Western Australia - Settlers Tavern

Settlers Tavern

114 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River
‍(08) 9757 2398

CUISINE Casual Modern Australian
WINE LIST Karen & Rob Gough
WINEs ON LIST 600 (25 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($27-$7 by the glass)

Settlers Tavern continues to resist any easy definition. Yes, its heart belongs to the producers and the wines of Margaret River, its home. It offers the best listing of Margaret River wines of any restaurant anywhere, this year adding aged lovelies such as the 2005 Leeuwin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon by 100ml pour via the magic of the Coravin preservation system.

Yes, it is a very strong Australian wine listing but it also offers a much broader view of the international wine world, almost exhaustive. With 600 wines on the list you get by way of a bonus 600 tasting notes and some of the most astonishing detail you will ever see on a wine list. Where to start? Maybe with a glass of Marq Wild Ferment Chardonnay, a small project wine by Margaret River winemaker Mark Warren at his family winery. Those wanting something celebratory should peruse the rare and limited wines section where some of the great wines of the world reside including Littorai and Kistler chardonnay from California, Domaine Weinbach riesling, Felton Road pinots, and so much more.

And maybe because some visitors need to travel a fair distance to dine at Settlers Tavern, the prices are exceedingly fair.

JENI PORT

Finalists

Frasers

60 Fraser Ave, King's Park
(08) 9481 7100

frasersrestaurant.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST William Roser
WINEs ON LIST 821 (41 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($79-$8 by the glass)

A stellar offering that celebrates Australian wine deeply then adds a deep kicker of international wines, with a particularly well chosen Burgundy and Champagne collection. Western Australia is, of course, a strong feature, and aside the stupendous verticals of marquee wines like Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay, Moss Wood Cabernet or Cullen Diana Madeline, there's back vintage runs of Mount Mary, Yarra Yering, By Farr and Mac Forbes to dive into. Likewise, the emerging sect of avant garde wine producers of Western Australia find their way into this collection, and it's great to see not only Great Southern and Margaret River included, but front-running producers from Swan Valley, Geographe, Ferguson Valley and Pemberton included. Catching an eye is the by the glass list, a triumph of boutique producers that reads like a 'must do' list for anyone seeking out some of the finest local producers and judiciously chosen imports. A clever, detailed and distinct list here.

Wildflower

The State Buildings, St Georges Tce & Barrack St, Perth
‍(08) 6168 7855

wildflowerperth.com.au

CUISINE Contemporary Australian
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly & Giulia Armillotta
WINEs ON LIST 400 (40 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($65-$13 by the glass)

A thrilling list that rides the fine line between avant garde and traditional, with aplomb. It's a list that, like many fine diners in Perth, dedicates a lot of room to the best producers of the home state Western Australia, but doesn't fear to tread further afield and source wines from emerging and established international wine regions alike. The delicate, local-producer focused menu is gifted a wide selection of aromatic white wines, particularly riesling, and showcases white wines of textural detail with depth in Italian whites tussling with interesting wines of Greece, Portugal and Spain alongside. Diving into by-the-glass options is similarly compelling, with up to 40 very individual wines on pour, and, again, a strong leaning to local producers. For those seeking a more rarified dining experience, there's an artfully selected collection of cellared, prestige wines on offer, and sherry, fortified and dessert wines run deep to close. An outstanding, pitch-perfect, modern Aus list.

Glass-Rated

Amelia Park Lodge

5850 Bussell Hwy, Busselton
04 1452 4402

ameliaparklodge.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Ian Baverstock
WINEs ON LIST 196 (20 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($25-$10 by the glass)

A well appointed wine list that delivers just shy of 200 wines chosen for best varieties and regions, with a scattering of more avant garde expressions for good measure. Cult producers like Sorrenberg and Jean Foillard rub shoulders with staples from big name Central Otago producers like Felton Road and Barossa Valley stalwarts Rockford, while a clique of Piedmont's upper echelon nebbiolo winemakers jostle for attention. It's great to see a list so assured in Australian classic wines delving into interesting and diverse imported drops, and for those inclined younger releases are complemented with those judiciously cellared. Overall, it's an applaudable global journey contained in these pages, with a sense of 'something for everyone' distinct in each detailed category. The take away message, once again, is that sommelier Ian Baverstock is reliably excellent at his job, and that winery restaurant wine lists excel when at their most diverse, like this.

