The NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards, run by the NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW Wine), is now in its fourth year of showcasing and rewarding the very best ‘NSW Wine Stars’. A ‘NSW Wine Star’ is a sommelier, beverage manager or venue that offers their customers a great NSW wine experience and a range of delicious local wines that highlight the quality and diversity of wines being produced in NSW.

This year, a record number of entries submitted their wine lists into the Awards from across the state. After much diligent evaluation by judges Dane Richards (Editor News for the Food Lover and President NSW Bailliage of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs) and Mark Baulderstone (MD Riedel Spiegelau Nachtmann Australia), NSW Wine is delighted to announce 42 finalists in the 2023 NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards.

Many congratulations to the sommeliers / bar managers at the following venues, who are all now 2023 #NSWWineStars!

Avalon Restaurant, Katoomba

BAR NSW, Lookout at Echo Point

Bells Boutique Hotel, Killcare

Bills Fishhouse + Bar, Port Macquarie

Blaq Restaurant at The Kyah, Blackheath

Botanica, Pokolbin   

Bowral Bowling Club, Bowral

Bull & Bell Steakhouse, Griffith

Charred Kitchen and Bar, Orange

Esca Restaurant, Pokolbin

Eschalot Restaurant, Berrima                                         

Glass Bistro, Mittagong

QT Newcastle

Rustica, Newcastle Beach

Singleton Diggers, Singleton

SOUTH on Albany, Berry

The Newcastle Club, Newcastle

The Quarry Restaurant, Cowra

The Zin House, Mudgee

Whitney's Restaurant at The Remington, Orange

Altitude at the Shangri-La, Sydney

Atelier by Sofitel, Sydney

Bar Lucia, Sydney

Bennelong Restaurant, Sydney

Black Bar & Grill, Sydney

Boilerhouse, Sydney

Botswana Butchery, Sydney

Dead Ringer, Sydney                                                             

Dixson & Sons, Sydney                                                         

Esca Restaurant, Pokolbin

Flying Fish, Sydney

Bibo Wine Bar, Sydney

Glass Brasserie at The Hilton, Sydney

Gowings at QT Sydney

Infinity, Sydney

International Convention Centre Sydney

Me-Gal, Sydney

Ploos Restaurant, Sydney

Public Dining Room, Sydney

Quay, Sydney

Tattersalls Club, Sydney

The Blue Door Surry Hills, Sydney

Woodcut, Sydney

The finalists will all receive promotional material to help share the great news and they are all now in the running for one of the main trophies, along with some great prizes including:

• Exclusive food and wine trips to some of NSW's best wine regions
• Free entry into Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards
• Coravin Pivot wine preservation systems
• A drinks glass consultation plus a $2000 premium glass fit out from RIEDEL

The top 2023 winners in each of the 8 categories, along with the 2023 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year, will be announced at a prestigious event at Parliament House Sydney in June/July this year.