Australia's most prestigious awards program for wine and beverage lists, established 1994.
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. At the same time the Awards pay tribute to the dedication and talent of those who create these lists for Australia’s best restaurants, hotels, clubs, wine bars, pubs and cafes – large and small.
Still the most prestigious national awards in their field, they 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.
Leading magazine Gourmet Traveller WINE, has been the official Consumer Media Partner since 2008 alongside the Drinks Association, who joined as official Trade Communications Partner in 2016.
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:
A mouth-watering and complete wine list with something for everyone, from the expert to the enthusiast. From a diverse and enticing wine by the glass list through to extensive vintage offerings of some of the absolute classic wines from both Australia and overseas. Virtually every country and wine style is represented so if you are curious to try something different, here is your opportunity.
Long term AWLOTYA official Consumer Media Partner, Gourmet Traveller WINE has continued to be Australia’s leading and most authoritative wine magazine for 20 years, and is read by over 99,000 people who enjoy celebrating both the local and international wine scenes. The magazine’s team of contributors is second to none with many participating in the judging of the Awards. This year, Gourmet Traveller WINE will again promote the Awards in the magazine as well as on all of its digital platforms
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.