Balthazar Perth

6 The Esplanade, Perth, WA
(08) 9421 1206

balthazar.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Daniel Morris, Emma Ferguson, Emma Hymus & Jay Joo
WINEs ON LIST 350 (12 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($19-$11 by the glass)

A wine list that has gone from strength to strength, building an enviable collection for the stalwart venue, showcasing a width and depth of local talent alongside well-chosen wines from 'over east' and overseas. The by the glass collection is serviceable but it's the breakout sections celebrating female winemakers, skin contact wines, wines with vine age and biodynamic wineries that lend the added pizzazz. In the body of the list you'll find a very strong commitment to Western Australian producers, with wines from avant garde producers like Express Winemakers and Sam Vinciullo found in the midst of halcyon wineries like Cullen and Vasse Felix. The balance between younger generation producers and those that are well-established is well measured, and classic varieties and styles find balance alongside edgier, contemporary expressions. It's a wonderful list to navigate for the classicists amongst us but also titillates for those seeking one of Perth's most adventurous lists.

BWG Steakhouse

58 Duncraig Road, Applecross
‍(08) 9315 7700

bwgsteakhouse.com.au

CUISINE Steakhouse
WINE LIST William Roser
WINEs ON LIST 220 (20 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$9 by the glass)

A list that feels wedded to classic hits of Australian wine and does great justice to the steak focus of the food menu. You're going to be going deep on the red wines where an array of West Australia wines feature, including well-chosen marquee cabernet wines from Margaret River, of course! Bold shiraz from warm climates of Australia are also dutifully included with Torbreck, Glaetzer, Rusden set alongside mature vintages of Penfold's Grange and Henschke Hill Of Grace. Aromatic whites get a good run despite the meaty focus of the dining, and there's a thoughtfully curated collection of international wine benchmarks found within the 200-plus wines on offer. It's great to see such dedication to classic wines of Australia, so proudly represented in this appropriate-to-venue list.

Canteen Pizza

118 Marine Parade, Cottesloe
‍(08) 6555 7766

canteen.pizza

CUISINE Italian
WINE LISTMark Rutter
WINEs ON LIST 157 (31 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($19-$6 by the glass)

Canteen Pizza is one fun place to dine if the wine list is any indication. Every Monday night is Pizza & Pinot Night with an accompanying excellent selection of Pinots, while every night is Pet Nat Party time. The casual approach to wine (Dining Note: Rizza means Riesling!) hides a serious side and philosophy whereby the producers chosen employ for the most part minimal intervention and sustainable practices. There is a serious orange/amber wine collection, and tastings range from the 100ml piccolo in size to the bottle. Be prepared for a mix of Aussie and Italian wines, many reasonable in price and all are simply fun and enjoyable to drink now.

The Cordial Bar

Clive Street & Austral Terrace, Katanning
‍(08) 6500 3950

premiermillhotel.com

CUISINE Share Plates
WINEs ON LIST 78 (15 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($13.5-$8 by the glass)

A wine list that wears its local grape growing region(s) on its sleeve, with a near exclusive Great Southern focus for wines selected for this menu. It's great, though, that the breadth of the Great Southern is so strongly championed with a spread that takes in marquee and emerging wine producers equally. Indeed, the loyalty to Western Australia is writ large even in beer and spirits included in this list, a ringing endorsement for quality and innovation in Australia's most westerly state. Amongst the detail of the list are some more mature releases, and, interestingly, a commitment to wine on tap that results in seasonal (local) wines being on offer via that scheme. There's a lot to enjoy here, and a visit to Katanning would see visitors well-serviced by the parochial wine collection at Cordial Bar. Kudos once more for the curation.

