Without knowing what you were looking for you could easily miss it, with a minimal exterior blending into the main strip of Nobby’s Beach is SOMM Wine Store. Inside, walls are clad with intriguing handpicked bottles of vino, curved features & a minimal colour palette, an extension of ones home, warm and inviting. SOMM has filled a serious gap in the Gold Coast’s market providing access to great wine with a focus on showcasing small procedures & makers.
For January’s edition of ‘In Conversation With’ we had the pleasure of interviewing owner of SOMM Wine Store, Joe. Community is at the core of SOMM, from the local family owned makers showcased to Joe’s desire to share these with Gold Coast locals and build relationships from a shared appreciation of good wine. We learn of the inspiration behind establishing SOMM for Joe & his wife Natalie and the key learnings from the experience. And, in keeping with our piece's theme we focus on delving into design & interiors, favourite restaurants and practices to end the day.
We hope you enjoy this piece as much we enjoyed creating it and for all your wine needs learn more about SOMM via @sommwinestore
01. In your own words can you tell us what you do?
I own SOMM Wine store along with my wife Natalie. Operating a business that is open 7 days a week and sourcing wine, takes most of my time.
02. What was the inspiration behind starting SOMM?
Working in the industry for 20 years I have come across a lot of great wine - made by small producers, families and made with respect to the land. We wanted to make these available on the Gold Coast.
03. What has the greatest learning experience been from establishing SOMM & what have you enjoyed most?
It takes a team. I’ve learnt to share tasks and responsibilities with the team as opposed to try and do them all myself. What I enjoy the most is getting to know all of our customers. I love the relationships and friends I’ve made.
04. Is there anything you are currently working on or towards?
For me at the moment, it's more personal - so a more balanced life! I always loved cycling, but unfortunately the bike is a bit dusty. I would like to spend more time with my family and friends.
05. You’ve created such a beautiful space with SOMM, what was the inspiration behind this?
It was a shared vision for my wife and I. We wanted to create a stylish space that was welcoming and inviting, that felt like an extension of our home.
06. How would you describe your own approach to interior style?
Clean lines, minimalistic, no clutter, timeless.
08. If you weren't living on the Gold Coast, where would you live & why?
The Gold Coast is a great place to live and I am grateful to live here, but if I had to choose somewhere else it would be Barolo (in Piedmont, Italy). It's an incredible location because you can drive to the beach, drive to the Alps, surrounded by the vineyards and you can experience all the seasons. The landscape is breathtaking and the food and wine is incredible and unforgettable.
09. Who makes the best coffee?
Funnily enough, I’m Italian and I don’t drink coffee.
10. Favourite places to eat & drink on the Gold Coast?
We have so many great places on the Gold Coast. Rickshores, Social, North Room, Piatto, Matteos are some of our favourites. We are also lucky to have Gemellini and Hachi close to the shop too. We like Highland Court which is a great local. My wife and I love cooking and entertaining also, so we enjoy eating at home too and its BYO!
11. Favourite way to unwind at the end of the day?
I love cooking. It stimulates my imagination and creativity which I find relaxing - matching a nice glass of wine with it too.
