The search is on for Tassie’s best local wine lists!

Tasmania is home to a vibrant wine and food culture well versed in advocating its world-renowned produce. Led by representative body Wine Tasmania, the search is now on for Tasmania’s best wine list championing the island’s exceptional wines in 2025.

Now in its eighth year, nominations are open for the 2025 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year program and all Tasmanian venues proudly showcasing the island’s wine are encouraged to enter the awards program. Restaurant, bars, cafes, pubs and wine retailers across the island – urban and regional – will contest five category prizes as well as the overall award.

While entries in the awards program come from far and wide, the winner of the Tasmanian Wine List of the Year title has been awarded to a Launceston venue for the past three years, with fine dining institution Black Cow Bistro taking out the top honours in 2024. Appropriately named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2021, it remains to be seen whether the title of Best Tasmania Wine List will stay in Launceston again in 2025!

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies said: “Tasmania’s reputation for producing some of the best wine in the world is continuing to draw visitors to the island. In the 12 months to March 2025, 21% of visitors to the state stopped in at a cellar door*, a clear sign that wine tourism is playing a central role in regional travel. These wine-loving travellers stayed longer and spent 1.5 times more than other visitors and, along with our supportive locals, are heading into our regional areas and exploring our local dining and wining spots.”

“Our local hospitality and wine retail venues play a huge role in sharing the stories of the places and people behind the wine. That’s exactly what the Tasmanian Wine List of the Year program aims to celebrate - the venues that go the extra mile to promote Tassie wine and connect guests with the heart of our island’s food and wine culture.”

Four key award categories in the Tasmanian Wine List of the Year program recognise venues in Launceston, Hobart and regional areas, in addition to a category focused on small but high-quality wine lists. The overall Judges’ Choice award is then chosen from these four winners, while the People’s Choice award - increasing in participation each year - will invite the public to vote for their favourite venue from a list of finalists.

Tasmanian on-premise and off-premise licensed venues of all sizes are encouraged to nominate at winetasmania.com.au/wloty by 3 October 2025. Finalists will be announced on 15 October and the People’s Choice voting campaign will commence at this time, with all the winners scheduled to be announced in mid-November.

* Tourism Tasmania’s Tourism Visitor Survey, March 2025

Home page image: Stoney Rise Vineyard, credit Tourism Tasmania & Nat Mendham