Frasers

60 Fraser Avenue, Kings Park
‍(08) 9482 7100

frasersrestaurant.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST William Roser
WINEs ON LIST 821 (41 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($79-$8 by the glass)

The Heritage Wine Bar

131 St Georges Terrace, Perth
‍(08) 9226 5596

theheritageperth.com.au

CUISINE Wine Bar / Modern Australian
WINE LIST Pavel Ribaudo
WINEs ON LIST 115 (101 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($105-$10 by the glass)

An inventive and completely appealing wine list that travels the globe ably and delivers both marquee and more avant garde expressions in good measure. Indeed, thrilling to see emerging producers from Germany like Ziereisen set alongside, say, Vasse Felix, though you get the feeling that a lot of the list is dedicated to artisan winemakers and boutique wineries. By the glass clocks in at around 100 different wines – a massive feature of a list and completely impressive for its diversity and depth. It's wonderful to see good support for the local winemaking community of Western Australia, particularly the younger generation with producers like La Violetta and LAS Vino writ large in the collection. The list also does a nice job of name-checking winemakers themselves, with inclusions alongside their wines for most of the entries in this list. Clever work from the Heritage Wine Bar overall, a very appealing selection emerges with vigour and vim on its side.

Il Lido

88 Marine Parade, Cottesloe
‍(08) 8928 61111

illido.com.au

CUISINE Italian
WINE LIST Jodie Chatfield, James Tuxworth & Sally Lovell
WINEs ON LIST 534 (22 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($27-$11 by the glass)

A substantial and diverse collection of wines, with a strong emphasis on Italian producers including features on those that seasonally take the fancy of the extremely strong sommelier team. It's a list that runs from expressive natural wines to thunderous releases of prestige wineries, and delivers cellared gems amongst the fresh releases of those from proximate Western Australian wine regions. It's great to see features on lesser known winemakers from Italy like Ageno or Inama but likewise have the list acknowledge Gaja or the varied wines of Conterno families. Deep lists of Great Southern wine producers are a charm too, especially those of the progressive sect emerging from the often-overlooked region. By the glass is a little light on as an indicator of what follows, as the some 530-plus wines speak fluidly of contemporary and classic wine tastes. The collection ticks so many boxes, so well, and delivers all-comers and opportunity to experience great wine of all ilks. So very good.

Island Market

364 West Coast Drive, Trigg
‍(08) 9447 0077

islandmarkettrigg.com

CUISINE Levantine
WINE LIST Nina Throsby & Aaron Commins
WINEs ON LIST 99 (21 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($16-$8 by the glass)

Seaside wine regions are a strong focus in this intriguing and well-selected list. Indeed, the proximity to ocean ties in neatly with the name 'Island Market' as a theme. Therefore, bright, refreshing whites, light to medium bodied reds and a slew of interesting, lesser-sung grape varieties are the forte here. Of course, there's still a deferral to quality wines featuring more classic styles, but the real excitement is choosing something 'exotic' from the clever wines of Greece section, a lesser-known Italian red variety or style, or diving into some of the more exotic by the glass selections. It's great to see the synergy between food menu and wine list writ large too, with a strong suggestion that wines are chosen for their food friendliness and an inherent freshness to meet the chef's intent at a good point. It's fantastic to see thoughtful themes applied to wine lists like this, and the balance of classic and avant garde producers seals the deal. Really nicely done.

Lake Karrinyup Country Club

North Beach Rd, Karrinyup
‍(08) 9422 8222

lkcc.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Darry Wall
WINEs ON LIST 298 (16 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($8.5-$6 by the glass)

A charming wine list that delivers what seems like exceptional value, not only at the entry level or affordable wine end of the spectrum, but right through to cellared gems and the marquee Australian premium wines that elevate the list. It is wonderful to see deep support for the local wine industry in extensive selections from Western Australia, more so of some of the more boutique offerings from the likes of Faber and Talijancich in Swan Valley, Talisman of Ferguson Valley and a coterie of interesting producers from Great Southern. Likewise, those seeking a Big Night Out will be well served by keenly-priced blue chip wines from halcyon producers like Mount Mary, Felton Road, Dry River and Torbreck, and a very nicely chosen vertical of Penfold's Grange. It's a wine list that feels traditional but also delivers some broader scope in grape varieties and styles that are emerging trends in the broader Australian wine scene. An excellent club list here.

