Images: Beats, Wines and Life
For a business built around good wine, good music and good company, Beats, Wines and Life was always meant to be part of something bigger.
When Tony Collins opened the specialist wine bar and bottle shop at Provenance Barossa less than 18 months ago, the vision was to create a destination where visitors could spend an afternoon moving between neighbouring businesses, discovering new wines and enjoying the community atmosphere.
But in a surprisingly short space of time, much of that original precinct has changed.
Following the recent closure of Ember Pizza, Beats, Wines and Life has now lost several of its closest neighbours, including the Penfolds Cellar Door and The Barossa Ale Haus.
For Tony, watching the businesses disappear has been difficult.
“It is quite deflating, as we moved into a vibrant precinct with businesses that complemented each other,” he said. “It was a venue you could spend the day at, exploring each business and what they offered. The foot traffic was substantial, and people discovering our business by chance was a positive.”
That sense of discovery was central to Tony’s original vision. After 25 years working in the wine industry, including time overseas and as a wine buyer at Fortnum & Mason in London, Tony returned to his Barossa roots to create something of his own.
Beats, Wines and Life opened with a slightly different take on the traditional wine bar, combining specialist international wines, local producers, vinyl records and a relaxed atmosphere.
The idea was that visitors could browse the bottles, stay for a glass, put together their own charcuterie selection and listen to music without feeling like they had to sit down for a full meal.
And while the surrounding precinct may have changed, Tony says that original idea remains.
“The local customers I have love the fact we operate a proper specialist bottle shop and wine bar with benchmark artisan wines, beers and spirits from around the world,” he said. “Also, the fact we specialise only in non-cellar door local producers means we give those wineries a great window for their wines and a direct outlet to customers.
“For wine enthusiasts, I always get great feedback on our by the glass list too, which a number of customers have said is the best in SA.”
But the loss of neighbouring businesses has inevitably changed the atmosphere around the venue.
Tony says the empty car park has become a very visible reminder of what has happened, with the casual foot traffic that once brought people into Beats, Wines and Life drying up.
“It has been extremely stressful and challenging. We have our regular and returning customers, but the casual foot traffic that may stumble onto our business as a happy accident and enjoy our space has dried up completely.”
Rather than sit still, however, Tony is looking at new ways to give people a reason to make the trip.
The business is growing its events program, with plans for collaborations with food vans and pop-ups, more tasting events, specialist speakers and product and vintage releases. It has also recently launched a new website showcasing its available products alongside an events calendar.
For Tony, it is also about reminding people that plenty is happening in the Barossa beyond the traditional cellar door experience.
“The Barossa is in transition, and I think, from a wine perspective, it is making more exciting wines than ever,” he said. “Alternate varietals, fresher styles and more sustainable practices are all selling points we need to champion.”
And there is at least some new life coming back into Provenance. Tony says a new restaurant is set to open in the former Ember Pizza space in the coming weeks, and he hopes other hospitality businesses will eventually move into the vacant Penfolds and Ale Haus sites.
“That’s the perfect scenario.”
For now, Beats, Wines and Life is continuing to find its place in the Barossa, one bottle, vinyl record, tasting and conversation at a time.
And for anyone who hasn’t visited yet, Tony hopes the changing precinct won’t be a reason to stay away, but a reason to seek out the businesses that are still there.
After all, the original idea remains the same, come for the wine, stay for the music and discover something you didn’t know you were looking for.
Beats, Wines and Life
Where: 18/28 Tanunda Rd, Nuriootpa SA 5355
When: Wednesday and Thursday, 1pm to 7pm, Friday and Saturday, 11am to 7pm, Sunday, 11am to 5pm
For more information, click here.
