A Basement Winehouse Designed For Unpretentious Sipping Has Arrived In Newstead

No embarrassing questions

By Bianca Licina | 29th January 2026

Choosing wine shouldn’t feel like a test — and at Newstead’s newest spot, it doesn’t. Fountainhead Winehouse, founded by Chris Banham and Dan Wilson (of L.P.O Wine Store, Tarragindi), isn’t a wine bar or a bottle shop. It’s a winehouse — a place where discovering wine is approachable, fun, and tailored just for you.

fountainhead winehouse

Hidden in a basement just off Doggett Street, Fountainhead is designed less like a shop and more like a friend’s living room. Think curated shelves, an ever-changing by-the-glass menu, and a team ready to match the right bottle to the right mood — no wine degree required.

Bring the brief, not the knowledge

Here, you don’t need to know the lingo. You simply start with the real question: What’s the occasion? Who’s at the table? What vibe are you chasing? From there, the team will recommend a bottle — or a small curated pack — that fits the moment perfectly. Crowd-pleasers, rare finds, midweek sips or milestone celebrations: they’ve got you covered.

Designed for discovery

Downstairs, it really does feel like that cool friend’s living room. Unexpected textures, vintage touches, and bottles acting as decor. Architectural and interior designer Julia Cox, alongside Brisbane collaborators, have layered subtle lighting, local art, and tactile furnishings to create a subterranean retreat that invites you to linger.

fountainhead winehouse

And the cellar is just as inviting. From accessible everyday bottles to rare, cellar-worthy finds, Fountainhead’s collection spans classic regions, benchmark styles, and small-production gems from Australia and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a casual weeknight pour or something iconic for a celebration, the shelves are stacked with options.

Sip & learn

At the heart of Fountainhead is genuine guidance. Over time, the venue will offer bookable tastings, masterclasses with visiting winemakers, and group sessions, all designed to make wine approachable, informative, and fun.

fountainhead winehouse

“Wine is at its best when it feels welcoming,” says Dan Wilson. “We want people to leave with bottles they actually like, not what someone else thinks they should drink.”

And we say “amen” to that.