Australia’s best wine lists have been announced for 2026 – here’s how Queensland stacked up
Earlier this week, restaurant operators, bar owners and sommeliers gathered for the annual Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. This year, numerous venues were recognised for their curated selections, with a host of Queensland venues standing out thanks to the breadth and depth of their respective lists. Read on to see who was recognised …
Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards (think of them as the Oscars for oenophiles) are an important program for the hospitality industry. For restaurants, bars and cafes, earning one of the major awards – or scoring a coveted One, Two or Three Glass Rating – can help set the venue apart in the eyes of connoisseurs.
In 2026, a bunch of Queensland venues were recognised – with a mix of old faces and newcomers earning kudos from the Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards judging panel.
OTTO Brisbane took home the award for Queensland’s Best Wine List, with judges applauding sommelier Amanda Yallop for curating a deep and varied 400-bottle list showcasing outstanding wines sourced predominantly from Italy’s top regions.
James Street’s Cru Bar + Cellar was awarded Australia’s Best Sparkling Wine List, with sommeliers Chris Walker and Annetta Hunter praised for building a gargantuan list with no weak links. Cru Bar also scored the award for Australia’s Best Listing of New Zealand Wines, while Eagle Street institution Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events earned a nod for Australia’s Best Listing of Queensland Wines.
When it came to the prestigious Glass Rankings, Queensland venues more than proved their worth.
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Three Glass recipients in Brisbane included Agnes Restaurant (which was also inducted into the State Award Winners Hall of Fame), Aloria, Blackbird Bar, Dining & Events, Cru Bar + Cellar, Donna Chang, Fountainhead Winehouse, Hellenika, La Lune Wine Co, Maeve, Marlowe, Montrachet, Moo Moo The Wine Bar and Grill, Mosconi, OTTO Brisbane, Rosmarino, sAme sAme, SK Steak & Oyster, Sono, Stanley, Supernormal Brisbane, Sushi Room, The 203, The Fifty Six, The French Exit, The Reserve Wine Bar, Walter’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar, and Yoko.
On the Gold Coast, Three Glasses were awarded to Eddy + Wolff, Kiyomi, Nineteen at the Star, Social Eating House + Bar, T’ang Court, The Tropic and Yamagen Japanese. Further across Queensland, venues like Fish House Steak & Grill, Lucio’s Marina, Spicers Peak Lodge, Bella Venezia, CC’s Bar & Grill by Crystalbrook, Cibaria Noosa, Sails Restaurant Noosa also earned Three Glasses.
“Despite recent challenges, our restaurant sector has great energy, with fabulous wine and beverage lists compiled by confident, knowledgeable sommeliers,” says chair of judges Toni Paterson MW.
“The best lists are showing greater support for Australian wines, including those from their home state, which is heartening, especially when local wines represent excellent value, are better than ever, and offer great style and varietal diversity.”
Head to the Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards website to see the full list of award-winning venues.
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