Mother Vine

A great spot just off of everyone’s near-​favorite laneway Ebenezer — Mother Vine had a rolling wine list, a great atmosphere, friendly staff, and unisex toilets — something I hope to see more of in Adelaide in the months to come.

We’ve been visiting the East End a bit more than usual lately, & its difficult to resist gravitating to this great Venue. It wears the label of sophisticated wine bar with ease, with offerings ranging from an interesting range of internationally sourced sherries to local wines & beers. The small food plates are designed to share and are unusual enough to talk about while enjoying. I love that they warm the rillettes for service. The lovely surprise were the accompanying sour cherries. Fantastic. The harlequin carrots is a great dish, with darling baby carrots in 3 colours, still with their tops on. These highlighted a plate if quinoa, good quality fetta, watercress & again there was this lovely surprise of dried red fruit (goji or cranberry ?).
Service is understated and friendly. Great place for the beginning, middle or end to an evening. I will just keep coming back for as long as they keep up this lovely combo :)

I was a little unsure about Mother Vine at first. The décor is a bit too shiny for my liking. And there is a bit too much glass. (Fussy, much?)
But that was turned on its head last night as we enjoyed a delightful bottle of Gunderloch ‘Fritz’s’ Riesling (2013). Green apple, musk sticks. A little sugar up front and then a nice dry finish.
A small plate of grilled halloumi with lemon and herbs was the perfect accompaniment and salty-​rich snack after a lack lustre meal and bottle next door at NOLA.

We came here for lunch on a Saturday instead of Cheesefest! The wine list was amazing and the staff were attentive and knowledgeable. We ordered the motherboard… It was absolutely delicious, and the choice of cheeses were spot on.

Food great. Interesting wines. Service appalling. Prices reasonable. Interesting atmosphere. Young crowd and buzzing.

Always great service, the staff find time for a chat even on their busiest evenings. Superb wine list and food to match. Oozes class and fun.

A touch on the pretentious side, but a solid wine bar nonetheless, especially for those willing to part with some $ to try some mid-​to-​high end wine. A little surprising that there wasn’t more of a local flavour on the wine list, but I guess the main wine regions are only an hour’s drive away from town. Could also have a more extensive ‘by the glass’ list, but that’s not a problem if you’re with a few people as you can go through a couple bottles quite easily on a weekend afternoon! Was lovely to try out but with some of the world’s best wine so close by at their cellar doors, I think next time I’ll head straight to the source for a drop.

Love it! I was looking for a little wine bar with funk and Mother Vine does not disappoint. The staff are friendly, fun, the vibe is after work friends, couples and the background is a great soundtrack. I did not need to look at their extensive wine list because I simply asked for a buttery Chardonnay and even though they did not have the classic version I was presented with a delicious one. The warmed olives are delightful.
For my second glass all I needed to ask for was a full bodied red and I was given one of the most delicious reds I’ve tasted.
Mother vine I look forward to returning.

We pop in mid afternoon on a weekend.
Mother Vine’s exterior blends modern & heritage and the little laneway tables seem Parisian. But on this chilly day, the very comfortable big green couch inside beckons.
Grown up interiors create a sophisticated space, with a variety of seating options for different sized groups. From the silver tiled bar, to the exposed brick work, the renovation from the former East End Cellars retail store is stuning. Service comes to you which enhances the feeling that this is not just another bar.
Music is jazzy and at a level that creates atmosphere while allowing conversations to be held at normal volumes — a blessing!
Similar to it’s sibling across the laneway, East End Cellars, Mother Vine has a rather impressive looking coffee machine doing more than just decorating bar.
A large temperature controlled cellar displays some of the offerings on the ever changing wine list.
It was between meal times when we visited, and the regularly changing menu includes shareable snacks that would go well with your tasting. As well as the nibbles, the menu spans more substantial options, like lamb & veg pie, a beef tagine, or confit duck. Food is created by caterer extraordinaire Ali Seedsman, and finished onsite.
While not on the menu on our visit, InDaily note that Chef Julian Damon also offers vegetarian and vegan options and fresh salads daily, such as rocket and fennel salad, a broken-​down Caprese with fresh salted tomato steaks, braised Thai leek salad, and caramelised onion with bok choy. Presumably this is on an on-​request basis.
A suitably substantial wine list covers local, SA, interstate and imported wines by the glass or bottle.
Every week in addition to this, there is a short-​listed selection of wine specials, offered by the taste or glass.
There is even an SC Pannell white and red «on tap» for a tiny $ 3 a tasting. Bargain!
The tasting size is is a clever way to try a wide selection of wines that are outside of your regular routine.
Stunning surrounds for a classy date, a different business lunch, or to start or end your night. Create your own wine degustation, mix and match with food in style.

Just re-​learning Rundle Street East End.
Called into Mother Vine as was just finished eating at East End Cellars.
Interesting wine bar
I’m hin the old East end cellars building. Very friendly atmosphere and staff knowable about wine. Will need to call in again soon. I had a good time while there. recommended!

Oh dear, Mother Vine… why don’t you live up to the great service and vibe that I had that opening week? I have given you many chances, but after the fourth visit of lack lustre service, I have to take away one star, I am so sorry, but I have to be fair… your cousin Tasting Room at East End Cellars will now get my patronage. Mother Vine, you cannot just hope that your very impressive wine list will lure your clientele over. It has to be backed up by solid service — knowledge, warmth, and attentive service. I will go back, but less often, because I do enjoy the wine list by the glass… but I hope that the service will improve — it should match the stunning wine list you have!

Mothervine emerged from the ashes of good ol’ East End Cellars’ previous location. It is owned by the same peeps. This is Bizarro East End — sharp edges with spartan interiors catering mostly suits, metro, and the occasional hipster.
The wine list is so-​so considering the massive wine network at their disposal — but it is a list that attempts to cater the average palate. Surprisingly many wines are from overseas (I guess people prefer to be seen drinking a bad French wine over a good local drop — appearances do matter, you know).
Following the footsteps of Cantina Sociale (on the other side of town), they have a couple of wines in caskets. The red was not worth a second glass though.
There are lots of eager, friendly staff and most of the time you will be standing up (or perched on a high chair).
Yes it is an «A-​OK» location, but too cold, too detached. It is more of a «Look at that fool, now back at me, see how I hold my glass stem» rather than a «Holy vines, Batman! That was one mighty drop»

We came across Mothervine this week. It wasn’t overly busy but they just opened for business and my guess is it won’t be quiet in there for long. They offer wine by the taste, glass and bottle. We opted to make our own flight of Southern Australian wines based on their wine list (this was an awesome idea.) We also had the side of spiced nuts to compliment the wine.
The staff was very helpful and friendly. We would definitely go back on our next trip to Adelaide.