A wine shop owner in Melbourne's inner-north is shocked and upset after a customer spat in his face when he invited her to take part in his Melbourne Cup sweep.

Tim Cohen opened the Brunswick East Wine Store on Lygon Street five years ago and has run an annual Cup sweepstake for his customers ever since.

Tim Cohen has run the Brunswick East Wine Shop for five years. Credit:Tim Cohen

About 6pm on Monday, on Cup eve, a young woman came in to buy a six pack of beer.

"As she paid for her beer, I offered: Would you like to buy a ticket for our annual sweepstake?" Mr Cohen said.