Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards celebrate 30 years in 2023

Entries open on 3 April for the 30th edition of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards, Australia’s most prestigious awards program for the creators of Australia’s best wine lists

Venue owners, sommeliers and beverage directors have less than one month to go until they can submit their entries to the esteemed judging panel behind Australia’s most prestigious wine and beverage list recognition program.

Entries for all categories close at 11:59 pm on Monday, 15 May 2023 and must be submitted online. Sign up to the Wine List of the Year mailing list to be the first to access the entry form. (Scroll all the way to the bottom of page.)

“It’s wonderful that Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards are in their 30th year,” Australia’s Wine List of the Year Founder Rob Hirst said.

“Looking back at the winners and entries over the last 30 years shows the incredible evolution that’s taken place across the Australian hospitality sector. The quality continues to grow every year and now reaches beyond the restaurants into pubs, hotels, clubs and wine bars across every corner of the continent. I am thrilled we’ll be marking this 30th anniversary with an even bigger and better awards program.”

Key dates:

• ENTRIES OPEN: Monday, 3 April
• EARLY BIRD ENTRIES CLOSE: Monday, 1 May
• ENTRIES CLOSE: Monday, 15 May 2023
• AWARDS PRESENTATION (SYDNEY): Monday, 25 September

The awards have partnered with consumer magazine, Qantas Magazine | Travel Insider, again this year - an extraordinary opportunity for Australia’s top wine and beverage list creators - and the outstanding cellars behind them - to reach hundreds of thousands of readers nationwide.

“This is one of most premium wine awards programs in the country – and the only one to recognise the time, knowledge and care it takes to create a memorable wine list. Qantas passengers are very discerning when it comes to their restaurant choices, and through this partnership, we can offer them the ultimate guide to Australia's best wining and dining experiences,” Qantas Magazine | Travel Insider Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Galliott said.

The Drinks Association - publishers of Drinks Trade - continues as the Awards' trade media partner.

“For 30 years, these Awards have championed the restaurants and bars that have lifted the standard of wine lists in their venues right around Australia.

"The Drinks Association is proud to continue its partnership with the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards again in 2023, to toasting this year’s winners and all who have gone before them from 1994 until now,” CEO of the Drinks Association Georgia Lennon said.

“Congratulations to all the Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards team for making these Awards the important celebration they are today.”

The 30-strong independent judging panel includes highly respected local and international Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, expert wine communicators, previous national Wine List Award winners and Sommeliers Australia representatives who are tasked to assess all lists - big and small. The calibre and breadth of judges ensure the Awards maintain their prestige and recognition as the pre-eminent program for sommeliers, venue owners, and managers across restaurants, hotels, pubs, clubs and wine bars.

Recent additions to the judging panel include Amelia Ball, long-term wine and drinks editor and journalist, and Kim Bickley, award-winning sommelier, wine judge and educator.

Registrations to enter Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards will open from 12:01 am on Monday, 3 April 2023. Details and submission link available at www.winelistoftheyear.com.au.