“The UK is consistently one of the hardest competitions to judge…with virtually unlimited access to wine from everywhere, wine directors face a tyranny of choice in building their programmes. The top lists share commonalities: expertise and mastery of their specific fields, sensitive understanding of their audiences, and above all, a confident voice harnessing the vast diversity of cultural influences and heritage which makes the country what it is.”
That’s how Stephen Wong MW described the task the judges for the Star Wine List of the Year UK were faced with in picking out the overall best restaurants and bars from a list of finalists that was an achievement in itself to meet.
This year’s awards were hosted in a new venue - 1 Hotel Mayfair - and chaired by Star Wine List’s Liora Levi and Rachel Fellows along with judge, award-winning sommelier, Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS, head of wine Europe at 67 Pall Mall.
The judges in the Star Wine List of the Year UK
The other judges in the competition were Richard Hemming MW and Mikk Parre, Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI).
Ten of the 13 categories announced on the day are classified as “International” and the winners will now go forward to compete in the Star Wine List of the Year Global Final 2026 to be held in Sweden in June.
Here are all the category winners, and finalists. Thanks to all the drinks partners for their respective categories for their support and helping to make the awards happen.
International Categories
Best Long List
For wine lists with more than 600 references
A category presented by Bibendum
Gold Star:
Doppo, London
What the judges said:
“With a strong focus on Italy, the winning list combines remarkable depth with clarity. It offers very good value throughout and is presented with precision and care, making it easy and compelling to read.” Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.
Silver Stars:
Claridge's Restaurant, London
Core by Clare Smyth, London
Dorian, London
Les 110 de Taillevent, London
Moor Hall, Aughton
Noble Rot Lamb’s Conduit, London
Noble Rot Mayfair, London
Noble Rot Soho, London
Raffles London at The OWO, London
Row on 5, London
The Clove Club, London
Best Medium-Sized List
Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references
A category presented by Dreissigacker
Gold Star:
Trivet, London
What the judges said:
“Inventive, playful, light-hearted – this list is full of personality; a real pleasure to peruse. The wines range from mainstream classics to left-field obscurities, offering something for everyone, and the layout and ordering is easy to navigate. A triumph!” Richard Hemming MW.
Silver Stars:
Blandford Comptoir, London
Climat, Manchester
Krokodilos Kensington, London
L’Enclume, Cartmel
Maison François, London
OMA, London
Sager + Wilde, London
The 10 Cases, London
The Twenty Two, London
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
Wiltons Restaurant, London
Best Short List
Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
A category presented by media partner The Buyer.
Gold Star:
DakaDaka, London
Winners of the Best Short List of the Year - Daka Daka. Roger Jones, right, presented the award to Honey Spencer, wine director, Mitz Vora, co-founder, and Giorgi Mindiashvili, co-founder
What the judges said:
“This is a very specialised list which definitely tested the judges’ knowledge! What made it truly shine for us was how it balanced its area of speciality with a confidently curated foundation of wine from outside those borders. From the touches of maturity to the concise information provided, to the accessible pricing and presentation, no space is wasted, no wines superfluously present. A true delight.” Stephen Wong MW.
Silver Stars:
Brat x Climpson's Arch, London
Dinings SW3, London
JÖRO Restaurant, Sheffield
Old Stamp House, Ambleside
Plates London, London
Restaurant Mýse, York
Sessa, London
Sollip, London
Solstice by Kenny Atkinson, Newcastle upon Tyne
Best By-the-Glass List
Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list
A category presented by Lingua Franca
Gold Star:
Row on 5, London
What the judges said:
“An impressively extensive list showcasing both youthful and beautifully aged wines from across the globe. With some truly unique offerings, it stands out as a by-the-glass selection not to be missed.” Mikk Parre
Silver Stars:
BODEGA Cardiff, Cardiff
Da Terra, London
Doppo, London
Dorian, London
Krokodilos Kensington, London
Les 110 de Taillevent, London
Noble Rot Lamb’s Conduit, London
Noble Rot Mayfair, London
Noble Rot Soho, London
Wild Corner, London
Wild Izakaya, London
Best Sparkling Wine List
Recognises the best list for sparkling wines
A category presented by Laurent-Perrier
Gold Star:
Row on 5, London
What the judges said:
“A seriously comprehensive selection of Champagnes, from benchmark houses to grower producers and icons, but also thoughtful expressions beyond France. An engaging and well presented list.” Kathrine Larsen-Robert.
Silver Stars:
Claridge's Restaurant, London
Comptoir Mayfair, London
Core by Clare Smyth, London
Doppo, London
Les 110 de Taillevent, London
Moor Hall, Aughton
Noble Rot Lamb’s Conduit, London
Noble Rot Mayfair, London
Noble Rot Soho, London
NoMad London, London
Raffles London at The OWO, London
Best Newcomer List
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
Gold Star:
Labombe by Trivet, London
What the judges said:
“A wine list that feels purposeful from the outset – focused, thoughtful and full of personality. The selection balances discoveries with strong foundations, and also demonstrates a level of maturity which is impressive for its newcomer status. A debut defined by ambition and promise.” Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.
