Attica wins 2020 Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards – Celebrating Success in a Year of Lockdowns

25 Nov 2020

According to Chair of Judges Peter Forrestal, Attica has been on the judges’ radar for several years as one of Australia’s top wine programs. A Finalist in Wine List of the Year in 2019 – in 2020 their list -submitted before the pandemic, was chosen by the International Jury as the leading wine list in Australia. “Attica owner and chef, Ben Shewry, has worked tirelessly finding innovative ways to keep his staff working productively in the darkest days of 2020. At present they offer an experience called ‘Attica In Between’. As their website says, ‘it isn’t necessarily the future, but it is Attica now.’ While the wine list won’t be operating as it did when it was judged, we understand Attica’s customers will again be able to enjoy an outstanding wine offer true to the Attica philosophy,” Forrestal said.

Ironically given the long lockdowns in Melbourne, three of six finalists considered for the major award – Attica, Cutler & Co. and Masani – are all Melbourne based. 

Awards Founder Rob Hirst said it was cruel that in a year when Australia’s wine lists achieved the highest ever average level in the 27-year history of the Awards (2.2 Glasses) that COVID-19 should hit the industry. “157 outlets achieved the prestigious 3 Glass level (Outstanding) compared with 9 in 1994.” 

“Obviously, a number of lists will be different today to what was submitted for judging earlier in the year. I’m sure the public will understand and join us in celebrating the extraordinary passion and commitment of sommeliers and business owners who have achieved glass rating and award success in these 2020 Awards. This is recognition that is theirs forever” Hirst added. 

“Also, in a year when Victoria has suffered so much at the hand of the pandemic, it is delightful to report the regional success for the Mornington Peninsula that glitters with more great and imaginative lists than ever before. Other regional stars include Harbourside Bar & Kitchen, Cairns in Far North Queensland, while Charred Kitchen in Orange, as a finalist in five of our awards, showed that its country location has little influence on quality.” 

Bennelong pays tribute to its iconic location with an All-Australian list of incomparable quality, while the elegant space occupied by Reign in the Queen Victoria Building, is matched by the veuve and panache of its bubblies. Taken all in all, this is a celebration of the hospitality industry and those who work in it,” Forrestal said. 

Best Wine List NSW – Sixpenny, Sydney 

Best Wine List QLD – Blackbird, Brisbane 

Best Wine List SA – Hardy’s Verandah, Adelaide Hills 

Best Wine List TAS – Black Cow Bistro, Launceston 

Best Wine List VIC – Attica, Melbourne 

Best Wine List WA – Il Lido, Perth 

Best Country Restaurant Wine List – Laura at Pt. Leo Estate, Merricks, Vic 

Best Hotel Restaurant Wine List – Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, Newport, NSW 

Best Pub Restaurant Wine List – Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room, Perth 

Best Club Restaurant Wine List – Terrace Kitchen, Launceston, Tas 

Best Wine Bar List – Saga Bar, Sydney 

Tony Hitchin Award (Best New List) – mimi’s, Sydney 

Best Small List (50 Wines) – Joint Winners – Cott & Co Fish Bar, Perth and Ishizuka, Melbourne 

Best Small List (100 Wines) – Spice Temple, Sydney 

Best List of Wine by The Glass – Cru Bar + Cellar, Brisbane 

Best Champagne List – Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney 

Best Sparkling Wine List – Reign at the QVB, Sydney 

Best Non-Alcoholic List – Attica, Melbourne 

Best Aperitif List – Banksii Vermouth Bar & Bistro, Sydney 

Best Digestif List – Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney 

Best Beer List – The Avoca Hotel, Avoca, Vic 

Best Sake List – Harbourside Bar & Kitchen, Cairns 

Best Listing of a Region’s Wines – The Boat House, Canberra 

Best Listing of Australian Wines – Bennelong, Sydney 

Best Listing of ACT Wines – The Boat House, Canberra 

Best Listing of NSW Wines – The Newcastle Club, Newcastle 

Best Listing of QLD Wines – Cru Bar + Cellar, Brisbane 

Best Listing of SA Wines – 2KW Bar & Restaurant, Adelaide 

Best Listing of TAS Wines – Terrace Kitchen, Launceston 

Best Listing of VIC Wines – Pt. Leo Estate, Merricks, Vic 

Best Listing of WA Wines – Shorehouse, Perth 

Gourmet Traveller Wine Readers’ Choice – Mitchell Harris Wines, Ballarat 

Sommeliers’ Choice Award – bibo Wine Bar, Sydney 

NATIONAL WINNERS 

Jonah’s, Whale Beach (2017) 

Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Sydney (2015) 

Lake House, Daylesford (2014) 

Rockpool Bar & Grill, Perth (2014) 

Pilu at Freshwater (2011) 

Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne (2010) 

Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney (2009) 

Aria, Sydney (2003) 

INDIVIDUAL AWARD 

David Lawler (2018) 

Frank Moreau (2014) 

Apothecary 1878 – now Apoteca (Best SA) 2004, 2011, 2012 

Barn Steakhouse (Best SA) 2013, 2017, 2019 

Cru Bar + Cellar (Best QLD) 2004, 2009, 2015 

Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth (Best WA) 2011, 2012, 2014 

Stillwater (Best TAS) 2016, 2017, 2018 

Stone House (Best NT) 2017, 2018, 2019 

Terrace Kitchen (Best TAS) 2008, 2009, 2019 

Aria (Gourmet Traveller Wine Readers’ Choice) 2011, 2012, 2013 

Botanical (Best Pub Restaurant List) 2012, 2013, 2014 

Chiswick (Best Small List) 2015, 2017, 2018 

Glass Brasserie (Best International Hotel List) 2008, 2009, 2010 

Jonah’s (Best Hotel Restaurant List) 2015, 2016, 2017 

Lake House (Best Country Restaurant List) 2008, 2010, 2013 

Love, Tilly Devine (Best Wine Bar List) 2013, 2016, 2017 

Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney (Best Aperitif List) 2011, 2012, 2017 

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (Best Club Restaurant List) 2003, 2004, 2008 

Settlers Tavern (Best Listing of WA Wines) 2017, 2018, 2019 

Settlers Tavern (Best Pub Restaurant List) 2009, 2010, 2011 

**Winners will be listed at winelistoftheyear.com.au and gourmettravellerwine.com after 5:00pm AEDST on November 30 and published in the December issues of Drinks Trade and Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine. 

In a tough year, the toughest in memory, Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards stands strong in its commitment to highlighting the craft and achievements of Australia’s sommeliers. In many ways, that support is needed now more than ever before. 

Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards was founded in 1994 by Rob and the late Judy Hirst and Tucker Seabrook to recognise and reward the commitment, craft and talent of Australia’s sommeliers, as well as the investment by business owners, in building and maintaining great wine lists and cellars.