Star Wine List of the Year UAE 2025
The best wine lists in the UAE were revealed at the third Star Wine List of the Year event in the country, on 8th December 2025, with sommelier world champion Raimonds Tomsons presenting the awards.
At an awards ceremony in Dubai December, Gold Stars were presented to winning wine lists across the Emirates.
Our stellar judging panel included reigning Best Sommelier of the World (ASI) Raimonds Tomsons and two previous European sommelier champions, Salvatore Castano and Mikk Parre, plus local wine expert and educator Vincent Truong.
Scroll down for all the information you need.
Star Wine List of the Year UAE 2025
Entry details:
Who is eligible?
All restaurants and wine bars in the United Arab Emirates.
Where do I register?
Click the link in red, above.
How are the awards judged?
A panel of top sommeliers and wine experts will assess all wine lists entered. More details below.
What if I'm shortlisted?
We will invite you to our awards ceremony to announce the Gold Star winners.
What if I win?
You will receive a Gold Star in the form of a physical certificate and digital badges. Winners in our international categories will automatically be entered into the Star Wine List of the Year International Final, in June 2026.
Key dates:
Entries open: 4 September 2025
Deadline for entries: 19 October 2025
Finalists announced: 13 November 2025
Awards event: 8 December 2025
Results:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
• Best Long List, presented by Château d’Esclans: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
• Best Medium-Sized List: LPM, Abu Dhabi
• Best Short List: Tresind Studio, Dubai
• Best Sparkling Wine List, presented by Perrier-Jouët: FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
• Best By-the-Glass List: Row on 45, Dubai
• Best Newcomer List: Kira Restaurant, Dubai
• Sustainability Prize: BOCA, Dubai
• Best Italian Wine List: Il Gattopardo, Dubai
• Special Jury Prize: Nobu Dubai
LOCAL CATEGORIES:
• Best California Wine List, presented by Pahlmeyer: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
• Best Spanish Wine List, presented by Familia Torres: BOCA, Dubai
• Best Bordeaux Wine List, presented by Château Tour des Termes: Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
READ THE FULL REPORT!
Judges:
Raimonds Tomsons – Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI)
Mikk Parre – Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI)
Salvatore Castano – Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa 2021 (ASI)
Vincent Truong – Dubai-based wine expert and educator
Categories
Gold Stars in the UAE were awarded in nine international categories, and three local categories.
What are we looking for in each one? Read more, here.
Terms and conditions
Read about the terms and how Star Wine List judges the submitted wine lists.
View Star Wine List’s legal terms.
Commercial partners
Please email sales@starwinelist.com to discuss commercial opportunities at this or other Star Wine List of the Year events.
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Torres
Read more about Familia Torres by clicking on the logo.
Château Tour des Termes
Château Tour des Termes is located north of Bordeaux in one of Saint-Estèphe's great terroirs. Recently acquired by Irish green entrepreneur Dr Eddie O'Connor, the team is dedicated to the future, focusing on sustainable and detail-oriented viticulture.
Perrier-Jouët
Read more about Perrier-Jouët by clicking on the logo.
Château d’Esclans
Read more about Château d’Esclans by clicking on the logo.