Silver Stars:
Alta, London
Corenucopia by Clare Smyth, London
DakaDaka, London
Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei, London
Moi, London
Sessa, London
The Chancery Rosewood, London
Wild Izakaya, London
Sustainability Prize
Assesses the sustainable commitment of both the wine list and broader venue via a supplementary questionnaire submitted during the application process
A category presented by Esterházy
Gold Star:
Restaurant St. Barts, London
What the judges said:
“Thoughtful, comprehensive and consistent, this wine programme has sustainability at its heart. These guys walk the walk and there’s a palpable sense of responsibility running through their operations.” Richard Hemming MW.
Silver Stars:
Apricity, London
Plates London, London
Restaurant Pine, Newcastle upon Tyne
Spry, Edinburgh
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
Best Austrian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Austria
A category presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star:
Newcomer Wines, London
What the judges said:
“An impressive selection of producers, styles, regions, and maturity – with depth and even some verticals. Hard to do better!” Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.
Silver Stars:
AngloThai, London
Claridge's Restaurant, London
Dorian, London
Labombe by Trivet, London
Lady of the Grapes, London
Moor Hall, Aughton
Best Italian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy
Gold Star:
Doppo, London]
What the judges said:
“Rising to the fore in a strong field, the winning list shows both confidence and a deep understanding of Italy without pretence. Affordable and aged options sit comfortably beside each other and, despite having a favourite region, it does not neglect the others. The presentation made perusing the list a joy and, as the cherry on top of zeppole, it even highlights Italy’s contribution to wine made elsewhere. Bravi!” Stephen Wong MW.
Silver Stars:
Bacchanalia, London
Bocca di Lupo, London
Claridge's Restaurant, London
Dorian, London
Franco's, London
Luca, London
Manteca, London
Mezzogiorno by Francesco Mazzei, London
Noble Rot Mayfair, London
Row on 5, London
Special Jury Prize
Rewards a wine lovers’ place that does something out of the ordinary
Gold Star:
OMA, London
What the judges said:
“A truly memorable wine list has to combine many things: creativity, accuracy, range, value and perhaps above all, originality. This restaurant’s approach, classifying wine by its proximity to the sea, ticks all those boxes, and is highly deserving of special recognition.” Richard Hemming MW.
Local Categories
Best Rosé Wine List
Rewards the strongest rosé section
A category presented by Château Galoupet
Gold Star:
The Terrace Rooms & Wine, Ventnor
Tom and Ashley Fahey - winners of the Rose Wine List of the Year at The Terrace Rooms & Wine at Ventnor on the Isle of Wight
What the judges said:
“One of the broadest and most comprehensive rosé wine lists, covering both classic benchmark producers as well as new-school styles and regions. The list shows a creative approach while also offering excellent value.” Mikk Parre.
Silver Stars:
Dorian, London
Lady of the Grapes, London
Mountain, London
NoMad London, London
Row on 5, London
Sager + Wilde, London
The Grape Escape, Cheltenham
Timberyard, Edinburgh
Where The Light Gets In, Stockport
Best Spanish Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Spain
A category presented by Familia Torres
Gold Star:
Mountain, London
What the judges said:
“This elegant, tightly curated list manages to capture both the dynamism and rich vinous heritage of modern Spain with a practised, effortless ease. Exciting new producers, old classics, rare bottles and off-the-beaten track wines – they’re all here and all priced to be drunk, too. Extensive without being ungainly, we simply fell in love with this.” Stephen Wong MW.
Silver Stars:
Brat, London
Dorian, London
Dovetale, London
Moor Hall, Aughton
Noble Rot Lamb’s Conduit, London
Noble Rot Mayfair, London
Noble Rot Soho, London
Row on 5, London
The Terrace Rooms & Wine, Ventnor
Best Riesling Wine List
Recognises the best representation of wines made from the Riesling grape
A category presented by Dr. Lippold
Gold Star:
Claridge's Restaurant, London
What the judges said:
“This wine list confidently covers all the key regions and styles while also venturing beyond the classics into exciting, out-of-the-box territories. A well-curated selection of back vintages adds extra depth to an already impressive selection.” Mikk Parre.
Silver Stars:
Cloth Restaurant, London
Core by Clare Smyth, London
Doppo, London
Les 110 de Taillevent, London
Moor Hall, Aughton
Noble Rot Mayfair, London
Row on 5, London
Trinity, London
* The Buyer is media partner to Star Wine List of the Year UK.
* You can find out more about Star Wine List here.
