Australian Capital Territory

Pialligo Estate

thepialligoestate.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Frederique Raimbaud / Brendan Walsh
WINEs ON LIST 343 (17 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($11-$55 by the glass)

The benefit of a restaurant in proximity to a wine region is the ability to enhance menus with a bounty of local offerings. Sometimes this means a wine list becomes cumbersome and lacking in diversity, but with judicious selection, and an eye on the best wines from each producer, it can become a glorious feature that elevates a dining experience.

Pialligo Estate has married a sense of local pride with a global understanding of fine wine. It’s a list that proudly showcases homegrown heroes including Clonakilla, Lerida Estate and Eden Road, while giving drinkers an opportunity to explore neighboring regions like Hilltops.

While the wine list isn’t as hefty as some, every wine selected seems to have been chosen for its quality as well as its resonance with the locavore-leaning, upmarket-rustic farmhouse menu. Global listings include wines from the great wine regions of the world with a preference towards cuvées from producers who grow their own grapes and make their own wines, in a neat echo of Pialligo Estate’s local food sources. It’s a superb list in every sense. Mike bennie

Finalists

Italian & Sons

7 Lonsdale St, Braddon
(02) 6162 4888

italianandsons.com.au

CUISINE Italian
WINE LIST Pasquale Trimboli
WINEs ON LIST 200 (18 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($12-$23 by the glass)

Forget flying to Italy and head to Canberra's bustling Italian and Sons instead for a night of authentic food and superb wine. The wine list is a slick inventory of Italian wine from key regions, plus the odd French and Australian addition. Of note are the collections of Barbaresco and Barolo plus quality Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino. Most of all, it's a carefully compiled list which gives one great confidence in the selections.

Muse

69 Canberra Ave, Kingston
(02) 6178 0024

musecanberra.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LISTPaul Eldon / Daniel Sanderson
WINEs ON LIST 128 (13 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($10-$17 by the glass)

There's a lot of passion behind this list, proudly composed of independent Australian producers. It opens with a flight of malbecs of contrasting style from Heathcote, Margaret River and Kangaroo Island. There is an interesting selection of Australian wines by-the-glass with treats such as Hatherleigh Pinot Noir and two mystery wines from the 'vault'. The main list is a hand-selected compilation of wines diverse in style and origin. It is a fabulous list with much to discover, and I applaud its singular Australian focus.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS: Muse celebrates Australian wines with a diverse range of independent producers. Italian & Sons’ classy list finds sympathy with its Italian cuisine: wonderful Barolo, Barbaresco and Super Tuscans sit alongside an imposing vertical of Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier.

Glass-Rated

Aubergine

18 Barker St, Griffith
(02) 6260 8666

aubergine.com.au

CUISINE Modern European
WINE LIST Cyril Thevenet
wines ON LIST 525 (39 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($8-$37 by the glass)

Sommelier Cyril Thevenet's depth of wine knowledge and high level of attentive service makes dining at Aubergine truly memorable. Pair that with Ben Willis' stunning food and you are in for a treat. Now one can take a hands-off approach by ordering the degustation, with its spot-on wine matches. Or be perfectly satisfied ordering by-the-glass, including aged wines via Coravin. Thevenet's main list is confident, calm and composed, being a highly-curated set of great wines. Whether you are after the liberal, the local or the classic, you will be more than satisfied.

Avenue C Wine Co

55/65 Constitution Ave, Campbell
(02) 6247 5991

avenuecwineco.com.au

CUISINE Tapas
WINE LIST Peter Bell
WINE ON LIST 122 (17 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($9.50-$19 by the glass)

An unassuming little wine bar, which will one day be the bustling hub of the area, but right now is a bit of a lone soldier. But there is nothing wrong with being ahead of your time! Simply delicious food and great wines to match. The selection of wine is rather avant-garde including a few eclectic local drops. Wines-by-the-glass can be found on the blackboard, and the selection changes frequently. Or choose a bottle from the adjoining shop, and for a nominal $15 corkage you can drink in house.

