The top wine lists in each State / Territory are Monopole (NSW), Gimlet at Cavendish House (VIC), Molto Hobart (TAS), Capitol Bar & Grill (ACT), The Salopian Inn (SA), Gibney (WA) and Agnes (QLD).
Capitol Bar & grill celebrates the wines of Canberra with a sparkling collection of winemakers, styles and years on display. And while the regional strengths of riesling and shiraz are lauded, there are emerging stars, too. Its list takes out both Best Listing of ACT Wines and the Best Wine List ACT. Tap into the regions through the extensive wines by the glass listing, try the Women of Canberra Wine Flight and study the section - and map -under the Canberra feature page. This is also a list devoted to wines well suited to the menu heavily stocked with steaks straight from the grill. Here, is where the wines of Australia, Europe and, in particular, Italy, really shine. The "Ripped Red" section with shiraz and cabernet from Coonawarra, Clare, Maragret River and the Barossa offer great matches as do the "Textural" reds from Spain and Italy. The cellar list is also a must see.
1981 Chateau Montrose or 1997 Trimbach Frederic Emile by the glass has to appeal to wine lovers. A superb list with numerous mini-verticals from which diners can cherry pick, there are endless great names from the wine world from everywhere. Comprehensive in every respect. No wonder it is Australia's top wine bar.
Sommelier: Franck Maitre, Seamus Brandt, Luke Willis
Number of Wines: 750
Wines by the Glass: 45
Wine Price by the Glass: $$$
Oh Agnes, how you turn on the charm with every page. You tease from the start by offering one of the country’s most diverse and enticing by the glass selections: any diner would be thrilled with a glass of Charles Heidsieck blanc de blancs followed by A. Rodda Smith’s Vineyard chardonnay then a COS Frappato. But look at the range of François Cotat Sancerre, the Dauvissat Chablis, Sandrone Barolo or Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino you feature. It’s clear a lot of love and thought are behind the choices here. And we diners thank you.
The Salopian Inn offers elegant, modern Australian dining with a focus on local, environmentally sensitive and ethical ingredients. The restaurant uses solar power and everything that can be, is composted. An extraordinary kitchen garden (complete with indigenous plants, fruit trees, chickens and bees) provides fresh produce, with supplementation by local suppliers. The cellar is substantial, amassing choices sourced from emerging to iconic producers. A fantastic by-the-glass list invites discovery, with quirky varieties and regions from Australia and abroad, with captivating wines to suit every budget. The Salopian Inn takes out three major awards this year: Best Listing of a Region's Wines, Best Wine List South Australia and Best Country Restaurant Wine List.
Molto keeps going from strength to strength, significantly increasing both its number of wines and wine by the glass this year which raises an already fine wine list to new heights. The emphasis remains on wines sourced from the "hood," from across Tasmania with a strong supporting cast from mainland Australia and the rest of the world. It has well-earned both Best Listing of Tasmanian Wines and Best Wine List Tasmania. You are never too sure what you might come across here - the excitement and discovery factor is high. It might be a boutique Tassie maker rarely seen outside the island, a classic Alsatian producer of note, Burgundies to stop you in your tracks, a champion of oxidative/sous voile wines, a stunning New Zealand pinot noir, a well-aged Barolo or emerging stars from Sardinia and Puglia.
Serious champagnes kick off this list with a fine selection of wines by the glass, from around the globe, supporting it. The list looks to top varieties and regions and focuses on the wines from the top producers. The approach is continued with offshore offerings. So, for example, Burgundy gives us the wines of DRC, Denis Mortet and Rousseau. Operations like Yarra Yering, Clonakilla and Swinney are also featured. An extensive and impressive list, including a curated Western Australian set. A brilliant supporting cast of spirits as well. It may be a new list, though its complexity and breadth suggest it has been years in the making.
Driven by a mantra of 'discovery, familiarity, value and experience', the Gimlet list artfully blends the great and the good with a dose of variety and complexity. The intentions here are pretty clear when Selosse & Rousseau get their own feature pages - and what a huge treat to try such great wines by the glass. Indeed, the selection by the glass here is exceptional, with a nice blend of essential drinks vs indulgences. Very clever! There's a subtle playfulness here too - just like the 'neither red nor white wine' section, just to remind that not everything has to be serious. It's a list with high appeal for all wine lovers, outstanding in its breadth, depth, balance and originality.
The Hall of Fame is a prestigious list of establishments who have achieved leading status either by winning the Main Award or the same State/Territory or Category award three times. Each year, new successful establishments are added to Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards Hall of Fame. To maintain a current listing however, they must enter and maintain their glass rating each year, which is no easy feat!
Glass Ratings 2024
The key objective of the awards is to recognise and reward exceptional sommeliers, their wine lists an the owners who have invested in them. Each entering venue is awarded 3, 2, or 1 glasses based on their wine list submission. Judges submit their scores based on the guiding principles of appraisal. AWLOTYA allocates glasses with the utmost integrity, albeit in acknowledgement that all reviews are subjective.
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A well-curated wine list is exciting to explore and guaranteed to enhance your dining experience. Discover Australia's best wine lists developed by talented sommeliers from restaurants, wine bars, cafes, brasseries, pubs, clubs and hotels by suburb or postcode.
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Qantas magazine and Travel Insider, an official partner of the AWLOTY Awards, is the leading destination for travel content in Australia. It is not only a celebration of travel and all that it offers but also an insider’s guide to the best experiences in Australia and overseas. The partnership with AWLOTY is an opportunity to recognise Australia’s best wine lists and share the restaurants that are excelling with a very premium audience.
