Room to breathe at the Bend

Escaping the city may have become a priority for many in Melbourne, but sacrificing the joys of city living is not.

Less than 10 kms from Melbourne Mills Townhouse at YarraBend, deftly balances the best of both worlds. It has a location with easy access to nature trails and community gardens, but also offers all the modern convenience of city living.

Located just 6.5 km from Melbourne, it’s close to Heidelberg Road shopping precinct for essential groceries, plus generous fitness options. Want to improve your tennis game? You can practice at Tennis Lessons Melbourne. What about a quick nine holes of golf of Friday morning? There’s a great course at Yarrabend.

While going out is easy, there’s still plenty of room to cocoon at home.

Designed by Conrad Architects the interiors are crisp and timeless. Natural, high-quality finishes make this home a blank canvas to stamp your style on.

An urban floor plan is split over three levels. The ground floor allows access to the home via a rear, secure double garage and up above there are three bedrooms and three bathrooms to play with. Thanks to a clever floor plan, there’s plenty of space to unwind and cocoon.

One of the best features is the sense of privacy on each level.

A cinch for weekend entertaining, the sleek island kitchen is a highlight. Here you’ll find dual Miele ovens, stone marble benchtops and splashbacks, as well as a double sink and lots of storage. Wide engineered floorboards in living areas keep the interior clean and fresh, while soft, plush carpet in the bedrooms, make it cosy in the more intimate spaces. A separate laundry room, study nook, and ensuites in two of the bedrooms – including a master with bathtub and walk in robe – give it the feel of a full-sized house without the high maintenance.

The location is also, close to an emerging dining precinct called The Bend which has already attracted hot chef talent like Adam Da Sylva from Tonka, on Flinders Lane.

Need to drop children to school? The hood is blessed with a quick drop off for the kids at Alphington Primary school or, Alphington Grammar.

As part of the YarraBend area, residents can also look forward to easy access to future amenities, including casual laneway eateries and a wellness centre with yoga and massage room, private pools, and on site co-working spaces.

Attractive to remote and hybrid workers Alphington is on the doorstep of a burgeoning hub, where purchasers will enjoy green spaces to breathe in and plenty of distraction around The Bend.

Uncover a new lifestyle mix here.

The listed price is $1.525m, but email property@kanebridge.com.au for developer discounts.

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

Room to breathe at the Bend

Timeless design and modern amenity define this spacious townhouse in Alphington, Victoria.

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.