Melbourne's Society Crowned Australia's Wine List of the Year for 2026, Highlighting Industry Excellence and Regional Diversity

Melbourne's esteemed Society restaurant has been named Australia's Wine List of the Year for 2026, marking the 33rd annual celebration of the nation's finest wine programs. The prestigious award, announced on September 28, 2026, recognizes Society's comprehensive excellence in wine curation, continuing a trend of Victorian venues securing the top honor for the third consecutive year, following Circl in 2025 and Gimlet at Cavendish House in 2024. This accolade highlights the evolving landscape of Australian drinking culture, where world-class restaurants are increasingly celebrated for their sophisticated wine offerings.

Melbourne's Society Crowned Australia's Best Wine List for 2026

Society, a sophisticated CBD restaurant in Melbourne, secured the coveted title of Australia's Wine List of the Year for 2026. This top honor underscores the venue's exceptional commitment to wine excellence, a standard rigorously assessed by an expert panel. The award is a significant recognition within the Australian hospitality industry, shining a spotlight on the skillful sommeliers and restaurateurs who craft these distinguished lists. Society's triumph continues a notable trend, making it the third consecutive year that a Victorian establishment has claimed the nation's highest wine list accolade, demonstrating a consistent level of innovation and quality emerging from the state.

Judging Excellence: Criteria and Trends Shaping Top Wine Lists

The Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards are adjudicated by an expert panel comprising 15 domestic and international judges, including five Master Sommeliers and five Masters of Wine. This rigorous evaluation process is designed to identify venues that not only present an excellent menu of beverages but also demonstrate innovation and a willingness to exceed conventional expectations. Key judging criteria extend beyond the mere quantity or prestige of bottles, encompassing the content, balance, suitability, presentation, and pricing structure of a wine list. Judges meticulously assess how well a list is curated to complement the dining experience, ensuring it offers both depth and accessibility.

Beyond these foundational elements, the awards also consider the design and layout of the list, including its ability to tell a compelling story, and a venue's commitment to sustainability. A significant and recurring theme observed in the 2026 awards is a heightened interest in regionality. Judges actively seek wine lists, or specific sections within them, that provide a comprehensive insight into a particular wine region. The classiest regional lists, according to the judging panel, predominantly focus on the grape varieties that a region excels in, offering some of its finest vintages. This approach places local Australian wines within an international context, showcasing the nation's finest varietals, varietal blends, single-site expressions, and multi-regional blends. It also highlights the aging potential of Australian wines by offering more mature vintages, alongside presenting selections that offer excellent value for money across a range of prices.

Society's Unmatched Offerings and Multiple Accolades

Society's triumph as Australia's Wine List of the Year for 2026 is further amplified by its success in securing multiple additional accolades. The Melbourne establishment was also recognized with awards for Australia’s Best Capital City Dining Wine List, Best Wine List Victoria, and Australia’s Best List of Wines by the Glass. The collective expertise of its head sommeliers, Loïc Avril and Yuki Hirose MS, alongside sommelier Lee Sangyeop, was honored with the prestigious Judy Hirst Award, acknowledging their pivotal role in crafting the winning list and their contribution to the sommelier profession.

The wine list itself is celebrated for its innovative approach to both accessibility and depth, offering a unique experience for discerning patrons. It features rarities from esteemed international vineyards, such as Benjamin Leroux 1er Cru Meursault and Domaine de la Pousse d’Or Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses, which are uniquely available by taste, half-pour, or full glass. This flexible serving format allows guests to explore high-end and rare wines without committing to an entire bottle. For those seeking immediate and thoughtfully curated options, "The Shortlist" presents a hand-picked selection of well-priced, smaller producers alongside recognizable labels that consistently deliver exceptional value. Beyond these curated selections, the main list boasts a formidable collection of Dom Pérignon, a diverse array of grower Champagnes, and top Australian Chardonnay, with a particular emphasis on the wines of Victoria, complemented by an impressive and extensive selection of white Burgundy pages. This comprehensive and thoughtfully structured list exemplifies the criteria of content, balance, innovation, and value that judges seek.

Regional and Category Winners Showcase Diversity

Beyond the overall winner, the 2026 Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards celebrated a diverse array of venues across various categories and regions, reflecting the breadth of excellence in Australia's hospitality industry. These awards highlight the exceptionally high standard of wine lists found throughout the country, from bustling city restaurants to charming regional pubs.

Altitude Restaurant, associated with Gibney in Perth, was honored with the Best Hotel Wine List award, recognizing its outstanding wine program within a hotel setting. The Crafers Hotel in South Australia earned recognition for the Best Pub Dining Wine List, demonstrating that even casual dining establishments can achieve world-class wine curation. Junction Moama in New South Wales was celebrated for its Best Regional Wine List, underscoring the growing importance of regional focus in wine programs.

State and territory winners further illustrated this widespread excellence: The Boat House in Barton received the award for Best Wine List ACT, Shell House Dining Room & Terrace in Sydney was recognized for Best Wine List NSW, Otto in Brisbane claimed Best Wine List Queensland, and 2KW in South Australia was awarded Best Wine List SA. These regional accolades ensure that top-tier wine experiences are acknowledged across the nation, providing a guide for consumers seeking quality in their local areas.

Gibney's Distinctive Western Australian Focus

Gibney in Perth received significant commendation in the 2026 awards, securing both the Best Digestif List and the prestigious Best Listing of Western Australian Wines – The Peter Forrestal Award. This dual recognition underscores Gibney's commitment to a comprehensive beverage program and its exceptional focus on regional wines, aligning with the judges' emphasis on regionality.

The venue's wine list is particularly noted for its massive selection of Western Australian labels, offering a deep dive into the distinctive wine styles of the region. This extensive collection includes multiple vintages of many wines, providing guests with opportunities to explore the evolution of local expressions. A practical and appealing feature is the compendium of half bottles, offering flexibility for diners. A standout and unique offering is Gibney's "exquisite champagne library," which comes complete with a helpful index, providing a specialized and extensive selection for sparkling wine enthusiasts. Judges praised the list for fostering an environment where guests can relax and place their trust in the sommelier team, led by Nina Throsby, highlighting that the exceptional service and knowledgeable guidance are as integral to the experience as the impressive selection itself.