Tasmania Winner

Stillwater

Stillwater

2 Bridge Rd, Launceston, Tas 
(03) 6331 4153


stillwater.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Jim Welsh
WINEs ON LIST 182 (15 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$

Stillwater takes a deep dive, literally, into everything Tasmanian, and it really impresses. What is so positive about the food and wine selection is that, not only is the local economy supported, but visitors get a meaningful experience of what is most remarkable from this region.

Arras sparkling takes pride of place, as it should, being the closest thing Australia has to rival Champagne. The list also highlights all sorts of aromatic, cool-climate whites. There’s a superb selection of delicacies from the likes of Brian and Stoney Rise, to the more serious and complex offerings from Tolpuddle, Pooley and Dr Edge.

And any mainlander will certainly be in awe of the impressive Tasmanian distillers on show with a heart-starting array of six gins, three vodkas and seven whiskies, available in your choice of three 15mls flights.

A compact and exemplary selection of 182 listings, Stillwater certainly knows how to pack a punch. Sophie otton

Finalists

Black Cow Bistro

70 George St, Launceston, Tas
(03) 6331 9333


blackcowbistro.com.au

CUISINE Steakhouse
WINE LIST Jim Welsh
WINEs ON LIST 154 (11 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($27-$11 by the glass)

Black Cow is proudly Tasmanian whether it's sourcing Robbins Island wagyu steak from North-West Tasmania, a local botanical-based gin or a fine riesling or pinot noir. This year, four local shirazes are added to the list. The full bounty of Tassie wines and produce is celebrated here, and is to be congratulated. That said, the wine list is balanced by wines well-suited to the steakhouse menu, and in 154 wines, takes a broad international approach to sourcing. Prices are fair, value is assured.

Kwan Ho

410 Sandy Bay Rd, Hobart, Tas
(03) 6225 7888

kwanho.com.au

CUISINE Cantonese
WINE LISTDamien Byrne / Louise Liu
WINEs ON LIST 250 (14 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$11 by the glass)

Diners to Kwan Ho are in for a most pleasant surprise. As the newly-launched sister restaurant to Me Wah, it enjoys access to the award-winning, Me Wah wine list. With it comes a collection of DRC, top Bordeaux houses, Penfolds Grange back to 1983 and other vinous heavyweights. The essence of the list, however, is Tasmanian with a delightful mix of pioneers, the cutting edge and emerging stars listed. Sparklings, chardonnays and pinot noirs, diverse in style, show the depth of the state's wine industry.

Glass-Rated

Black Cow Bistro

70 George St, Launceston, Tas
(03) 6331 9333


blackcowbistro.com.au

CUISINE Steakhouse
WINE LIST Jim Welsh
WINEs ON LIST 154 (11 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($27-$11 by the glass)

Black Cow is proudly Tasmanian whether it's sourcing Robbins Island wagyu steak from North-West Tasmania, a local botanical-based gin or a fine riesling or pinot noir. This year, four local shirazes are added to the list. The full bounty of Tassie wines and produce is celebrated here, and is to be congratulated. That said, the wine list is balanced by wines well-suited to the steakhouse menu, and in 154 wines, takes a broad international approach to sourcing. Prices are fair, value is assured.

Institut Polaire

1/7 Murray St, Hobart, Tas
0432 925 895

institutpolaire.com.au

CUISINE Modern Wine Bar / Local
WINE LIST Louise Radman
WINEs ON LIST 100 (20 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($18-$12 by the glass)

New to Hobart, Institut Polaire bursts upon the scene with a smart, thought-provoking wine list of just 100 wines. All are from quality, small makers, which puts the owner of the bar – Domaine Simha – in excellent company. Its spirit arm, Sud Polaire, plays a similar role in the spirits and cocktail department. While a showcase for its own products, the wine list nevertheless bristles with must-try names: Egly Ouriet Champagne, Keller riesling, Millton chenin blanc,  Burn Cottage pinot noir and more. Tassie pinots get their own category. And, "The Riesling To Die For" is exactly that.

