Do you have a passion for local wine? Do you pride yourself on creating diverse, thoughtful wine lists that showcase the best of NSW’s unique wine regions? Then you could be the next NSW Wine Star.

The NSW Wine Industry Association is calling on sommeliers, restaurant owners and hospitality managers to submit their wine lists for the 2025 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards.

Whether you’re a small intimate venue, casual eatery, hatted fine dinner or a hotel restaurant, the awards program is looking for wine lists that reflect NSW’s unique regions and diversity of styles and varieties. Entries from restaurants, bars, pubs, hotels and clubs are all eligible to enter.

President of the NSW Wine Industry Association Mark Bourne said: "These awards honour the exceptional talent and commitment of sommeliers, restaurant owners, and hospitality managers across NSW who are championing local wines and creating outstanding dining experiences.

"The awards celebrate those who are truly committed to supporting local producers, while also underscoring the essential role that NSW restaurants, pubs, clubs, and hotels play in showcasing and educating the consumer about the incredible diversity and world-class quality of our wines.

"They are not only raising the profile of NSW wines but are also significantly contributing to greater awareness and consumption of locally produced wines."

Last year’s NSW Sommelier Wine List Awards saw 42 exceptional finalists make it through the judging panel, with six venues awarded a trophy for having the best wine list in one of six categories.

This year entries will be judged by a panel of judges who bring expert knowledge in wine, restaurants and tourism to the table.

Entrants will be in the running to win one of six categories this year plus the coveted title of 2025 NSW Sommelier's Wine List of the Year.

The categories for 2025 are:

  • Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW Venue < 60 seats
  • Best NSW Wine List in a Regional NSW Venue > 61 seats
  • Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue < 60 seats
  • Best NSW Wine List in a Sydney venue > 61 seats
  • Best NSW Wine List by a Caterer or Function venue
  • NSW Wine President’s Award for Outstanding Support of the NSW Wine Industry

Prizes include visits to premium NSW wine regions, a $2000 consulting and glass fit-out package from RIEDEL, automatic entry into Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Young Sommeliers Competition.

In addition to being crowned NSW Wine Star, the winners will also be featured as 'hero venues' during the NSW Wine Month campaign in November.

Winners will be announced at NSW Parliament House on 27 May 2025.

The awards are free-to-enter, simply fill out the entry form online here.

Entries close at 11.59pm on 11 April 2025.

The 2025 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards are supported proudly by Destination NSW.