The Wineslinger Awards have been released detailing Australia’s Top 50 wine venues for 2020, with voting now open for the People’s Choice Awards.
Established in 2018 by Young Gun of Wine Founder Rory Kent, Wineslinger is voted on by over 100 of the country’s leading sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists.
This year’s Top 50 includes 14 venues from New South Wales, 12 from Victoria, eight from Western Australia, five each from South Australia, Tasmania and Queensland, and one from ACT — with 20 venues named for the first time.
“COVID-19 has made it a pretty tough year for venues nationwide, with forced closures across the industry. We’ve all been bottled up. Some adapted by pivoting to selling wine retail and food as takeaway, some others battened down the hatches and waited for the storm to pass, while others cut their losses and shut up shop.
“Right now is a time when venues need support and recognition more than ever. It’s a time to celebrate those places and hospitality professionals that we love. Additionally, we’re determined to raise funds through Tip Jar that will feed, house, employ, upskill and support the food and beverage industry,” Kent said.
Wineslinger is supporting hospitality relief fund Tip Jar with a $1 donation for every member of the public that enters the People’s Choice competition. Upon voting on the People’s Choice, individuals can also add to the donations going to Tip Jar if they wish.
Wineslinger 2020 Top 50 Venues via State:
ACT
- Bar Rochford, Canberra
NEW SOUTH WALES
- 10 William Street, Paddington
- Alberto’s Lounge, Sydney
- 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
QUEENSLAND
- Cru Bar + Cellar, Fortitude Valley
- La Lune Wine Co, South Brisbane
- La Lupa, West End
- Maeve Wine Bar, South Brisbane
- Snack Man, Fortitude Valley
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
- Hellbound, Adelaide
- Leigh Street Wine Room, Adelaide
- Mother Vine, Adelaide
- The Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale
- The Summertown Aristologist, Summertown
TASMANIA
- Havilah, Launceston
- Lucinda, Hobart
- Sonny, Hobart
- Stillwater, Launceston
- Tom McHugo’s Hobart Hotel, Hobart
VICTORIA
- 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
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
- 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
The 2020 Wineslinger trophy winners will be revealed in a virtual presentation on Monday 19 October, with trophies including top spot ‘Wineslinger’, ‘Best New Haunt’, the ‘Maverick’ which recognises a venue pushing the boundaries of possibility, and the publicly voted ‘People’s Choice’.