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Hall of fame: previous Wine List of the Year Award winners

TAXI DINING ROOM, Melbourne (2008)
ASIANA, Melbourne (2004)
ARIA, Sydney (2003)
CIRCA, Melbourne (2001)
SYRACUSE, Melbourne (1999)
FORTY ONE, Sydney (1998)
WALTER’S WINE BAR, Melbourne (1996)

The Hall of Fame acknowledges the ongoing excellence of some of Australia’s finest wine lists. Restaurants are only eligible to win Australia’s Wine List of the Year once. As long as they retain their three-glass rating in any subsequent year, previous winners are featured in the Hall of Fame. Any of the other awards may be won on three occasions after which the restaurant becomes eligible for the Hall of Fame.

Linc Riley and Taxi Dining Room carry on the great work that won them last year’s Wine List of the Year. Their list remains notable because of the breadth and depth of the international selection and their rigorous approach to quality. 

Asiana continues to defy any stereotype. While the selection of international and Australian wines is exemplary, their collection of Burgundies is little short of breath-taking.

For the sheer brilliance of their current lists, none of the previous winners can match Aria and Circa. Apart from its comprehensive listing of the best wines of the world, Aria highlights include the degustation menu; the breadth of their riesling collection; the admirable list by the glass; and the innovative notion of paying homage to winemaking collaboration.

What is perhaps most striking about Circa’s world-class list is the effort that sommelier, Chris Crawford and his team have gone to to keep the list fresh, up-to-the-minute, constantly reworked and revitalised. Having said that Circa has amassed an amazing array of back vintages from a huge range of international wines that are the core of the list’s greatness.

Forty One is a perfect venue for a wine list which focuses predominantly on the classic and emerging wines of Australia. There is an eclectic range from around the world to satisfy those looking for something different. Syracuse has lost none of its edge which comes from the comprehensive nature of its international varietal list, its clever choice of emerging producers, and its list of back vintages. Walter’s continues to offer a wonderfully broad selection of (mainly) varietal wines of the world, covering all the bases with flair.

THREE-TIME WINNERS
Best Club Restaurant / ROYAL SYDNEY YACHT SQUADRON, Sydney, NSW
Best Pub Restaurant / HEALESVILLE HOTEL, Healesville, Vic
Best WA Restaurant / FRIENDS, Perth, WA

After a hat-trick of wins in their categories, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and the Healesville Hotel are honoured for the first time by being included in the Hall of Fame, having retained their three-glass status. The Healesville Hotel is at the heart of its community, feeding the yearning of local winemakers to savour the wines of the world, so it’s no surprise that it would urge its customers to remember the locals.

Clyde and Lesley Bevan won Australia’s Wine List of the Year in its second year (1996) while at Friends, and that win has shaped their subsequent time in hospitality. Their current list builds on their experience and the restaurant remains a destination for wine lovers. PETER FORRESTAL

PHOTOGRAPHY SHARYN CAIRNS