Long Chim Perth

The State Buildings, St Georges Tce & Barrack St Perth
‍(08) 8616 7775

longchimperth.com

CUISINE Thai
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly
WINEs ON LIST 85 (19 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$10 by the glass)

Sommelier and drinks expert Emma Farrelly does a pitch-perfect job giving diners a broad and interesting selection of wines with a keen focus of the spice-laden cuisine of Long Chim restaurant. The list itself is friendly in its headers with collections like Long Chim Favourites – Tried & Tested With Spice indicative of the consideration in this wine list. There's enough of the avant garde to tickle the fancy of adventurous drinkers, though you'll find keenly-chosen entries from classic producers, particularly in the aromatic white wine selection, that will be familiar and inspiring to many. By the glass sticks to spice-friendly drops, cocktails do a good job of featuring more of the thematic inclusion, and there's a general accessibility found in this clever line-up of wines. Big ticket wines fall under the amusingly named Just Got Paid section, so those seeking an elevated experience are likewise catered for (Standish and Felton Road, hello!). Smart, engaging and well done here.

Los Bravos

2/252 William Street, Perth
‍(08) 9328 1687

losbravos.com.au

CUISINE Spanish
WINE LISTEmma Ferguson & Rachael Hughes
WINEs ON LIST 62 (16 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($18-$9 by the glass)

This is a cool list. It shows off some finger-on-pulse knowledge about interesting importers, avant garde locals and gives drinkers anchors in familiar varieties and styles while pushing some boundaries. Of course, Spain is a focus, so you get succinct and intriguing drops from Canary Islands, Madrid and Mentrida, though more well-versed regions like Rioja, Ribera and Rias Biaxas also feature. Natural wine is scattered through the list, particularly Western Australian producers, and you get the gist that the list leans towards the minimal intervention wine school generally. It's great to see sherries getting light in the sun too. Aromatic whites, crunchy, lighter style reds and vibrant blends are strongly represented, and then producers like Vasse Felix, Cloudburst and Forest Hill come in with more classic, elegant expressions of 'noble varieties'. This is a clever, contemporary collection of wines, and a great source of discovery for adventurous and conservative drinkers alike.

Lulu La Delizia

Shop 5/97 Rokeby Rd (Forrest Walk) Subiaco
‍(08) 9381 2466

lululadelizia.com.au

CUISINE Northern Italian
WINE LIST Alexander Rogers
WINEs ON LIST 50 (20 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($59-$12 by the glass)

A superb wine list, full of charisma and dedication to the Italian focus of the restaurant, delivering intriguing local expressions, touchstones of natural wine, classic producers and a great breadth of winemaking style. The icons section highlights producers like controversial Friulian Fulvio Bressan alongside class acts such as Elisabetta Foradori and Bruno Giacosa, while selected locals like La Violetta, Cullen and Blind Corner show a leaning to the minimal interventionalists and organic. It's great to see astute selection for a list of 50 wines where no space is given to frivolity or lower class product. Indeed, the list could a poster child for shorter wine collections and the strong theme is astutely delivered to drinkers at this restaurant. For those wanting diversity beyond the Italian-centric collection there's neatly selected wines of Austria, Hungary, and various wine regions of South Australia and Victoria, as examples. A dream list supports one of WA's great restaurants.

Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room

72 Outram Street, West Perth
04 7500 0136

mayfairlane.com.au

CUISINE Gastro Pub
WINE LIST Foni Pollitt
WINEs ON LIST 330 (50 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($32-$8 by the glass)

A very diverse and lengthy wine list that seems to cover just about all possible bases. There's a special interest in wines from vineyards with volcanic soils; an interesting and unique twist that's possibly totally original in Australia. Classic, premium wine brands of Australia are the foundation stone of this wine list, and, indeed, there is a neat collection of matured examples also found in these pages. Western Australia is keenly and deeply supported with a mix of big names like Leeuwin, Cullen and Deep Woods, though you'll also find emerging wine producers LAS Vino, Wines Of Merritt and Express Winemakers. Drinks director and co-owner of Mayfair, Foni Pollitt, has a broad palate and a distinct flair for putting together an enticing list. Pollitt has also quietly amassed one of the more interesting Italian wine collections in Western Australia, and proudly focuses on the countries best regions and wine styles. Mayfair Lane is evidently an exciting place to drink wine.

Meeka

361 Rokeby Road, Subiaco
(08) 9381 1800

meekarestaurant.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian/Middle Eastern
WINE LISTFaye Clarke & Nav Singh
WINEs ON LIST 50 (17 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$9.5 by the glass)

The wine list feels righteous, set to a notion of minimal intervention wine producers though the listings go pretty broad on that concept. It's a list that gives touchstones of the avant garde of Australian wine producers with a scattering of edgy imports and then some more safe bets. You'll find great wines from Tasmania, Great Southern, Adelaide Hills nestled next to offerings from Loire Valley, Burgundy, Pfalz. It's a list that feels pretty safe in a modern context of Australian wine lists despite its epithet of 'natural' and 'boutique', which isn't a bad thing at all. Highlights include exceptional wine from Keke Descombes and it's great to see Aussie wineries like Tarturry and FC Bicknell featuring in Western Australia. The spread of the offering is comprehensive, the list indeed giving a good sense of global touchstones of regions of currency and interest. Plenty to like here.

Mojo's

2/33 Clifton Street, Bunbury
‍(08) 9792 5900

mojosrestaurant.com.au

CUISINE Contemporary
WINE LIST Jake Atkinson
WINEs ON LIST 270 (20 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($25-$9 by the glass)

This is a super interesting wine list, and, beyond the fermented grape stuff, incredibly strong in the world of craft beer. Indeed, the list opens with one of the best collections you'll find of craft beer in an on premise dining setting, with a cavalcade of intriguing brews from a multitude of carefully chosen brewers. Aside beer, though, wine is really strong in its presence too, with some 250-plus drops on offer, with a keen focus on avant garde wine producers, interesting wine styles, lesser-sung grape varieties, and younger drinking wines. Western Australian younger generation producers are a forte, but the last pages of the list tell a story of greater maturity, with exceptionally chosen, cellared wines a feature. Expect to see vertical runs of Picardy, Moss Wood and Henschke surrounded by marquee international wine producers. This is a very deep, very original collection of drinks – it should be celebrated greatly.

No Mafia

11/189 William Street, Northbridge
‍(08) 6162 6405

nomafia.com.au

CUISINE Italian
WINE LIST Emma Ferguson & Rachael Hughes
WINEs ON LIST 30 (16 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($19-$9 by the glass)

Saying this is a 'fun' list is a little underplaying it, but you get the sense that the venue wants you to have a rollicking time and the wines are of an ilk that quench-thirst, provide interest, come from hip producers and generally throw down the gauntlet to traditionalists to step into the world of the avant garde. The collection leans strongly into the world of natural wine with local heroes Sam Vinciullo, Brave New Wine and Si Vintners, found alongside luminaries like Occhipinti or Frank Cornelissen. Indeed, closer inspection of the list reveals that while local wine is celebrated, so too are imports only sourced from Italy, a unique proposition in some respects. While speaking of proximate wine producers, Western Australia's avant garde sect is readily celebrated here, indeed, perhaps the focal point for those looking for a good time at No Mafia. This is a very contemporary short list delivering a lot in its 30-odd listings.

