About Us

Michael David is the owner of Elizabeth Bay Cellars. He has been in the liquor industry for over 40 years, with the purchase of his first liquor store on 14th February 1966 in Burton Street, Darlinghurst.

By 1969 he had relocated to 76 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst and registered the name Liquorland which was given to these premises. This was the first Liquorland of what was to become the Liquorland Marketing Group consisting of approximately 36 stores before selling out to Coles in 1981.

In these early days, the idea of "cut price liquor" was unheard of and Michael provided customers with deals such as the "bakers dozen", in store discount bins, two for ones and expanded his stores to cover areas from Rushcutters Bay to Penrith to as far away as Gladestone in Far North Queensland.

Elizabeth Bay Cellars was his only store to which he did not attach the Liquorland banner and which he retained after selling out to Coles. The store originally opened in a section of the corner deli and only had a wine license before moving to its present position of what was the exclusive Primos Restaurant site in 1986 where extensive renovations were carried out to become the exquisite up market store it is today.

Michael has been an integral part of the liquor industry in Australia, where he has been at the forefront of varying trends within the industry. After selling out to Coles, he chose to move away from the cut price trend that the liquor chains were moving into and concentrate instead on the more up market, boutique liquor that has now become the trend.

Michael has received awards for wine expertise from Spain and many regions of France including Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, Arbois and Saint Emilion to name a few. Over the years, Michael has made extensive contacts within the liquor industry all over the world.

His philosophy within the industry has always been based on the belief that service and information is the key. He ensures that his staff attends regular courses, tastings and conferences so that they can give you, the customer, the best service and the most up to date information.

Michael is always personally available to his customers to share his vast knowledge of the industry and particular wines available, he has the connections within the industry that allow him and his staff to find that special drop that no one else can get.

Elizabeth Bay Cellars holds regular tastings of new and interesting wines from the big wineries to the smaller boutique vineyards from Australia and overseas and has installed a purpose built, temperature controlled fine wine room for that very special bottle.