Background

Tassie’s Top Wine Lists Announced & New Wine Trails Released

The winners of the 2025 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year awards were announced today, with the highest accolade – the Judges' Choice Award for the Best Tasmanian Wine List – being awarded to Launceston dining institution Stillwater.

Category winners were also announced, with Stillwater collecting another award (Best Tasmanian Wine List - Hobart or Launceston), Stanley Wine Bar being recognised by both the judges and the public (Best Tasmanian Small Bar Wine List and People's Choice Tasmanian Wine List) and The Branch Swansea (Best Tasmanian Wine List - Regional). Black Cow Bistro was highly commended by the judges for its wine list.

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies congratulated all the award winners as well as each of the finalist venues (listed below).

"The record number of 16 finalists reflects the high quality of wine lists featuring local wines from around the island. We are delighted to see the significant efforts our hospitality venues are making to highlight, promote and support Tasmanian wines."

"We know that people are travelling to Tasmania specifically to experience our exceptional wines and that our wine tourists are staying longer, spending more and travelling into our regional areas to visit cellar doors. Being able to enjoy a glass of Tassie wine over a meal is great for both our visitors and supportive locals."

Wine Tasmania also welcomed a new awards judge in 2025, with journalist Nola James replacing journalist Winsor Dobbin, thanking them both for their voluntary contribution. Nola, who is Hobart based, is a sub-editor for T: The New Times Style Magazine Australia and contributor to titles such as National Geographic, Decanter, Halliday Wine Companion, RACT Journeys, Delicious and the Good Food Guide.

Wine Tasmania also released the new 2026 edition of its Tasmanian Wine Trails publication. This brochure, concierge map and accompanying online directory serves as the go-to guide for visiting Tasmania’s cellar doors along the North-West, Tamar Valley, East Coast and Southern Wine Trails.

Wine Tasmania is encouraging locals and visitors to put the Tasmanian Wine List of the Year venues, cellar doors and experiences showcased in the 2026 Tasmanian Wine Trails publication on the bucket list.

2025 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year award winners:

  • Judges’ Choice Best Tasmanian Wine List: Stillwater
  • Judges’ Choice Best Tasmanian Wine List - Hobart/Launceston: Stillwater (highly commended: Black Cow Bistro)
  • Judges’ Choice Best Tasmanian Small Wine Bar List: Stanley Wine Bar
  • Judges’ Choice Best Tasmanian Regional Wine List: The Branch Swansea
  • People’s Choice Best Tasmanian Wine List: Stanley Wine Bar

2025 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year finalists (listed alphabetically):

  • Black Cow Bistro (Launceston), Driftwood Restaurant (Lauderdale), Grain of the Silos (Invermay), Harvest and Light (Geeveston), Hellyers Restaurant at Discovery Resorts Cradle Mountain (Cradle Mountain), Lost Captain Restaurant & Taphouse (Huonville), Mures Upper Deck (Hobart), Peppina (Hobart), Piermont (Swansea), Stanley Wine Bar (Stanley), Stillwater (Launceston), The Branch Swansea (Swansea), The Old Bank of Geeveston (Geeveston), The Whaler (Battery Point), Urban Greek (Hobart) and WunderBar & Restaurant (Hobart).

Copies of the 2026 Wine Trails brochure and A3 concierge map can be picked up from cellar doors and visitor information centres around the state. Alternatively, copies can be requested by contacting Wine Tasmania on mail@winetasmania.net.au. The online Wine Trails can be accessed at https://winetasmania.com.au/wine-trails.