Bar Rochford

1/65 London Cct, Canberra City
(02) 6230 6222

barrochford.com

CUISINE European/Australian
WINE LIST Nick Smith
wines ON LIST 58 (12 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($12-$17 by the glass)

Bar Rochford is a hip place to chill and unwind, with its grazing share plates, vinyl collection, edgy cocktails and experimental wine list. The selection is small, youthful and diverse; plus there's an extensive spirits list including a sweep of vermouths if you're craving herbs and spice. As for fizz, try your luck with a pétillant natural, a Crémant de Bourgogne or a classy Champagne. The main wine list is grouped by style and includes many organic and biodynamic producers.

Boat House (The)

Grevillea Park, Menindee Dr, Barton
(02) 6273 5500

theboathouse.restaurant

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Kate Hibberson
WINE ON LIST 112 (12 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($10-$18 by the glass)

Views over the lake, magnificent food and a classy selection of wine make for a superb dining experience at The Boat House. The wine list proudly showcases wines from the Canberra District so that you can enjoy delights from sterling wineries such as Nick O'Leary, Eden Road and Clonakilla. It is a beautifully tailored list brimming with respected producers, large and small, with quality being the prevailing theme.

Italian And Sons

7 Lonsdale St, Braddon
(02) 6162 4888

italianandsons.com.au

CUISINE Italian
WINE LIST Pasquale Trimboli
WINEs ON LIST 200 (18 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($9-$23 by the glass)

Les Bistronomes

Cnr Mort & Elouera Sts, Braddon
(02) 6248 8119

lesbistronomes.net

CUISINE French
WINE LIST Abel Bariller
WINEs ON LIST 92 (17 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($8-$24 by the glass)

This French focused restaurant has an compact yet imaginative list that offers many everyday French wines that are not generally available in Australia – at least not on the one list. There's plenty of Aussie wines as well as international gems to extend the range of options.

Mezzalira

55 London Cct, Canberra City
(02) 6230 0025

mezzalira.com.au

CUISINE Italian
WINE LIST Pasquale Trimboli
WINEs ON LIST 300 (18 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($12-$23 by the glass)

An excellent list with outstanding diversity and quality. In line with the
restaurant's theme, there is an extensive collection of Italian wines, including top wines from Piemonte and Tuscany. There is also a very fine selection of Australian pinot noir and chardonnay from all the best areas. Local wines are given deserving attention, including a spotlight on
Clonakilla. Also good to see many reds with age.

Molto Italian

Element Building, Eastlake Pde, Kingston Foreshore
(02) 6140 7039

moltoitalian.com

CUISINE Italian
WINE LIST Carlo Tosolini
WINEs ON LIST 38 (19 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $ ($9-$22 by the glass)

A modern affordable list brimming with Italian wines. Plenty of snappy whites to match your crab linguini or rustic Italian reds for the pork cheek. Good to see a few local Canberra District wines as well. An easy-drinking selection by-the-glass including three Italian bubblies plus a small set of classic aperitivi and Italian beer.

Pod Food

12 Beltana Rd, Pialligo
(02) 6257 3388

podfood.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Samuel Kildea
WINEs ON LIST 144 (9 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($13-$16 by the glass)

A well-crafted list with an emphasis on fine wines from the Canberra District. There is a spotlight on Mount Majura, with a collection of current release and museum wines, plus entries from Clonakilla and Eden Road. There's also a thoughtful selection of interstate and international wine of diverse styles. A contemporary, well-balanced list that is a fitting companion to the stylish modern food.

Rubicon

6a Barker St, Griffith
(02) 6295 9919

rubiconrestaurant.com.au

CUISINE Contempoary European
WINE LIST Nick Bardot
WINEs ON LIST 577 (60 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($9-$35 by the glass)

Nestled in a classy suburban strip, this is the ultimate 'local' for a wine lover as it caters to every whim. There's a sensational listing 'by-the-glass
offering, including high-end wines served via the Coravin system. There is a smart selection of half bottles and a great spread of high-quality local wines. Sommelier Nick Bardot certainly has his finger on the pulse with plenty of contemporary selections, though there is also an extensive spread of worthy classics. Although you can find wines of the highest degree, including top Burgundies, the list's main attraction is the large number of well-chosen, well-priced wines, meaning that fine wining and dining need not cost the earth.

Australian Capital Territory Winner

Pialligo Estate

Pialligo Estate

Finalists

Italian & Sons

Muse

Glass-Rated

Aubergine

Avenue C Wine Co

Bar Rochford

Boat House (The)

Italian And Sons

Les Bistronomes

Mezzalira

Molto Italian

Pod Food

Rubicon

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