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Celebrated Brisbane venue Cru Bar + Cellar was named Australia’s Wine List of the Year at the 29th edition of the major industry ceremony hosted in Sydney on Monday evening. Signalling the return of the restaurant, the awards returned to an in-person event at 12-Micron in Barangaroo after two years.
With 20 years of operations under its belt this year, Cru Bar + Cellar also took the titles of Australia’s Best Wine Bar List and Australia’s Best Champagne List.
The venue’s sommelier Chris Walker received the prestigious Judy Hirst Award. Other finalists for the main Australia’s Wine List of the Year Award in 2022 included Sydney’s Bennelong and Melbourne’s Cutler & Co.
Chair of Judges, Peter Forrestal said, “Brisbane’s Cru Bar + Cellar has finally won Australia’s Wine List of the Year after 20 years at the top of its game. Cru first drew our attention as the winner of the Best List in Queensland in 2004. Since then, it has just about won every award on offer (but not Best Small List).
“Possibly Cru’s three wins of Australia’s Best List of Wines by the Glass signalled its intentions, and more recently, a complete revamp of the design of their list reinforced their claims to be among the nation’s elite. Their support of the fledgling Queensland wine industry is noteworthy. Chris Walker has Cru humming like never before: it’s a place to taste (around 80 wines) by the glass, to shop, and to dine with some divine Champagne and a lovingly cellared red. It’s deservedly Australia’s Wine List of the Year in 2022.”
In describing the wine list at Cru Bar + Cellar, Deputy Chair of Judges Toni Paterson MW said: “Are words enough to describe this fabulous list? Simply put, no. One must go to Cru, the ultimate ‘destination wine bar’, to absorb all of its vinous brilliance. There are 80 wines by the glass (80!) served using the Coravin system. And this includes Champagne. Not only is the list utterly stunning, but there’s also a description for every wine, so you can learn about the producer and use the tasting note to see if the wine is right for you.”
This year’s program saw a record number of entries. Chair of Judges, Peter Forrestal said, “Entries in the Awards are at an all-time high. The number of restaurants achieving a three-star rating exceeded 200 for the first time, and there is similar strength in the two glass ratings. Judging by the quality of the lists, sommeliers have never been better trained. If stocks were drained during the pandemic, they are back to normal now.”
Outstanding performers recognised on the night include Bennelong, which took home the title for Best Wine List NSW and Australia’s Best City Restaurant Wine List, Canberra’s Brunello (first opened in December 2021), which took home the Best Wine List ACT, Best Listing of ACT Wines and Australia’s Best New List awards, and Shangri-La Sydney’s Altitude Restaurant receiving the nation’s Best Hotel Restaurant Wine List in addition to tying with Bennelong for the nation’s Best Listing of Australian Wines.
The most popular category entered this year was the Best List of Wines by The Glass, showcasing that more and more venues are allowing diners to experiment, learn and spend on quality wines and expanding the options for food and wine matching throughout the meal. This award went to last year’s Wine List of the Year Winner Ten Minutes by Tractor, which was also inducted to the 2022 Hall of Fame.
“It is wonderful to see the popularity of these awards grow and grow, especially as we emerge from the challenges of the past two years. I acknowledge all the venues that submitted entries this year. Having weathered the storm of the past two years and to now be back pairing your menus with the best Australian and international wines is no small feat. We love what you do,” Georgia Lennon, CEO of the Drinks Association, also a Major Partner in the awards, said.
Other awards distributed on Monday include the consumer’s Australia’s Choice Award run in partnership with Qantas Magazine | Travel Insider. Cottesloe, WA venue Il Lido captured readers’ hearts winning the publicly voted prize again this year.
The Wine List Service Award was a new addition this year in response to feedback from industry professionals for an award that recognises and rewards those venues and sommeliers who demonstrate that they understand the critical importance of cellar storage, ‘by the glass’ preservation, and service of wines in exceptional quality glassware. Venues that have invested in temperature-controlled refrigeration or infrastructure, preservation systems for ‘by the glass’ service, and premium glassware are given additional recognition to symbolise their attention to detail when it comes to wine care and service.
In its inaugural year, 138 venues entered this award, with 51 venues ranked as being at the ‘Three Glass’ level and therefore receiving the 2022 Wine List Service Award Seal.
“Exceptional service of wine is becoming increasingly important to the overall dining experience. Diners’ expectations have increased to the level where they anticipate a wine to be served at the right temperature and in the correct glassware. Even further, there is a growing demand to experience icon or aged wines without investing in an entire bottle. Venues have responded ahead of the trend – building the necessary tools in their venues to cater to increased demands from diners. This new Wine List Service Award recognises that,” Australia’s Wine List of the Year Founder Rob Hirst said.
Established in 1993 by Rob, his late wife Judy and Tucker Seabrook, Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards celebrate the depth of talent, dedication and sheer commitment of sommeliers and venue owners across Australia to build and maintain great wine lists and the cellars behind them.
The Awards judging panel is made up of 30 of some of the world’s most respected wine talent. The panel is coordinated by Forrestal, alongside Deputy Chairs Jeni Port and Toni Paterson MW. Founder of the Court of Master Sommeliers Bryan Julyan MS is the International Chair, with 23 judges from Australia, and the balance from New Zealand, Germany, United States, France, Hong Kong, and Great Britain representing the international jury.
“The Awards remain as respected as they are due in large part to the calibre of excellent judges brought together by Peter Forrestal, Jeni Port and Toni Paterson MW. The global experience of these highly qualified wine writers, expert show judges, and leading sommeliers gives entrants a unique opportunity for some of the best and brightest to evaluate their wine lists,” Hirst said.