Odyssea City Beach

187 Challenger Pde, City Beach
‍(08) 9385 7979

odysseacitybeach.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Riccardo Dal Molin
WINEs ON LIST 277 (68 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($49-$9 by the glass)

A lengthy and detailed list that delivers a broad spectrum round-up of Australian wines, classic hits, best-of region offerings and a decent selection of imported wines from benchmark and famed international wine regions. There's a huge (almost 70 wines!) by the glass selection which delivers everything from basic through to rare wines, which is a boon for those looking to diversify their dining experience and really take on the spectrum of this bountiful wine list. It's great to see a feature section on Marc Bredif's classy wines, likewise, some of the avant garde set, like Brash Higgins or Latta, set alongside the big names of Western Australian winemaking such as Clairault, Cullen and Moss Wood. Margaret River is particularly well represented, and premium wineries like Lenton Brae, Cape Naturaliste and Victory Point are given time in the sun. It's a list rich in classic and classy Aussie drops, with a vast array of wine to explore and enjoy, in its youthful prime.

The Old Brewery

173 Mounts Bay Road, Perth
‍(08) 9211 8999

theoldbrewery.com.au

CUISINE Steakhouse
WINE LIST Levi McDonald
WINEs ON LIST 628 (21 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($18-$8 by the glass)

A thunderous, near encyclopaedic list that details near every corner of Australian wine, a hit list of marquee international wine regions and offers drinkers both youthful releases and wines that have been judiciously cellared. It's a list that delivers classics of global wine with incredible depth on its side, showcasing fantastic Champagne, a brilliant treatise to Australian chardonnay, excellent choices in pinot noir, and in a nod to the local wine communities, superb selections of cabernet and Bordeaux-inspired blends. Another feature is the collections of marquee wine producers, where Yarra Yering, By Farr, Mount Mary and Giaconda, as examples, are listed across multiple vintages for designated cuvees. It's a list that commands attention for its length, but once navigated offers almost impossible choice for its riches. Classic as it is, there's much excitement here, for casual dining through to those special nights of profligacy and excess.

Petition Kitchen

St Georges Tce & Barrack St, Perth
‍(08) 6168 7771

petitionperth.com/kitchen

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly
WINEs ON LIST 126 (20 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($24-$12 by the glass)

Aspiring sommeliers across Australia should take heed of lists such as this. Compelling in every sense, the collection finds a balance between classics, emerging wine styles and wine regions, younger generation wine producers, halcyon winemakers, and the considered selection of avant garde wines. It's cleverness personified and offers drinkers a wealth of opportunity to find comfort or explore. By the glass sets things off in the right direction with forays into Germany, skin fermented white wine (orange wines) and Margaret River staples all given air time together. The guts of the list describe similar, with high quality curiosities from lesser-known winemakers and growing areas found amongst the familiar. Sections are delineated by style rather than wholly focussing on varieties, so drinkers find an ease in selection beyond the skill of the Petition floor team. An outstanding wine list curated by one of the great talents of Australian wine, Emma Farrelly (and team).

Petition WineBar

State Buildings, St Georges Tce & Barrack St, Perth
‍(08) 6168 7772

petitionperth.com/wine

CUISINE Bar Dining
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly
WINEs ON LIST 500 (28 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($29-$12 by the glass)

A beacon for fine wine and finger-on-the-pulse expression of contemporary Australian drinking, Petition Winebar & Merchant is an outstanding venue with one of the country's most dynamic wine lists. Choose from around 500 different bottles on the bottle shop shelves and drink in for a nominal fee or let the expert drinks team, led by award-winning sommelier Emma Farrelly, help you into a decision. While the bottles on shelf are decidedly skewed to West Australia's most high calibre and interesting producers, the collection is a global span of fine wine with a decided bent to prestige producers, boutique wineries and small-scale but quality winemakers, most with a lean to sustainable farming and minimal intervention winemaking. By the glass is a rolling feast that can see drinkers diving into halcyon biodynamic winegrower Hochkirch alongside tearaway Great Southern wildchilds Brave New Wine. Eclectic equates to adventure here, but underplays the immense consideration of this list. Bravo.

