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Jonah's has Australia's Best Wine List for 2017

14 Aug 2017

Persistence paid off for the sommeliers at Jonah’s with their win in the 2017 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards.

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Jonah’s Restaurant , Whale Beach NSW and their sommeliers, Niels Sluiman and Christian Baeppler, are the winners of Australia’s Wine List of the Year 2017.

Wine List of the Year Winner 2017 - Jonah's

Embargoed until Monday 31 July, 2017, 6pm

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Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards in partnership with Gourmet Traveller WINE and the Australian Liquor Industry’s the drinks Association today announced Jonah’s, Whale Beach, NSW as winner of the prestigious Australia’s Wine List of the Year for 2017.

“Persistence has certainly paid off for the sommeliers at Jonah’s with their win in the 2017 Australia’s Wine List of the Year. Over the past few years, Jonah’s has refined a massive cellar into an approachable list which offers a diverse range of Australia’s best with classy wines from all corners of the globe. Their focus at home and abroad is on offering depth from classic wine regions while not neglecting emerging regions and cutting edge producers. Jonah’s offers an amazing array of wines by the glass, rieslings to satisfy the fussiest palate, verticals to amaze… And there’s those spectacular views of Whale Beach for the quiet moments.” commented Chairman of Judges, Peter Forrestal.

As the Sommeliers Responsible for the Winning List, Niels Sluiman and Christian Baeppler also receive the Judy Hirst Award, presented in memory of the inspirational woman who helped found and establish these awards.

“Australia’s Wine List of the Year continues to play its part in transforming the dining scene in this country. The use of Coravin plus added support from wineries has dramatically increased the possibilities of wines by the glass, so that this award is one of the most hotly contested in the annual awards. The interest of consumers in regionality has prompted awards acknowledging the Best Listing of the wines of each state. This interest can also be seen in the emergence of a greater number of smaller (often regionally-based) lists of impressive quality. The Awards continue to focus attention on the best lists around a country that has a vibrant wine scene.” added Peter Forrestal.

Tucker Seabrook established Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards in 1994 to recognise and reward the enormous investment by owners in time, skill and resources that go into developing the best quality wine lists and to also recognise and reward the dedicated and talented sommeliers creating those lists for Australia’s restaurants, hotels, clubs, wine bars, pubs, cafes and brasseries – large and small. To maintain the absolute integrity and independence of the Awards – plus add a global perspective, an outstanding panel of local and international expert judges has been assembled over the years.

Headed by Chairman, leading wine writer and commentator Peter Forrestal, and Deputy Chairs – Jeni Port and Toni Paterson MW, the long-term panel of over thirty (30) includes internationally respected Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine such as Brian Julyan MS, founder of The Court of Master Sommeliers and CEO Europe, past World’s Best Sommelier – Gerard Basset OBE, MS, MW, MBA, Bob Campbell MW and Cameron Douglas MS, James Lawther MW, Andrew Caillard MW, plus leading wine writers and commentators Mike Bennie, Peter Bourne, Jane Faulkner, Ray Jordan, Tony Love, Louise Radman and Nick Stock to name but a few. The depth of local and industry knowledge is complemented by the inclusion as judges of the President of Sommeliers Australia – David Lawler, and the previous year’s winner of the Wine List of the Year and the Judy Hirst Award – Grant Dickson.

The sophistication of the Australian wining and dining scene continues to grow and is reflected in this year’s results with again a record number of clubs, pubs, hotels and wine bars achieving the highest levels – either a two or three glass rating. The growth in participation over recent years of the nation’s Hotels, Pubs and Wine Bars is also good to see.

Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards founder Rob Hirst, thanked sincerely Award Partners – Gourmet Traveller WINE and the drinks Association and all Sponsors for their on-going support of the Awards and congratulated all entrants on the quality of this year’s lists – commenting that “The most popular award category this year remains Best Wine By the Glass – the perfect vehicle for introducing premium wines to the consumer, followed again by Best Matching of Food and Wine – reflecting again the ever closer liaison now occurring between sommeliers and chefs. These categories were closely followed in popularity this year by Best Listing of a Regions Wines and Best Listing of Australian Wines – again pointers to the increased awareness and appreciation of the regionality of all wine – with both the trade and the consumer, and the special nature of what Australian wine now has to offer.”

“It’s always a joy to visit a bar or restaurant that gets wine service right. A place where all the vintages on a well-thought out list are served in quality stemware, and at the correct temperature,” said Judy Sarris, Editor of Gourmet Traveller WINE. “To encourage and celebrate excellence we relish the opportunity to acknowledge this country’s finest sommeliers through our partnership with Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. Bravo to all who won top gongs and are showcased in the latest issue of Gourmet Traveller WINE – as well the many who achieved glass ratings and are there for the world to see on our digital platforms.”

“drinks trade magazine is proud to be the Trade Communications Partner for AWLOTYA,” said Sandra Przibilla, CEO of the drinks association, publisher of drinks trade. “It has been rewarding to see AWLOTYA evolve and grow over the past 23 years. These prestigious awards not only pay tribute to the achievements of the drinks trade, but encourage them to continue developing their skills. We believe the more educated and informed the trade is, the better quality service and experience they can provide to their customers. Congratulations to all the winning venues, we look forward to celebrating and promoting your achievements in our digital and print publications.”

