Best Wine Lists State or Territory 2026

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Sommelier: Kate Hibberson, Louis Sheffield
• Number of Wines: 248
• Wines by the Glass: 25
• Wine Price by the Glass: $

The Boat House wine list is a celebration of the wines from the Canberra District and nearby regions. Mini-verticals add depth to the offering. That said, Kate Hibberson's list is not parochial, rather a thoughtful selection of benchmarks and newcomers from around Australia and across the vinous globe. Alternative grapes and wine styles (Stargazer Tupelo and Marli Russell RP 2) share equal billing with stalwarts and icons such as good value 2010 Château Rauzan Segla and Grosset Polish Hill. The by-the-glass list is solid, with again the Canberra District highlighted. Cocktails and spirits are well covered, with non-alcoholic drinks given due regard. All in all, a short, sharp list that's loaded with liquid enticements.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Sommelier: Eduardo Fritis-Lamora, Ben Watson
• Number of Wines: 848
• Wines by the Glass: 56
• Wine Price by the Glass: $$$

Old World class fuses with contemporary elegance at Shell House Dining Room & Terrace in the heart of Sydney. Begin with one of the captivating house cocktails or a selection of more than 50 wines by the glass. The wines of featured producers, as well as those by the glass, are available by carafe too, providing an additional opportunity to explore and share delights beyond the usual. You are going to want to take your time to peruse the list of 800+ bottles as the carefully curated selection is exceptional. International superstars and cult favourites are featured alongside quality local labels, with joy to be found for every budget.

• Cuisine: Italian
• Sommelier: Amanda Yallop
• Number of Wines: 400
• Wines by the Glass: 35
• Wine Price by the Glass: $$-$$$

There is much to love at OTTO Brisbane, not least its relaxed yet chic riverside location. For those settling in for lunch or dinner, the wine list is a highlight, with a carefully chosen selection of some of the finest wines available. The focus is, as expected, Italian, particularly the wines of Piedmont, Tuscany and Sicily, alongside cult producers from Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Beyond Italy, the list extends to prestige Champagne, high-end Burgundy and an impressive array of notable Australian producers. Helpfully organised by variety, it is equally easy to find a local favourite or venture into less familiar territory. Particularly commendable is the venue's broad appeal. Whether it is the daily Pasta Club ($45 for pasta, wine and cannoli), the Mangia! Shared Menu ($89), the Degustation ($145) or ‘Aperitivo Time’, there are attractive options on hand. The same philosophy extends to the wine list, where bottles around $100 sit comfortably alongside some of the finest Barolos and Grand Cru Burgundies money can buy, making it a treasured venue for all occasions and budgets.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Sommelier: Daniel McEvoy
• Number of Wines: 658
• Wines by the Glass: 33
• Wine Price by the Glass: $-$$

2KW's proudly South Australian-leaning list is punctuated by all sorts of surprises, like verticals of Bridge Road's legendary Imperial IPA, or a full complement of Deviation Road sparkling wines and an impressive global gin selection. There's a clever mix of established favourites vs contemporary names here too, whether it's Champagne or South Australian shiraz. The European selection is refined and well chosen, and the fun quips about different grapes and styles are a reason to read the list alone. Certainly don't skip over Martin Palmer's local heroes selection of iconic producers and local champions.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Sommelier: Ethan Han
• Number of Wines: 236
• Wines by the Glass: 12
• Wine Price by the Glass: $-$$

You might think a restaurant list dominated by local wines would be somehow parochial or lacking, but this gem proves how wonderfully diverse Tasmania is when it comes to vinous matters. It highlights the finest producers and key styles or varieties that make the Apple Isle so good, especially sparkling, riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir. Dotted throughout are top names such as Arras, Bellebonne, Stefano, and Marco, Lubiana, Pooley, Haddow + Dineen and more besides. Of course, the strength here is balancing Tassie wines with those excelling elsewhere as in grenache from Yangarra or cabernet from Yarra Valley or nebbiolo from Piedmont. It’s a thoughtful and compelling compilation keeping locals and visitors so content.

• Cuisine: Australian
• Sommelier: Loïc Avril, Yuki Hirose MS, Lee Sangyeop
• Number of Wines: 1650
• Wines by the Glass: 88
• Wine Price by the Glass: $$$

This ranks among Australia’s and the world’s great wine lists, exceptional in its vintage depth and curation and broad in both local and international scope. At heart, it’s a celebration of quality in all its forms. There are close to 90 wines by the glass, ranging from well-priced Australian favourites like MMAD Vineyard chenin through premium local chardonnay from By Farr and Tolpuddle to icon reds including Mount Mary pinot, The Armagh and Grange poured from magnums. Rarities from further afield, including the likes of Benjamin Leroux 1er Cru Meursault or Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses, are available as a taste, half-pour or glass. For those wanting a quick start, The Shortlist offers a hand-picked selection of well-priced small players plus recognisable labels which punch well above their weight. Beyond, in the main list, is a formidable collection of Dom Pérignon, grower Champagne and top Australian chardonnay, with due focus on the wines of Victoria, followed by the dazzling white Burgundy pages. From there, the list sails through impressive local pinot noir, shiraz, cabernet and friends, plus a curated New Zealand set, before drifting into a vinous fantasy land, including legendary holdings of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Domaine Leroy, followed by Left- and Right-Bank Bordeaux and a crescendo of Château d’Yquem stretching back to 1914. Oh, one can dream. Then it is back to reality, though only just, with quality Beaujolais, Rhône, Loire and beyond, and worthy detours through Italy and Spain and an unusually deep selection from the USA. A fabulous spirits collection, including an extensive range of single malts, ensures the evening can close in suitable style.

• Cuisine: Modern Australian
• Sommelier: Nina Throsby Throsby, Alexander King, Nicole Wewiorski
• Number of Wines: 1040
• Wines by the Glass: 59
• Wine Price by the Glass: $$$

Take a suggestion for your first drink, as you might need to settle in with this tome of beverages. From the cocktails and spirits to the 1000-plus wine offering, this list is a journey. Feature pages guide you throughout, expanding your knowledge whilst you sip, with well-known producers and new discoveries ready to be explored. The highlights, of which there are many, include a celebration of Western Australian labels, multiple vintages of most wines, a carefully chosen selection of producers, a compendium of half-bottles, an anthology of dessert and fortified wine, and an exquisite Champagne library complete with a helpful index. The main list features a mix of classic labels and ‘contemporaries’, with the criteria for each elegantly defined and the finest examples drawn from both camps. This is the sort of rare wine list that allows you to relax and place your trust in the sommelier team, led by the ever-impressive Nina Throsby, knowing that countless hours of tasting, reading and exploring have gone into presenting one of the finest collections around.