Post

Cnr St Georges Tce & Barrack St, Perth
(08) 6168 7822

postperth.com.au

CUISINE Modern Italian
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly
WINEs ON LIST 100 (18 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($19-$11 by the glass)

It's all hits and no misses on this cleverly compiled list. All premium, all high quality, even in the entry level wines there's judicious selection to ensure drinkers are having a good time, and, importantly, feel like the wines are hitting the spot. Therefore you see wines like Blind Corner's frisky Chenin Blanc or Domaine Naturaliste ‘Discovery’ leading the way for affordability, though stepping up and into the mid-tiers there's gems from emerging producers like Fletcher based out of Barolo or Koerner from Clare Valley. Most significant wine regions of Australia and Europe get a turn in this sharply chosen list, including Rheinhessen riesling, Chablis, Chianti and Central Otago pinot noir. The adage that there's something for everyone rings true and loud here, right through to neatly selected amaro, apertifs and digestifs. It's a list that excels and feels pitch perfect for this modern Italian trattoria.

Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth

Great Eastern Highway, Burswood
‍(08) 6252 1900

rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au

CUISINE Contemporary Steakhouse
WINE LIST Andrew Symes
WINEs ON LIST 2785 (71 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($69-$9 by the glass)

With around 2785 wines to choose from this is one serious-looking wine list. All Rockpool Bar & Grill restaurants excel in the wine department, but Perth distinguishes itself with West Australia entries and some personal touches. Therefore, the current list has a dedicated 'sommelier select' selection of landmark sherry producer and wunderkind Equipo Navazos, epic in its scope and scale. Half bottles run surprisingly deep, and, of course, Champagne is a landmark feature in this list with a wealth of grower producers matched by a collection of grand marques and big name favourites. For those embarking on serious proteins from the grill, there's superb Burgundy and Rhone reds, with Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello compelling amongst the rich offering in this list. Around 70 wines by the glass allows guests to explore more, and to keenly match wine to dishes, something this skilled sommelier team will do with aplomb and the armoury of this outstanding, incredible wine list.

Royal On The Waterfront

60 Royal Street, East Perth
‍(08) 9221 0466

theroyaleastperth.com

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST David Penrose
WINEs ON LIST154 (33 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$9 by the glass)

A strong list that represents the benchmark wines of Australia with good additions of best-of wine regions from Europe. There's a solid anchor in Western Australia wines, including some choice cellared offerings from Woodlands, Leeuwin Estate and Xanadu. It's a surprise and delight to see some of the avant garde of Australian wine represented in the list, with multiple cuvees from Ochota Barrels found alongside neighbour Lucy Margaux. Fine wines from around the country include Giant Steps, Bindi and Yarra Yering, with judiciously chosen imports in most sections offering good diversity. Champagne selections might be shorter than expected, but with Jerome Prevost and Larmandier Bernier featured and priced well, upmarket drinking is easier than expected. A solid 33 by the glass options rounds out a well-adjudicated 150-odd wine, wine list.

Settlers Tavern

114 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River
‍(08) 9757 2398

settlerstavern.com

CUISINE Casual Modern Australian
WINE LIST –
WINEs ON LIST 600 (25 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($27-$7 by the glass)

This superstar list continues at pace. A remarkable offering for a regional pub, let alone a restaurant anywhere in Australia. Proprietors Karen and Rob Gough are dedicated to not only supporting their local wine region, Margaret River, but unearthing and fostering new talent, discovering and promoting under-the-radar producers and broadening horizons of patrons. There's mature wines from the bulging Settlers Tavern cellar regularly updating the list, and, of course, gems from Western Australia feature heavily here. The Gough's have long supported the fine wines under the banner of natural wine, so you'll find rarities from Savoie's Domaine Belluard, southern German pinot star Ziereisen or Jura rising star Tony Bornard. Of course, 'You Have Now Entered Margaret River Cab Country' gives way to a triumphant, and carefully-curated collection of the finest of local reds. Some 600 wines later and you've seen one of the most legendary living lists in the country.

