Family-owned. Italian heritage. Proudly local since 1977.
Amato's Liquor Mart has been a cornerstone of Norton Street, Leichhardt for nearly half a century. In 1977, Illuminato "Joe" Prestipino - after making the courageous journey from the island of Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands to Australia - opened a small family business in the heart of Sydney's Little Italy with the love of his life, Connie. Their dream was simple: to create a place where Italians could find a taste of home.
With their four children - Julie, Grace, Frank, and Daniella - by their side, Joe and Connie built Amato's into one of the inner west's most trusted destinations for wine, spirits, beer, and authentic Italian food. Now in our third generation of family ownership, that continuity shows in the relationships we've built - with our customers, our suppliers, and the Leichhardt community. Many of our regulars have been shopping with us for decades. Some started as uni students and now bring their own families.
We're not a chain, and we never will be. We hand-select our range, with a particular strength in Italian wines that you simply won't find at the big retailers. From everyday Montepulciano to aged Barolo, from Sicilian Nero d'Avola to Piedmontese Nebbiolo - our Italian collection is one of the deepest in Sydney.
But it's not just Italian. We carry an extensive Australian and New Zealand selection, French classics from Burgundy to Bordeaux, and a growing range of craft spirits from Australia and around the world. Our deli stocks imported Italian specialties - panettone, cheese, smallgoods, olive oil, biscotti - many sourced directly from producers we've known for years.
We host regular events - wine dinners, tastings, and meet-the-maker evenings - through our Tour of Little Italy series. These curated nights bring together local restaurants, Italian producers, and our community for evenings that celebrate the food and wine culture that Leichhardt is known for.
In 2027, we celebrate our 50th year. We've got something special planned - exclusive events, limited releases, and a few surprises we're keeping quiet for now. It's going to be a year to remember.
Whether you're around the corner in Leichhardt or across the country, we deliver to most parts of Australia. Some states and territories have laws that restrict or limit interstate alcohol deliveries - please get in touch and we'll let you know if we can deliver to your area. Our online store is currently being rebuilt, but you can still place an order by emailing amatos@amatos.com.au or calling us on (02) 9560 7628. We'll look after you.
1936 – 2026
In 1977, after making the courageous journey from the small island of Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands to Australia, Joe had a simple dream: to create a place where Italians could find a taste of home. Together with the love of his life, Connie, he opened the doors of a small family business in Leichhardt - Amato’s Liquor Mart.
His legacy is not simply a business. It is kindness before profit. Honesty without compromise. Hard work without complaint. A deep love for family. And the importance of always having faith.
Today, as we proudly continue into our third generation of family ownership, we do so knowing that every shelf, every conversation, every customer, and every act of kindness is built upon the foundation he laid.
Ci vediamo in Paradiso, Nonno.