Tasmania's Wine List of the Year is back in 2026!

Wine Tasmania is once again searching for local venues championing the island’s outstanding wines, with nominations now open for the 2026 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year.

Tasmania makes some pretty exceptional wine. But growing and making it is only part of the story – someone still needs to put it on the list, get it into the glass and tell people why it’s worth drinking.

Now in its ninth year, the awards recognise the restaurants, bars, pubs, cafes and wine retailers going above and beyond to showcase Tasmanian wine – from carefully considered little lists to serious cellars packed with island-grown goodness.

And this year, there are three particularly well-qualified people casting their eyes over them.

The 2026 program will introduce three new stars to judge entries alongside Wine Tasmania - Curly Haslam-Coates, Cassandra Camerer-Charlick and Nola James, bringing together extensive experience across wine education, hospitality, journalism, judging and – importantly – the art of knowing a very good wine list when they see one.

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies said the awards celebrate something that can be easy to underestimate – the role hospitality and retail teams play in connecting people with Tasmanian wine.

“A great Tasmanian wine list doesn’t need to be large or complex. It’s about a considered local wine selection, aligned to the venue’s offering, and the willingness to share the stories behind those wines,” Ms Davies said.

“Our restaurants, bars, pubs and wine retailers are very important ambassadors for Tasmanian wine. They introduce people to well-known and lesser-known wine producers, recommend wines for every choice and palate, share the story of each wine and, ultimately, help people form a much deeper connection with this place.”

“We’re delighted to welcome Curly, Cassandra and Nola to join our judging panel in 2026. They bring an extraordinary breadth of wine, hospitality, education and communication experience to help select the finalists and winning venues this year.”

The awards return following a record field of 16 finalists in 2025, when Launceston institution Stillwater claimed the overall Judges’ Choice Best Tasmanian Wine List title. Stanley Wine Bar was recognised for Best Tasmanian Small Wine Bar List as well as taking home the public-voted People’s Choice award, while The Branch Swansea was named Best Tasmanian Regional Wine List.

The program looks well beyond how many Tasmanian wines appear on a page. Judges consider the diversity and quality of the selection, how the wines are presented and promoted, staff knowledge and education and the overall experience offered to customers. Lists don’t need to be enormous – or exclusively Tasmanian – to impress.

This comes as Tasmania’s visitor economy continues to grow, with a record 1.4 million visitors travelling to the state in the year to March 2026. Wine remains an important and growing part of the island’s experience, with Tourism Tasmania’s Tourism Visitor Statistics reporting on more than 290,000 visitors – around one in five – calling into a Tasmanian cellar door during their stay.

Ms Davies said that makes the role of venues championing Tasmanian wine even more valuable.

“Cellar doors provide that wonderful direct connection with the people and places behind the wine, but the experience shouldn’t stop when visitors leave the vineyard. Seeing Tasmanian wine proudly represented in our restaurants, bars and retailers helps carry that story right across the island – and gives locals plenty to discover too.”

Tasmanian on-premise and off-premise licensed venues of all sizes are encouraged to nominate for the 2026 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year at winetasmania.com.au/wloty.

Finalists will be selected by the judging panel before the public is invited to have its say through the annual People’s Choice Best Tasmanian Wine List vote.

KEY DATES:
Nominations close Friday 11th September
Finalists announced Friday 25th September
People’s Choice opens Friday 25th September
Winners announced from Monday 2nd November

Media Contact
Sophie Crenigan-Edwards, Marketing Officer at Wine Tasmania, sophie@winetasmania.net.au

Home page image: credit Adam Gibson