The highlight of the night, the presentation of the esteemed Wine List of the Year Award, was received by Sydney’s Bentley Restaurant + Bar.
“The winner of this year’s Australia’s Wine List of the Year was decided by the narrowest possible margin, which suggested keen competition with Melbourne’s Attica in Ripponlea, Sydney’s Jonah's Whale Beach and Est.”, Chairman of Judges, Peter Forrestal said. “The winner - Bentley Restaurant + Bar has been a highly competitive finalist in these awards since they first entered them back in 2008.
As sommelier of Bentley Restaurant + Bar’s wine list, Nick Hildebrandt further received the Judy Hirst Award, in memory of the awards’ late founder, remembered for her significant contribution to the industry.
Peter Forrestal added: “Nick Hildebrandt has long been acknowledged as one of the most talented sommeliers in the country and this year he is at the top of his game. His list is dazzling and innovative, balancing cutting edge producers with the wine industry's established superstars - offering a drop to tantalise all palates.”
Established in 1994, the awards set out to acknowledge the time, effort and money invested by restaurants, hotels, clubs, bars and cafés to produce a high quality wine list.
Two decades on, the awards have played a significant role in raising the bar for the quality of wines listed in restaurants, hotels, clubs, bars and cafés across the country, each year encouraging and supporting sommeliers to better their offering.
“The awards give everybody a reason to strive and excel in their wine lists, and it is a great honour to receive the Wine List of the Year Award and Judy Hirst Award”, Nick Hildebrandt said commenting on the award.
“Thank you to all the staff at Bentley; you can have a great wine list, but it’s nothing if you don’t have the right people to serve it. Thank you also to all the producers - the unsung heroes who make the list what it is.”
A panel of over 30 international and local judges joined Peter Forrestal this year, including Brian Julyan MS, Gerard Basset OBE, MW, MS, MBA, Cameron Douglas MS, Toni Paterson MW, Bob Campbell MW, James Lawther MW, Andrew Caillard MW, Jeni Port, Mike Bennie, Huon Hook and Peter Bourne to name a few.
Unique to these awards, each entry is measured on content, balance, suitability, presentation and pricing, as well as how well the wine list matches the establishment’s aperitifs, beers, spirits, liqueurs and waters, and cuisine.
As a result, the esteemed ‘Australia’s Wine List of the Year’ title has grown to become a recognised accreditation among trade and consumers alike, not only placing those who receive the accolade on the map as a venue that offers an exceptional dining experience, but also educating sommeliers more broadly on the new styles of wine and varieties available across the world, and importantly, on what constitutes a list worthy of a three glass rating as well as what today’s consumer is looking for.
Long-standing partner in the awards, Judy Sarris, Editor of Gourmet Traveller WINE said: “Over the years, it’s become apparent to me that wine lists are amazing barometers for trends in wine. A decade ago, who would have thought we’d have lists containing so many unusual grape varieties or the abundance of intriguing local wines speaking of specific soils or from extreme single sites.
“Favoured regions continue to shift with places such as Tasmania, Orange, Beechworth and the Adelaide Hills hitting their straps as the wine scene in Australia continues to evolve. It is true our sommeliers are often the first to source the most exciting wines available, providing us all with a chance to further our vinous education and enjoyment. This is one of the many reasons that once a year we celebrate their achievements through these awards.”
While the newest partner of the awards, CEO of the drinks association (publisher of drinks bulletin and drinks trade), Sandra Przibilla said: “We are thrilled to now be a partner with Gourmet Traveller WINE in these prestigious and long-running awards. We believe strongly that the more educated and informed the trade is, the better quality service and experience they can provide to their customers. Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards encourage the trade to reflect on their work and continue to develop their skills year on year, and it is this drive for achievement that makes them so successful.”
Recognising the quality of wine lists in Australia, this year more than 350 lists were entered, with a high pass rate according to founder and Chairman of Fine Wine Partners, Rob Hirst.
“The most popular award category now is Wine by the Glass, with almost 50 per cent of lists entered for this award. Other growth categories were Best Matching of Food and Wine and Best Listing of Australian wines. It was pleasing also to see an increase in entries for Best Listing of a Region’s Wines – encouraging to have more restaurants showcasing their local wine producers wines whilst at the same time catering for the growing number of Australian consumers who have made the step from – wine by variety to – wine by variety by region”.
Award Winners
Australia’s Wine List of the Year Award: Bentley Restaurant + Bar, NSW
Judy Hirst Award: Nick Hildebrandt
Best City Restaurant Wine List: Bentley Restaurant + Bar, NSW
Best Country Restaurant Wine List: fermentAsian, SA
Best Hotel Restaurant Wine List: Jonah’s, NSW
Best Pub Restaurant Wine List: Four in Hand, NSW
Best Club Restaurant Wine List: RACV City Club, VIC
Best Wine Bar List: Cru Bar + Cellar, QLD
Best New List – The Tony Hitchin Award: Fino Seppeltsfield, SA
Best Small Wine List (50 wines): Merricote, VIC
Best Small Wine List (100 wines): Spice Temple, VIC
Best Food & Wine Matching List: Quay, NSW
Best List of Wines by the Glass: Rockpool Bar & Grill, WA
Best Beer List: The Source Restaurant, TAS
Best Aperitif List: Print Hall, WA
Best Digestif List: Rockpool Bar & Grill, NSW
Best Listing of Australian Wines: Settlers Tavern, WA
Best Listing of a Region’s Wine: Appellation, SA
Gourmet Traveller Wine Readers’ Choice Award: Settlers Tavern, WA
State Winners
Best Wine List ACT: Aubergine
Best Wine List NSW: Bentley Restaurant & Bar
Best Wine List QLD: Cru Bar + Cellar
Best Wine List SA: fermentAsian
Best Wine List TAS: The Source Restaurant
Best Wine List VIC: Attica
Best Wine List WA: Lalla Rookh Wine Store
Hall of Fame
2014 Hall of Fame – Previous National Winners
Lake House, Daylesford, Vic (2014)
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Perth (2014)
Print Hall, WA(2013)
Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld, Vic (2012)
Pilu at Freshwater, NSW (2011)
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne (2010)
Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney (2009)
Aria, Sydney (2003)
Circa the Prince, Vic (2001)
Syracuse, Vic (1999)
2015 Hall of Fame – Previous National Individual Award Winners
Franck Moreau MS (2014)
2014 Hall of Fame – Previous Three Time Winners – State or National Category
Char (Best NT) 2012, 2013, 2014
Aria, Brisbane (Best QLD) 2011, 2013, 2014
Apothecary 1878 (Best SA) 2004, 2011, 2012
Appellation (Best SA) 2008, 2009, 2010
Me Wah (Best TAS) 2010, 2011, 2012
Friends (Best WA) 1999, 2002, 2003
Must Winebar (Best WA) 2004, 2008, 2009
Rockpool Bar & Grill (Best WA) 2011, 2012, 2014
Lake House (Best Country Restaurant) 2008, 2010, 2013
Glass (Best International Hotel) 2008, 2009, 2010
Royal Mail (Best Country Restaurant) 2009, 2011, 2012
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (Best Club) 2003, 2004, 2008
Settlers Tavern (Best Pub Restaurant) 2009, 2010, 2011
The European (Best Cafe) 2010, 2011, 2012
Must Winebar (Best Wine Bar) 2008, 2009, 2010
The Botanical (Best Pub Restaurant) 2012, 2013, 2014
Melbourne Supper Club (Best Wine Bar) 2004, 2011, 2012
Aria, Sydney (Gourmet Traveller WINE – Readers’ Choice Award) 2011, 2012, 2013
Share the content