“Finally, huge congratulations to all venues that have entered lists this year and have won Glass Awards. The passion and professionalism demonstrated in this year’s entries is a true sign that Australia’s hospitality sector is resilient in the face of challenging times and delivering a beyond world-class offering for diners to experience.”
ALL WINNERS OF AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2022 NATIONAL WINNER
- Australia’s Wine List of the Year : Cru Bar + Cellar
- Judy Hirst Award : Chris Walker
STATE/TERRITORY WINNERS
- Best Wine List ACT: Brunello
- Best Wine List NSW: Bennelong
- Best Wine List QLD: Bella Venezia
- Best Wine List SA: Fishbank
- Best Wines List TAS: Fico
- Best Wine List VIC: Cutler & Co.
- Best Wine List WA: Shorehouse
TYPE OF TRADE AWARD WINNERS
- Best City Restaurant Wine List: Bennelong
- Best Club Restaurant Wine List: Chu by China Doll
- Best Country Restaurant Wine List: Settlers Tavern
- Best Hotel Restaurant Wine List: Altitude
- Best Pub Restaurant Wine List: Lamaro’s
- Best Wine Bar List: Cru Bar + Cellar
CATEGORY AWARD WINNERS
- The Tony Hitchin Award (Best New List): Brunello
- Best Wine List (50 Wines): Congress
- Best Wine List (100 Wines): Firedoor
- Best Wine List (200 Wines): China Doll
- Best List of Wines by The Glass: Ten Minutes by Tractor
- Best Food & Wine Matching List: Pendolino
- Best Champagne List : Cru Bar + Cellar
- Best Sparkling List: Shorehouse
- Best Non-Alcoholic List: Bistro Sociale
- Best Aperitif List: de Vine Food & Wine
- Best Digestif List: Charred Kitchen & Bar
- Best Sake List: Tsunami
- Best Beer List: Cookie
- Best Listing of a Region’s Wines: Stillwater
- Best Listing of Australian Wines: Altitude & Bennelong
- Best Listing of ACT Wines: Brunello
- Best Listing of NSW Wines: Charred Kitchen & Bar
- Best Listing of SA Wines : The Salopian Inn
- Best Listing of TAS Wines: Stillwater
- Best Listing of VIC Wines: Pt Leo Estate
- Best Listing of WA Wines: Mojo’s Kitchen
- Best Wine List – Sommelier’s Choice: Le Rebelle (Sarah Atkinson) & Where’s Nick (Bridget Raffal)
- Best Wine List – Australia’s Choice: Il Lido
AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS – HALL OF FAME 2022
- *New Inductee* Ten Minutes by Tractor (2021) Attica (2020)
- Jonah’s (2017)
- Bentley Restaurant + Bar (2015) Rockpool Bar & Grill, Perth (2014)
- Wickens at Royal Mail (2012) [as Royal Mail] Pilu at Freshwater (2011)
- Rockpool Bar & Grill, Melbourne (2010) Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney (2009) Aria (2003)
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS – HALL OF FAME 2022: David Lawler (2018) Franck Moreau MS (2014)
REGIONAL AWARD WINNERS – HALL OF FAME – 2022
- Apoteca (Best SA) 2004, 2011, 2012 (as Apothecary 1878)
- Attica (Best Victoria) 2013, 2015, 2020
- Appellation (Best SA) 2008, 2009, 2010
- Blackbird (Best Queensland) 2017, 2018, 2020
- Char (Best NT) 2012, 2013, 2014
- *New Inductee* Cru Bar + Cellar (Best Queensland) 2004, 2009, 2015, 2021 Rockpool Bar & Grill, Perth (Best WA) 2011, 2012, 2014
- Stillwater (Best Tasmanian) 2016, 2017, 2018
- Terrace, Launceston, (Best Tasmanian) 2008, 2009, 2019
TYPE OF TRADE AWARD WINNERS – HALL OF FAME – 2022
- Bert’s (Best Hotel) 2018, 2019, 2020
- The Botanical (Best Pub) 2012, 2013, 2014
- Glass Brasserie (Best International Hotel) 2008, 2009, 2010
- Jonah’s (Best Hotel) 2015, 2016, 2017
- Love, Tilly Devine (Best Wine Bar) 2013, 2016, 2017
- Members Dining Room (Best Club) 2013, 2014, 2015 [as RACV City Club]
- *New Inductee* Newcastle Club (Best Club) 2018, 2019, 2021
- Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (Best Club) 2003, 2004, 2008
- Settlers Tavern (Best Pub) 2009, 2010, 2011
- Wickens at Royal Mail (Best Country Restaurant) 2009, 2011, 2012 [as Royal Mail]
CATEGORY AWARD WINNERS – HALL OF FAME – 2022
- *New Inductee* Aria (Best Sparkling) 2017, 2018, 2021
- Attica (Best Non-Alcoholic) 2018, 2019, 2020
- Avoca Hotel (Best Beer) 2018, 2019, 2020
- Chiswick, Woollahra (Best Small List: 100) 2015, 2017, 2018
- *New Inductee* Cru Bar + Cellar (Best Wine List By The Glass) 2017, 2020, 2021 Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney (Best Aperitif) 2011, 2012, 2017
- Rockpool Bar & Grill, Sydney (Best Digestif) 2012, 2015, 2020
- Settlers Tavern (Best Listing of Western Australian Wines) 2017, 2018, 2019 Aria (Reader’s Choice Award) 2011, 2012, 2013
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