On Tuesday 7 June, the top winners in the 2022 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards, run by the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW Wine), were announced at a presentation event held at Parliament House Sydney.
These awards acknowledge venues within NSW that have an outstanding wine list. In particular, a wine list that supports the quality and diversity of the great wines of NSW. Over the last few years, these awards have shone a light on a number of great sommeliers and venues. Through the support of the NSW Government, and particularly through the Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2021, the NSW Wine industry is working hard to ensure that NSW wines are well represented on the wine lists in our home state.
A fantastic range of wine lists were entered into the Awards by talented Sommeliers and Bar Managers from across the state this year, and it was a difficult process to whittled down the 35 Finalists to the top winners in each of the 8 categories.
And the winners are …
2022 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW venue (<40 seats)
Renee Wallace from Birch Restaurant, Moss Vale
This was a very strong category, with 4 very high scoring finalists from 4 different NSW wine regions, highlighting the quality food & wine experiences that are available right across our state. Out of the 4 finalists, The Quarry Restaurant from Cowra, the Zin House from Mudgee, South on Albany from Berry in the Shoalhaven wine region and Birch Restaurant from Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands wine region, it was Renee from Birch that claims the crown, with a list described by the judges as “Incredible for a smaller restaurant”. Renee and Birch Restaurant will each receive an amazing Coravin Pivot wine preservation system.
2022 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW venue (>41 seats)
David Collins from Charred Kitchen & Bar, Orange
The largest category of finalists, again highlighting the quality in regional NSW, and giving the judges a tough job. In the end, the title went to David at Charred for a wine list described as “an ambassador for NSW wines”. David and Charred will also receive 2 Coravin Pivot wine preservation systems.
2022 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW accommodation venue
Andres Aragon from Blaq at The Kyah Hotel, Blackheath
The Accommodation category showcases those that work so hard in accommodation venues to provide a great service and also support local producers. Andres’s list was described by the judge as “On point. A list that proudly explores NSW Wines by regions”. Andres and Blaq Restaurant win an exclusive consultation with Dane Richards from Gault & Millau to gain invaluable advice about the restaurant reviewing process.
2022 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue (<40 seats)
Angelica Nohra from The Blue Door, Surry Hills
After a challenging few years, Sydney’s small restaurant scene is back in full swing and it was exciting to see some great entries in this category. The judges described The Blue Door’s wine list as a “really comprehensive, well[1]thought-out list with great descriptions and commitment to NSW.” Angelica’s list wins automatic entry into the 2022 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards.
2022 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue (>41seats)
William Wilson from ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour
Another big category with many strong finalists, including venues such as bibo wine bar, Botswana Butchery, Public Dining Room and Quay. After much deliberation, William’s list was awarded the trophy. William wins an indulgent trip around the exciting Canberra District wine region, including accommodation, a food and wine matching experience and a range of expertly guided winery tours.
2022 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney accommodation venue
Samantha Belt from QT Sydney
Last year’s overall winner came from a Sydney accommodation venue so we were expecting great things from this category and we weren’t disappointed. The finalist at QT Sydney, TWR at Crown Sydney and the Boilerhouse at Q Station all showcasing great wine list. The judges pulled Samantha to the top due to a wine list they described as a “very comprehensive and well thought out list by a venue that has made a significant investment in wine”. Samantha wins an immersion trip around the stunning Orange wine region, including accommodation, a food and wine matching experience and a range of expertly guided winery tours.
2022 Best NSW Wine List in a Club venue
Matt Underwood from The Newcastle Club, Newcastle
This was a brand new category this year,to recognise and reward the amazing Club venues out there that provide quality hospitality to such a large, diverse range of customers and are very supportive of their local winemakers and producers. The Bowral Bowling Club, Tattersalls Club Sydney and Singletons Diggers all deserve a mention but a worthy congratulations to Matt and his team for claiming the title. Matt wins an exclusive trip around the wonderful Mudgee wine region, including accommodation, a food and wine matching experience and a range of expertly guided winery tours.
2022 NSW Wine President’s Award for Outstanding Support of the NSW Wine Industry
Kylie Byron from Whitney’s at The Remington, Orange
This is a special award presented at the discretion of the President of the NSW Wine Industry Association, Mark Bourne, and given to someone that has shown real commitment to showcasing the wines from NSW. Mark commented, “I congratulate Kylie and her team at Whitney’s for crafting a venue and dining experience that reflects the quality and diversity of regional NSW through a list of 100% NSW wines expertly paired with local seasonal produce and delivered by exceptional service”. Kylie wins a trip around the birth-place of Australian wine, the Hunter Valley, including accommodation, a food and wine matching experience and a range of expertly guided winery tours and gains automatic entry into the 2022 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards.
2022 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year ~ Angelica Nohra from The Blue Door, Surry Hills
Many congratulations to Angelia and the team at The Blue Door who claimed the overall winners title of ‘2022 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year’ with nearly 100% of its wine list made up of NSW wines! Our main winner receives a bespoke glass consultation, specifically tailored to their venue, and a $2000 premium glass fit out from RIEDEL.
Congratulations to all the finalists and top winners, and a big thank you for supporting the wines of NSW.
2022 #NSWWineStars:
Annata Restaurant, Sydney
Avalon Restaurant, Katoomba
Banco Manly, Sydney
Bangalay Dining, Shoalhaven Heads
Bells at Killcare, Killcare Heights
Berida Hotel, Bowral
bibo wine bar, Sydney
Bills Fishhouse and Bar, Port Macquarie
Birch, Moss Vale
Blaq at The Kyah Boutique Hotel, Blackheath
Boilerhouse at Q Station, Sydney
Botswana Butchery, Sydney
Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral
Bull & Bell Steakhouse, Griffith
Charred Kitchen & Bar, Orange
Eremo, Pokolbin
Esca Restaurant, Pokolbin
International Convention Centre, Sydney
Love, Tilly Devine, Sydney
Mode Kitchen and Bar, Sydney
O Bar and Dining, Sydney
Public Dining Room, Sydney
QT Sydney Hotel, Sydney
Quay Restaurant, Sydney
Rydges Armidale, Armidale
Singleton Diggers – York St, Singleton
South on Albany, Berry
Tattersalls Club, Sydney
The Blue Door, Sydney
The Newcastle Club, Newcastle
The Quarry Restaurant, Cowra
The Waiting Room (TWR) at Crown, Sydney
The Zin House, Mudgee
Whitney’s Restaurant & Bar, Orange
Zecca Handmade Italian, Griffith