Stuart Knox: From Sommelier to Sydney's Iconic Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant Owner

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant in Sydney! We’re sitting down with the man behind one of Australia’s most iconic wine destinations — Stuart Knox, owner, sommelier, and The Real Review wine critic. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of Australian wine, the evolution of Sydney’s wine bar culture, and Stuart’s incredible 20-year journey building Fix into a place “where everyone knows your name.”We talk about what makes Australian Chardonnay world-class, how the wine scene has shifted over the years, and Stuart’s approach to creating a wine list that celebrates both local producers and unique international bottles. You’ll hear his best tips for food and wine pairing, how to read a wine list without fear, and his philosophy on keeping wine approachable — without the pretentiousness.If you love wine, hospitality, and good stories, this chat will give you a whole new appreciation for the craft and community behind the glass.Subscribe to @‌thewinedup and comment on your favourite memory or wine from Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant👇Check out Fix Wine Bar and Restaurant at https://fixwine.com.au/Follow Us on Instagram (The.Wined.Up) or TikTok (@thewinedup ).Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au/ or email us at [email protected]:00:00 Preview00:41 Introduction02:31 The Wined Up Icebreaker questions10:13 The Story Behind the Red Shoes11:28 Inside Fix Wine Bar12:25 Tasting: Rivulet Chardonnay 202412:41 Why Australian Chardonnay Is Elite14:31 Expansion of Tasmanian Wine15:21 Current Aussie Consumer Trends15:22 How Stuart Got Into Wine24:49 From London to Level 41 to Fix27:12 The Dine & Drink Licence Shift33:17 The "Cheers" Philosophy33:58 State of the Sydney Wine Bar Scene41:44 Tasting: Vino Volta Grenache43:00 Food Pairing Challenge46:30 Do Sydney Bars Support NSW Wine Enough?51:30 Why Fix Doesn’t Focus on “Big Names”53:16 Wine List Anxiety Explained55:58 Why You Should Always Reveal Your Budget57:00 The Reality of Money & Wine58:56 Inside The Real Review01:04:35 How to Learn About Wine01:07:22 Final Reflections & Thank You#StuartKnox #FixWineBar #Sydneywine #AustralianChardonnay #Australianwinescene #sommelierinterview #wineindustryAustralia #Sydneyrestaurants #winetasting #wineeducation #foodandwinepairing #winebarculture #TheRealReview #Australianwinemakers #ChardonnayAustralia #PinotNoirAustralia #wineinSydney #winecriticsAustralia #Australianwinestories #SydneyhospitalityResilience Podcast SeriesWe explore key challenges affecting civil society in Central and Eastern Europe.Listen on:   SpotifyFollow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at [email protected].   Drink More, Try More, Learn More.