver when you step inside the fine dining restaurant Laura on the Mornington Peninsula.
She’s the golden ticket at this iconic institution; and pairs the dishes created by Laura’s Executive Chef Josep Espuga with a curiosity that makes the experience all the more worthwhile when dining here.
Working at the prestigious Pt. Leo Estate makes perfect sense for Oliver who gets to further explore her love of wine. It’s also a chance to indulge in a life by the ocean, after having spent years working and living in Melbourne where she curated the acclaimed wine lists at Cutler & Co and Rockpool Dining.
Oliver also holds a 2024 induction into the Hall of Fame for both the Pt. Leo Restaurant & Laura wine lists. She’s a trove of wine region knowledge, and delights in sharing tasting notes and details about the wines she pours – bringing a poetic justice to it all.
Amy Oliver spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
I’ve lived in and around Melbourne nearly all my life, apart from four years living in the UK in my mid 20s. Melbourne is one of those cities that has a real feel to it. It’s that mix of new and old architecture, music and art, food and drinks. I love the old pubs as much as the beautiful bars and restaurants. At the moment, I’m living in Balnarring Beach, and I also enjoy driving away from the city, getting home, and looking at the way the light falls over Western Port.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
For me, there’s a lot of nostalgia tied up in food memories. It’s never just about the dish, it’s about where you are and who you are with, a bit like a bottle of wine. I’m lucky to have a lot of great friends to travel with and have so many amazing food memories, like enjoying a chicken tagine full of spices and dates overlooking the Sahara in Morocco, dinner with exceptional company for my 40th birthday at the French Laundry in the Napa Valley, eating oysters in the Loire, but it’s hard to go past the memory of looking forward to going to my Nanna’s as a child and hoping she would cook a lamb roast with homemade mint sauce from the garden.
FAVOURITE BAR
I’m pretty happy if I find myself at Heartbreaker with a Manhattan in my hand, trying to own the pool table.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
Dry Martin Miller’s Martini with a twist. Because it’s strong and dry.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
Champagne and a Big Mac. A trip to Shujinko for a Karakuchi Ramen, gyoza, and Kirin from the tap also sorts things out.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
I really like going to Mother Vine Wine Bar in South Australia. Nice energy and a wine list with treasures.
OVERSEAS BAR
Absinthe Bar & Brasserie in San Francisco. Old school vibes, beautifully made cocktails by excellent bar people, and a superb wine list. You can get into trouble here.
FAVOURITE WINE
I’m a Chardonnay lover, amongst other things. I’m into the 2023 Taturry ‘Banjo’ Chardonnay at the moment. I’ve been following these wines for a little while, and they just keep getting better and better with each passing vintage. They are also of great value. Speaking of great value on the Chardonnay front, 2023 Domaine Frantz Chagnoleau ‘Clos Saint Pancras’ Mâcon-Villages is also a wonderful wine I’ve been enjoying recently.
FAVOURITE WINERY
I love going to Beechworth and the Alpine Valleys and visiting wineries up that way. There are so many great people doing amazing things.
NEXT DESTINATION
I’ve never been to Central or South America, so I’d like to head somewhere that way next.
New wines on the list and how to pair when we visit Pt. Leo Estate?
I have the 2024 Pooley Gewurztraminer from Coal River in Tasmania paired with a dish of Sand Crab, Tiger beans and Oscietra Caviar. I’m very happy about this pairing. The subtle earthy character of the 2022 Jean-Luc Mouillard Cotes du Jura ‘Rubis’ from the Jura in France, paired with Guinea Fowl Pot Sticker dumpling, Peninsula truffle & Victorian Morels, also makes me happy.
