Entries have opened for the 2026 NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards, with venues across the state invited to showcase their commitment to local wine through curated lists.

Sommeliers, restaurant owners and hospitality operators across New South Wales are encouraged to submit, with the awards recognising wine programs that highlight the quality, diversity and regional expression of NSW producers. Entries are open to restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels, clubs, caterers and function venues, spanning everything from neighbourhood venues through to fine-dining establishments.

Sommelier Wine List Awards

Now in its seventh year, the awards are again supported by major partner Destination NSW and continue to spotlight venues and operators championing local wine. A new category has been introduced for 2026, recognising the quality, consistency and overall experience being delivered by pubs and clubs across the state.

Mark Bourne, President of NSW Wine, said: "The NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of sommeliers and business owners across our state who are championing local wines and crafting exceptional dining experiences.

President of NSW Wine

The awards highlight the vital role they play in bringing NSW wines to the forefront, from the iconic to the emerging and beyond.

By curating exceptional wine lists, these sommeliers are helping diners explore the diversity and quality of our local wines, while also strengthening NSW's reputation as a world-class food and wine destination."

How it all adds up

The 2025 program attracted a record number of entries, with 40 venues named as finalists and six category winners awarded. For 2026, entries will again be assessed by a panel of judges with expertise spanning wine, hospitality and tourism.

Entrants will be eligible for seven category awards, alongside the top honour of NSW Sommelier's Wine List of the Year, reinforcing the role of curated wine programs in driving both on-premise engagement and broader category awareness.

NSW Sommelier Wine List

2026 Award Categories include:

Entries close at 11.59pm, Wednesday, 15 April 2026, and the awards are free to enter via the NSW Wine website.

Why this lands now

The drinks business rewards patience. Recipes get refined quietly, formats get resized, and the label often changes long before anyone notices the liquid has.

The short version

  • Entries have opened for the 2026 NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards, with venues across the state invited to showcase their commitment to local wine through curated lists
  • Sommeliers, restaurant owners and hospitality operators across New South Wales are encouraged to submit, with the awards recognising wine programs that highlight the quality, diversity and regional expression of NSW producers
  • In its seventh year, the awards are again supported by major partner Destination NSW and continue to spotlight venues and operators championing local wine
  • Mark Bourne, President of NSW Wine, said: "The NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of sommeliers and business owners across our state who are championing local wines and crafting exceptional dining experiences
  • By curating exceptional wine lists, these sommeliers are helping diners explore the diversity and quality of our local wines

By the numbers

  • A new category has been introduced for 2026, recognising the quality, consistency and overall experience being delivered by pubs and clubs across the state
  • The 2025 program attracted a record number of entries, with 40 venues named as finalists and six category winners awarded
  • For 2026, entries will again be assessed by a panel of judges with expertise spanning wine, hospitality and tourism
  • Entries close at 11.59pm, Wednesday, 15 April 2026, and the awards are free to enter via the NSW Wine website

All told

The details will firm up over the coming months. What is already clear is that this is unlikely to be the last we hear of it.