Best Apertif List

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Rockpool Bar & Grill

66 Hunter St, Sydney
(02) 8078 1900


rockpoolbarandgrill.com.au

CUISINE Steakhouse
WINE LIST Richard Healy
WINEs ON LIST 2732 (60 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($10-$350 by the glass)

The impressive collection of libations at Rockpool Bar & Grill is thoroughly deserving of Best Aperitif List. Insightful notes are knowledgeably and joyfully compiled to accompany a vast range of specialty spirits that span the globe. Seasonal cocktails are thoughtfully curated with an array of flavours. With a strong showing of pastis and amari, aperitivo hour certainly calls for a taste of Neil Perry’s favourite Italian sour. Martini mavens will delight in the range of gin, aromatised wine and vermouth, while seekers of the exotic can dive into Caribbean rum, tequila or Peruvian pisco. 

For those with a fondness for Scotch, a remarkable array of warming drams from the Highlands, Lowlands and Islay awaits. Look out for rare editions from Port Ellen and Ladyburn. They are joined by Tasmanian, Irish, French, Canadian and Tennessee styles. Whatever your fancy, this treasure trove is guaranteed to please. Louise Radman 

Finalists

Apothecary 1878

118 Hindley St, Adelaide 
(08) 8212 9099


theapothecary1878.com.au

CUISINE European
WINE LIST Paola Coro
WINEs ON LIST 500+ (34 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($8-$22 by the glass)

Apothecary has not rested on its laurels, and for this owner/sommelier, Paola Coro is to be congratulated.  It is a fine list, championing stunning local wines from South Australia's best producers. However, Coro has a keen eye on what is happening in the rest of Australia, as well as New Zealand, with thoughtful inclusions.  What excites me the most is the lists' slow evolution, with a breadth of styles and vintages, so you can delight in combing through to discover a forgotten favourite with bottle age.  There are some new wave wines to satisfy the curious plus plenty of respected and trusted names to give comfort.  As for international wines, there are many well-priced options.  There's an excellent cellar of half bottles, plus numerous wines by-the-glass, and the aperitif/digestive selection is seemingly endless.

De Vine Food & Wine

32 Market St, Sydney
 (02) 9262 6906


devinefoodandwine.com.au

CUISINE Italian/ Mediterranean
WINE LIST Julian Izzillo
WINEs ON LIST 500 (40 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($11-$25 by the glass)

The wines of the Mediterranean – Italy, Spain and France, in particular – all come out to play on this delightful wine list. Sure, there might be grapes you've not heard of before like grenache blanc and monastrell but that's the joy of this list. It's not made up of the usual suspects and there are plenty of discoveries to be made. With 40 wines by the glass you could easily take a trip around the world, and what a pleasure it is to see vermouth and sherry elevated in status and given prominence.

CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS: Apothecary 1878 remains among the finest places to enjoy an aperitif: cocktails to delight, a clever range of beers and ciders, exhilarating Champagne, and an outrageous collection of gin. De Vine makes a feature of cocktails, vermouth from different Italian regions, beers and Champagne. 

Australia's
Wine List
of the Year
Awards

Wine List of the Year
Judy Hirst Award
Best City Restaurant

EST. NSW
bhatia dheeraj

The Tony Hitchin Award
(Best New List)

BISTECCA, NSW

Best Small Wine List
(50 Wines)

CONGRESS, VIC

Best Small Wine List
(100 Wines)

INSTITUT POLAIRE, TAS

Best List of Wines By the Glass

Bentley Restaurant + Bar, NSW

Best Food & Wine
Matching List

Momofuku Seiōbo, NSW

Best Listing Of Australian Wines

CAFE SYDNEY, NSW

Best Listing of a Region's Wines

STILLWATER, TAS

Best Club Restaurant List

NEWCASTLE CLUB, NSW

Best Country Restaurant List

THE BARN STEAKHOUSE, SA

Best Hotel Restaurant List

Bert’s Bar & Brasserie, NSW

Best Pub Restaurant List

MAyfair lane, wa

Best Wine Bar List

DEAR SAINTE ÉLOISE, NSW

Best Aperitif List

Banksii Vermouth Bar & Bistro, NSW

Best Digestif List

Bentley Restaurant + Bar, NSW

Best Beer List

The Avoca, VIC

Best Champagne List

QUAY, NSW

Best Sparkling Wine List

Melbourne Supper Club, VIC

Best Non-Alcoholic List

ATTICA, VIC

Best Wine List ACT

Mezzalira

Best Wine List NSW

EST.

Best Wine List NT

STONE HOUSE

Best Wine List QLD

OTTO BRISBANE

Best Wine List SA

THE BARN STEAKHOUSE

Best Wine List TAS

TERRACE LAUNCESTON

Best Wine List VIC

CUTLER & Co.

Best Wine List WA

SETTLERS TAVERN

Readers' Choice Award

MUSE, ACT

Sommeliers' Choice

Bridget Raffal, SIXPENNY

Hall of Fame