Winners will be listed at winelistoftheyear.com.au and at gourmettravellerwine.com on July 31st and via Aug/Sept 2017 Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine – on sale August 2nd. Full results and entrant reviews will be available via the Gourmet Traveller WINE digital edition at gourmettravellerwine.com and at winelistoftheyear.com.au

FOR INTERVIEWS AND FURTHER INFORMATION, PLUS PICTURES PLEASE CONTACT

Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards – 2016

In partnership with Gourmet Traveller WINE and the drinks association
  • NATIONAL WINNER OF THE 2017 AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR:Jonah’s, Whale Beach, NSW

Award Winners

  • WINE LIST OF THE YEAR: Jonah’s, NSW
  • JUDY HIRST AWARD: Niels Sluiman & Christian Baeppler

State/Territory Winners

  • BEST WINE LIST ACT: Pialligo Estate
  • BEST WINE LIST NSW: Jonah’s
  • BEST WINE LIST NT: Stone House
  • BEST WINE LIST QLD: Blackbird
  • BEST WINE LIST SA: Barn Steakhouse
  • BEST WINE LIST TAS: Stillwater
  • BEST WINE LIST VIC: The Botanical
  • BEST WINE LIST WA: Il Lido

National Class of Trade or Category

  • BEST CITY RESTAURANT WINE LIST: Aria, Brisbane
  • BEST COUNTRY RESTAURANT WINE LIST: Appellation, SA
  • BEST HOTEL RESTAURANT WINE LIST: Jonah’s, NSW
  • BEST PUB RESTAURANT WINE LIST: Upstairs, The Lord Nelson, NSW
  • BEST CLUB RESTAURANT WINE LIST: The Queen’s Club, NSW
  • BEST WINE BAR LIST: Love, Tilly Devine, NSW
  • BEST NEW LIST – THE TONY HITCHIN AWARD: Stokehouse, St Kilda, VIC
  • BEST SMALL LIST (MAX 50 WINES): Harvest, NSW
  • BEST SMALL LIST (MAX 100 WINES): Chiswick, Woollahra, NSW
  • BEST FOOD & WINE MATCHING LIST: Aubergine, ACT
  • BEST LIST OF WINE BY THE GLASS: Cru Bar + Cellar, QLD
  • BEST BEER LIST: Charred Kitchen & Bar, NSW
  • BEST NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS LIST: Momofuku Seiobo, NSW
  • BEST SPARKLING WINE LIST: Aria, Sydney, NSW
  • BEST CHAMPAGNE LIST: est., NSW
  • BEST APERITIF LIST: Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW
  • BEST DIGESTIF LIST: Bentley Restaurant + Bar, NSW
  • BEST LISTING OF A REGION’S WINE: Healesville Hotel, VIC
  • BEST LISTING OF AUSTRALIAN WINES: Café Sydney, NSW
  • BEST LISTING OF ACT WINES: Aubergine, ACT
  • BEST LISTING OF NSW WINES: Biota Dining, NSW
  • BEST LISTING OF QLD WINES: Aria, Brisbane, QLD
  • BEST LISTING OF SA WINES: Hardy’s Verandah, SA
  • BEST LISTING OF TAS WINES: The Source, TAS
  • BEST LISTING OF VIC WINES: Lake House, VIC
  • BEST LISTING OF WA WINES: Settlers Tavern, WA
  • GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE READERS’ CHOICE: Annata, NSW

Hall of Fame

2017 Hall of Fame – Previous National Winners
  • fermentAsian, Tanunda, SA (2016)
  • Bentley Restaurant + Bar, Sydney, NSW (2015)
  • Lake House, Daylesford, VIC (2014)
  • Rockpool Bar & Grill, Perth, WA (2014)
  • Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, VIC (2012)
  • Pilu at Freshwater, NSW (2011)
  • Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne, VIC (2010)
  • Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney, NSW (2009)
  • Aria, Sydney, NSW (2003)
  • Syracuse, Melbourne, VIC (1999)
2017 Hall of Fame – Previous National Individual Winner
  • Franck Moreau MS (2014)
2017 Hall of Fame – Previous Three Time Winners – State/Territories
  • Apothecary 1878 (Best SA) 2004, 2011, 2012
  • Appellation (Best SA) 2008, 2009, 2010
  • Aria, Brisbane (Best QLD) 2011, 2013, 2014
  • Aubergine (Best ACT) 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Char (Best NT) 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Cru Bar & Cellar (Best Qld) 2004, 2009, 2015
  • fermentAsian (Best SA) 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Friends (Best WA) 1999, 2002, 2003
  • Me Wah (Best TAS) 2010, 2011, 2012
  • Rockpool Bar & Grill (Best WA) 2011, 2012, 2014
  • Rubicon (Best ACT) 2011, 2012, 2016
  • The Source at MONA (Best TAS) 2013, 2014, 2015
2017 Hall of Fame – Previous Three Time Winners – National Class of Trade or Category
  • Aria, Sydney (Gourmet Traveller WINE – Readers’ Choice Award) 2011, 2012, 2013
  • The Botanical (Best Pub Restaurant List) 2012, 2013, 2014
  • The European (Best Café List) 2010, 2011, 2012
  • fermentAsian (Best Country Restaurant List) 2014, 2015, 2016
  • Glass Brasserie (Best International Hotel List) 2008, 2009, 2010
  • Healesville Hotel (Best Pub Restaurant List) 2003, 2004, 2008
  • Healesville Hotel (Best Beer List) 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Lake House (Best Country Restaurant List) 2008, 2010, 2013
  • Melbourne Supper Club (Best Wine Bar List) 2004, 2011, 2012
  • Merricote (Best Small List: 50) 2014, 2015, 2016
  • RACV City Club (Best Club Restaurant List) 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Royal Mail Hotel (Best Country Restaurant List) 2009, 2011, 2012
  • Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (Best Club Restaurant List) 2003, 2004, 2008
  • Settlers Tavern (Best Pub Restaurant List) 2009, 2010, 2011
  • Spice Temple, Melbourne (Best Small List: 100) 2013, 2015, 2016

 

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