Australia’s most prestigious awards program for wine and beverage lists,
established in 1994 by Tucker Seabrook and Rob and the late Judy Hirst
Congratulations to all the finalists & winners
of the 2020 Wine List of the Year Awards.
Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards were established in 1994 by Tucker Seabrook, Sydney’s first Wine and Spirit Merchant (established 1838).
The aim of the Awards is to recognise and reward the enormous investment by restaurant owners, managers and sommeliers in the time, skill and resources that go into developing the best quality wine lists and cellars. At the same time the Awards pay tribute to the dedication and talent of those individuals who create these lists for Australia’s best restaurants, hotels, clubs, wine bars, pubs and cafes – large and small.
Still the most prestigious such national awards in their field, the awards have played a major part in lifting the standard of Australia’s wine lists over the past three decades. Chairman of Judges for the first 11 years (1994 – 2004) Huon Hooke, commented on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Awards. ‘Standards have improved out of sight since 1994 and each year the bar keeps rising.’
Importantly, the awards have also had an impact on the public’s interest in fine wine generally and have improved their appreciation of those establishments which have participated in the Awards over the years and been celebrated.
Since 2016, Drinks Association have been the official Awards Trade Communications Partner, and from 2008-2020 Gourmet Traveller WINE, were the Awards Consumer Media Partner.
Peter Forrestal, currently enjoying his thirteenth year as Chairman of Judges and a member of the judging panel since 1994, endorses Huon’s comments and salutes the rise to prominence of Australia’s sommeliers over the past 20 years. ‘Not only does Australia now boast an abundance of sommeliers but those we have are as well educated and as experienced as those of any country in the world. They have been fortunate to have a vigorous and enthusiastic industry body in Sommeliers Australia and strong support from international organisations such as the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.’
The awards:
An excellent compilation with the focus on paths less trodden. That does not mean that quality producers like Clonakilla, Yalumba, Mt Mary, Henri Bonneau and many others are not littered throughout, but there are many more obscure producers which have also earnt their positions here. Excellent by the glass, aperitifs, digestifs and more. A list which will thrill the adventurous wine explorer – Sparkling Sake, anyone?
01 Mar 2021
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney were the worthy recipients of two awards at the 2020 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards; Best Digestif List – this award goes to the establishment with the most interesting and relevant Digestif offering served after the meal to aid digestion. The possibilities are wide-ranging and include brandy, eaux de vie, […]
23 Feb 2021
Cru Bar + Cellar were the worthy recipients of two awards at the 2020 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards; Best List Of Wines By The Glass – sponsored by Coravin, this award goes to the establishment with the most imaginative and thoughtful collection of wines by the glass. A list that offers depth and […]
09 Feb 2021
A regular on the rollcall of the World’s Best 50 Restaurants, Attica celebrates boundary-pushing cuisine. Likewise, its wine list is daring and challenging while keeping the closest eye on quality. Attica sommeliers Dom Robinson and Jane Lopes are the sommeliers responsible for the winning List. Ms Lopes returned to the US due to the COVID-19 lockdown […]
The drinks association is the AWLOTYA’s official Trade Communications Partner. It’s Australia’s leading membership body providing services and information to the drinks industry, with a well-respected portfolio of trade publications targeting an extensive cross-section of the on-premise drinks community – in excess of 13,000 restaurants, clubs, pubs, hotels, resorts, bars and wine bars.