There are two stages to the judging. The hard work of the first round of judging will be shared by an experienced panel of wine and food writers, representing each Australian state, led by Chairman of Judges, Peter Forrestal. Most of these are long-term members of the panel.
This group will be joined for the judging of Australia's Wine List of the Year Award by a panel from Australia and overseas. Alongside former Chairman of Judges, Huon Hooke, and local Masters of Wine, will be judges from England, France, USA and New Zealand, and Randolph Cheung, the sommelier from 2004 winner, Melbourne's Asiana.
Read a more detailed explanation of judging criteria.
Prior to announcing the winners, finalists will be externally audited to ensure wines and vintages are accurate and available.
Each establishment across Australia will be judged by at least two members of the judging panel and given a rating. The best will receive either three glasses (Very Highly Recommended), two glasses (Highly Recommended), or one glass (Recommended).
Category and state and territory winners will be those establishments scoring highest points in each state (regardless of the category in which they enter).
Each of the seven categories will have a national winner. This will be awarded to the establishment scoring the highest points.
There will be a final round of judging for the five highest pointed wine lists to decide the 2008 Australian Wine List of the Year. The first round judges will be joined by a group of local and international judges to add an extra layer of impartiality to the final judging.
Establishments can only win the Australia's Wine List of the Year Award once, but are still eligible to win their State or Category Awards and Supplementary Awards and will be listed in the Hall of Fame.
Category and state and territory winners who have won on three occasions enter the Hall of Fame and become ineligible to win their State or Category Awards again however, can still win the Australia’s Wine List of the Year or one of the Supplementary Awards.
All previous Award winners must submit their lists each year to maintain their ratings and listings in the Awards Guide.
The winner of the Australia's Wine List of the Year Award will receive:
The 2008 Wine List of the Year award winners have been announced. Click here to download the full list of winners. 