Kwan Ho

410 Sandy Bay Rd, Hobart, Tas
(03) 6225 7888

kwanho.com.au

CUISINE Cantonese
WINE LISTDamien Byrne / Louise Liu
WINEs ON LIST 250 (14 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$ ($15-$11 by the glass)

Diners to Kwan Ho are in for a most pleasant surprise. As the newly-launched sister restaurant to Me Wah, it enjoys access to the award-winning, Me Wah wine list. With it comes a collection of DRC, top Bordeaux houses, Penfolds Grange back to 1983 and other vinous heavyweights. The essence of the list, however, is Tasmanian with a delightful mix of pioneers, the cutting edge and emerging stars listed. Sparklings, chardonnays and pinot noirs, diverse in style, show the depth of the state's wine industry.

Me Wah Hobart

16 Magnet Crt, Sandy Bay, Tas
(03) 6223 3688


mewah.com.au

CUISINE Cantonese
WINE LIST Damien Byrne / Stephen Tso
WINEs ON LIST 500 (24 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($48-$12 by the glass)

A sophisticated, internally relevant wine list with an impressive selection of high-quality wine.  A stylish selection by the glass with a deserving focus on Tasmania, as well as a premium selection via Coravin.  The main list, organised by variety, is extraordinary and presents a learned collection of global wine.  Chardonnay and pinot noir are real highlights, especially the impressive collection of Burgundy, including a high-end set of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.  There is also a sweep of prestigious Bordeaux, of the kind rarely seen in Australia.  This stunning compendium of wine, combined with the spectacular Cantonese food, makes Me-Wah in Hobart an unmissable dining experience when visiting, or residing in, Tasmania.

Me Wah Lauceston

39-41 Invermay Rd, Launceston, Tas
‍(03) 6331 1308

mewah.com.au/launceston

CUISINE Chinese
WINE LIST Damien Byrne / Stephen Tso
WINEs ON LIST 250 (11 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($14-$9 by the glass)

A curated list a beautiful thing.  Me-Wah in Launceston has done the hard work for its diners, whittling out the chaff and presenting a subset of fine wine.  As expected, the focus is on Tasmania, with the addition of select interstate and international accents to add interest and complexity.  I applaud the wines-by-the-glass (bar one shiraz) being Tasmanian.  And it is great to see the local wines standing proudly next to mainland and international examples in the by-the-bottle list.  The collection climbs high with a selection of Domaine de la Romanée Conti and a vertical of Penfolds Grange.  An outstanding list where wine lovers can't go wrong.

The Source At MONA

655 Main Rd, Berriedale, Tas
(03) 6277 9904


mona.net.au

CUISINE Modern Tasmanian
WINE LIST Pip Anderson / Ilo Pilve
WINEs ON LIST 1,950 (19 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($29-$11 by the glass)

Got a minute? You're going to need it, and more, as you work your way through the 1950-strong wine list at The Source. Tasmanian produce is the star here from beers, gins and whiskies through to the stellar sparklings, rieslings, chardonnays and pinot noirs. Moorilla Estate and Domaine A are owned by MONA's David Walsh, and back vintages are especially well-priced. But this is also a list with the bigger picture always in mind, delving into the world of the individual, the iconoclast, the quirky and the classic makers from Australia and all parts of the compass. An epic, exciting tour de force awaits.

Stillwater

2 Bridge Rd, Launceston, Tas
‍(03) 6331 4153

stillwater.com.au

CUISINE Modern Australian
WINE LIST Jimmy Welsh
WINEs ON LIST 182 (15 by the glass)
WINE PRICES $$$ ($35-12 by the glass)

Here is a love letter to Tasmania, a crazy, inspired kind of love from the inclusion of 10 local gins and flights of single malt, to a drop-dead collection of the isle's best sparklings – 21 of them – and a delectable trawl through top-flight chardonnays and pinot noirs. There's more, but should you wish for a breather, long-time wine man and co-owner, James Welsh, has assembled an at times daring bunch of Aussies and Europeans. Maybe a Jura savagnin, a Heathcote sagrantino or a couple of Rockford shirazes from the 1990s?

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