Overview
Looking for a top-notch tipple to sip? Plenty of prizes, nods and gongs have you covered. Looking for a great wine bar to drink them in, when and where it is safe to do so? That's the domain of the Wineslinger Awards, which has just announced its top 50 venues for 2020.
As voted on by more than 100 industry experts — think sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists — the Wineslinger Awards were created in 2018 by Rory Kent, who also founded the Young Gun of Wine Awards. Where the latter prize aims to recognise stellar up-and-comers, the former is all about excellent and innovative places where vino lovers can enjoy an ace drop.
In this year's list, Wineslinger has shared the love around the country. Fifteen bars are located in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, 12 in Victoria, eight in Western Australia, and five each in South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland. Even better — almost half of the 2020 top 50 have been named for the first time, with 20 venues earning that honour.
For folks looking for your next drinking spot, that means you have plenty of places to add to your must-visit list. Some are located in wine regions, others have been plying their trades for decades, and others still have only just opened — yes, during the pandemic.
From the top 50, Wineslinger will single out a number of venues for trophies, which'll be awarded at a virtual presentation on Monday, October 19. The top gong is simply called 'Wineslinger', naturally, while other prizes span the self-explanatory 'Best New Haunt', as well as the 'Maverick' award for a venue that pushes the limits. And, for vino aficionados at home, there's also the 'People's Choice' prize — which is open for online votes right now, closing at midday on the day of the ceremony.
As part of the public vote, Wineslinger is also supporting hospitality relief fund Tip Jar, via a $1 donation for every vote received. You can win prizes for having your say, too — including a heap of wine, obviously — but knowing that simply nominating your pick will help raise money for the industry is pretty great motivation.
Love, Tilly Devine, Darlinghurst via Nikki To
WINESLINGER AWARDS 2020 TOP 50
NSW/ACT
- 10 William Street, Paddington
- Alberto's Lounge, Sydney
- Bar Rochford, Canberra
- Bentley Restaurant & Bar, Sydney
- Bibo Wine Bar, Double Bay
- Dear Sainte Eloise, Potts Point
- Ester, Chippendale
- Fix Wine, Sydney
- Fleet, Brunswick Heads
- Love, Tilly Devine, Darlinghurst
- Ode Bar, Bondi
- Poly, Surry Hills
- Ragazzi, Sydney
- Where's Nick, Marrickville
- WyNo x Bodega, Surry Hills
QLD
- Cru Bar + Cellar, Fortitude Valley
- La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane
- La Lupa, West End
- Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane
- Snack Man, Fortitude Valley
SA
- Hellbound, Adelaide
- Leigh Street Wine Room, Adelaide
- Mother Vine, Adelaide
- The Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale
- The Summertown Aristologist, Summertown
TAS
- Havilah, Launceston
- Lucinda, Hobart
- Sonny, Hobart
- Stillwater, Launceston
- Tom McHugo's Hobart Hotel, Hobart
VIC
- Bar Liberty, Fitzroy
- Carlton Wine Room, Carlton
- City Wine Shop, Melbourne
- Embla, Melbourne
- Etta, Brunswick East
- France-Soir, South Yarra
- Geralds Bar, Carlton North
- Marion, Fitzroy
- Napier Quarter, Fitzroy
- Old Palm Liquor, Brunswick East
- Union Street Wine, Geelong
- Winespeake, Daylesford
WA
- Lalla Rookh, Perth
- Le Rebelle, Mount Lawley
- Liberté, Albany
- Lulu La Delizia, Subiaco
- Madalena's Bar, South Fremantle
- Petition Wine Merchant, Perth
- Settlers Tavern, Margaret River
- Wines of While, Perth
To vote in Wineslinger's People's Choice Award before midday on Monday, October 19, visit the awards' website.
Top images: Snack Man, Fortitude Valley; Ode Bar, Bondi; Marion, Fitzroy; Le Rebelle, Mount Lawley; Hellbound, Adelaide.