The top category winners in our 2023 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards were announced on Tuesday night (27 June) at NSW Parliament House. Over the last five years, these awards have shone a light on great NSW-based sommeliers and venues and outstanding wine lists that support local and highlight the quality and diversity of the great wines of NSW.

With the support of the NSW Government, NSW Wine delivers a range of initiatives to promote NSW wines, increase awareness of our 16 regions and ensure that NSW wines are well represented on the wine lists in our home state. At Tuesday’s event, NSW Wine also launched its new branding (to reflect the new depth, breadth and strength of the NSW wine industry) and announced the founding of the NSW Parliament Friends of Grape Growers; a cross-party group co-Chaired by Clayton Barr MP (LAB), Dave Layzell MP (NAT) and Phil Donato MP (IND) which provides a regular opportunity for the NSW wine industry to meet with its Ministers, local members and other elected officials.

2023 saw no less than forty-two NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards Finalists (a record number) up for the top trophies and titles in each of the eight categories. And the winners are …

2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW venue (<60 seats) - Pete Cutcliffe + Jen Paquet from Bill Fishhouse + Bar, Port Macquarie

This was a very strong category, with no less than 7 very high scoring finalists from 7 different NSW wine regions, highlighting the quality food & wine experiences that are available right across our state. Pete and Jen win an exclusive trip around the exciting Orange wine region, including accommodation, a food and wine matching experience and a range of expertly guided winery tours.

2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW venue (>61 seats) - Louella Matthews from Bar NSW at The Lookout Echo Point, Blue Mountains

Louella’s list pipped the others to the post with 100% NSW wines. Louella and Bar NSW each receive a state-of-the-art Coravin wine preservation system.

2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW accommodation venue -     Andres Aragon from Blaq at The Kyah Hotel, Blue Mountains

The Accommodation category showcases those that work so hard in accommodation venues to provide a great service and also support local producers. Blaq collects this trophy for the second year in a row. Andres 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.

2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue (<60 seats) - Angelica Nohra from The Blue Door, Surry Hills

This is also the second time that The Blue Door has been successful in this category. This year’s list was described by judges as "all in for NSW wines”.  Angelica and The Blue Door each receive a state-of-the-art Coravin wine preservation system.

2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue (>61seats) - Piers Haszard from Botswana Butchery, Sydney

Up against some of the most famous wine lists in Sydney, after much deliberation, a relative newcomer claimed the crown in this category with a wine list that scored strongly in not only quality, quantity and variety but also perfectly matched a great local menu. Botswana Butchery wins an indulgent trip around the stunning Canberra District wine region, including accommodation, a food and wine matching experience and a range of expertly guided winery tours.

2023 Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney accommodation venue - Vincenzo Sanna  from Atelier by Sofitel, Sydney

Another very strong category. The judges pulled Vincenzo to the top due to a wine list they described as an “impressive list … committed to featuring NSW wines”. Atelier receives a bespoke glass consultation, specifically tailored to their venue, and a $2000 premium glass fit out from RIEDEL.

2023 Best NSW Wine List by a Caterer or in a Functions venue - William Wilson from ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour

This is a new category this year, brought in to recognise caterers and function venues, including cultural venues such as museums & libraries. Will 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.

2023 NSW Wine President’s Award for Outstanding Support of the NSW Wine Industry - Matt Underwood from The Newcastle Club, Newcastle

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. When describing The Newcastle Club Mark commented, “they have an extraordinary international winelist, extraordinary service and attention to detail, a wide breadth of NSW wine regions and an impressive 82 NSW wines on their list, which must make them one of the largest NSW wine lists in Australia.”

The Newcastle Club wins complimentary entry into the 2023 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and Matt gets an exclusive and delicious mixed-case of award winning NSW wines.

2023 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year  ~  Piers Haszard from Botswana Butchery, Sydney

Many congratulations to Piers and the team at Botswana Butchery who claimed the overall winners title of ‘2023 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year’! They receive complimentary entry into the 2023 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and a bespoke consultation with industry expert Dane Richards to gain invaluable advice about the restaurant reviewing process.

Many congratulations to all and thank you for supporting the wines of NSW.