Less than one month until entries open on 3 April for the 30th edition of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards

01 Apr 2023

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Calling all creators of the nation’s leading drinks lists – entries for the 30th edition of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards will officially open on Monday, 3 April 2023. 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 in the competition will close at 11:59 pm on Monday, 15 May 2023. Entries must be submitted via the online form, with the link made available from 3 April. Keen entrants are recommended to sign up to the Wine List of the Year mailing list to be the first to access the entry form – via link at – www.winelistoftheyear.com.au.

“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.”

Returning as this year’s presenting consumer media partner for the Awards is Qantas Magazine | Travel Insider. This presents 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 and receive the ultimate recognition for their continued pursuit of excellence.

“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.

Continuing its past invaluable support as trade media partner is the pre-eminent supplier of information and services to the Australian liquor trade, The Drinks Association.

“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 and to toasting this year’s winners and all who have gone before them from 1994 until now. Congratulations to all the Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards team for making these Awards the important celebration they are today.” CEO of the Drinks Association Georgia Lennon said.

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.

Lists are ranked from one to three glasses. The best of the best are then in contention to win the highly prized best in State / Territory, Type of Trade, Category Awards and, of course, Australia’s Wine List of the Year. For the Category Awards, entrants can submit their lists in a diverse range of categories such as Best Listing of Wines by the Glass, Best Food and Wine Matching, Best New, Best Small, also by beverage specialities and lists showcasing the wines from specific States / Territories or regions. To see the full listing of categories, visit www.winelistoftheyear.com.au.

2022 was an exciting year for the Awards – the first physical event after the easing of COVID restrictions. The Awards received a record number of entries from across Australia, and a record number of Glass Award venues and sommeliers were recognised at the event. This was exemplified in the 201 Three Glass Lists recognised in 2022, an extraordinary increase on the only 9 Three Glass lists awarded in the inaugural events in 1994. See the full listing of winners at www.winelistoftheyear.com.au.

Established in 1993 by Rob Hirst, his late wife Judy (after whom the main Award is named), and Tucker Seabrook, Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards celebrate the depth of talent, dedication and sheer commitment of sommeliers and venue owners across Australia to build and maintain great wine lists and the cellars behind them.

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.

Key dates to mark in your calendars for 2023:

ENTRIES OPEN: Monday 3rd April 2023

EARLY BIRD ENTRIES CLOSE: Monday 1st May 2023

ENTRIES CLOSE: Monday 15th May 2023

AWARDS PRESENTATION: Monday 25th September 2023

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Media – Brian Chase Olson

E: brian@blendpr.com.au M: 0435 403608

Partnerships – Victoria James

E: victoria@winelistoftheyear.com M: 0429 996817

Entrant Enquiries – Michael Nicholls

E: awards@winelistoftheyear.com

Director – Tucker Seabrook / AWLOTY – Elaine Millar

E: elaine@tuckerseabrook.com M: 0414 258633

Chairman Tucker Seabrook (Awards Owner) – Rob Hirst

Founder Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards

E: rob.hirst@tuckerseabrook.com M: 0416 011838

W: Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards – winelistoftheyear.com.au