The Shorehouse

278 Marine Pde, Swanbourne
‍(08) 9286 4050

shorehouse.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Nina Throsby & Aaron Commins
WINEs ON LIST 381 (43 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($26-$8 by the glass)

Young gun sommelier Nina Throsby, and her dynamic team, have created perhaps one of Australia's most interesting to read wine lists. That the content is excellent is no surprise, but the elements of design are striking and make the wine list a whole lot more fun than the majority. Infographics, written content and layout are excellent here, but so too is the mix of classic and contemporary wines with a strong focus on the winemakers of Western Australia. Aromatic whites, Champage (hello Egly-Ouriet collection), some excellent Burgundy, feature collections of producers like cult Beaujolais winemakers Jean Foillard and Georges Descombes, a focus on Mosel riesling and some strong Australian icons and you've got a seriously good selection to drink from. Use of Coravin extends the by-the-glass offering to just over 40 to choose from too. The Shorehouse is a sure thing for a great wine experience.

Steve's

30 The Avenue, Nedlands
‍(08) 9386 3336

steves.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Michael Hartley
WINEs ON LIST 1500 (43 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($19.5-$11 by the glass)

The wine team lost count at around 1500 wines on this list, with a collection that reads like the dictionary of wine. It opens with a thunderous treatise to the world of great Champagne and sparkling wines (don't miss the English ones from Hattingley Valley!) and rolls through immense collections of Burgundy wine producers and finishes deep in one of the grandest collections of Australian shiraz, particularly the traditional styles of South Australia from landmark wineries. Along the way there's huge selections of leading riesling producers, an incredible Bordeaux selection and a raft of wines that have been judiciously matured in Steves' cellar. A mere 43 wines are by the glass and spirits, particularly gin, are brilliantly represented. It's an extensive collection here that really puts the phrase 'something for everyone' in perspective. A treasure trove, is perhaps the best description.

Wildflower

The State Buildings St Georges Tce & Barrack St, Perth
‍(08) 6168 7855

wildflowerperth.com.au

CUISINEContemporary Australian
WINE LIST Emma Farrelly & Giulia Armillotta
WINEs ON LIST 400 (40 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($65-$13 by the glass)

Western Australia Winner

Settlers Tavern

Settlers Tavern

Finalists

Frasers

Wildflower

Glass-Rated

Amelia Park Lodge

Balthazar Perth

BWG Steakhouse

Canteen Pizza

The Cordial Bar

Frasers

The Heritage Wine Bar

Il Lido

Island Market

Lake Karrinyup Country Club

Long Chim Perth

Los Bravos

Lulu La Delizia

Mayfair Lane Pub & Dining Room

Meeka

Mojo's

No Mafia

Odyssea City Beach

The Old Brewery

Petition Kitchen

Petition WineBar

Post

Rockpool Bar & Grill Perth

Royal On The Waterfront

Settlers Tavern

The Shorehouse

Steve's

Wildflower

Australia'sWine Listof the YearAwards

Wine List of the YearJudy Hirst AwardBest City Restaurant

The Tony Hitchin Award(Best New List)

Best Small Wine List(50 Wines)

Best Small Wine List(100 Wines)

Best List of Wines By the Glass

Best Food & WineMatching List

Best Listing Of Australian Wines

Best Listing of a Region's Wines

Best Club Restaurant List

Best Country Restaurant List

Best Hotel Restaurant List

Best Pub Restaurant List

Best Wine Bar List

Best Aperitif List

Best Digestif List

Best Beer List

Best Champagne List

Best Sparkling Wine List

Best Non-Alcoholic List

Best Wine List ACT

Best Wine List NSW

Best Wine List NT

Best Wine List QLD

Best Wine List SA

Best Wine List TAS

Best Wine List VIC

Best Wine List WA

Readers' Choice Award

Sommeliers' Choice

Hall of Fame

Australia's
Wine List
of the Year
Awards

Wine List of the Year
Judy Hirst Award
Best City Restaurant

The Tony Hitchin Award
(Best New List)

Best Small Wine List
(50 Wines)

Best Small Wine List
(100 Wines)

Best Food & Wine
Matching List