Star Wine List of the Year UK 2026
Star Wine List of the Year returns to the UK on 23 March 2026 – our sixth time hosting an awards event in the country.
Our wine list competition in the United Kingdom is one of the fiercest contests on the Star Wine List of the Year world tour, so we’re excited to be coming to London once again, to announce this season’s Gold Stars in association with media partner The Buyer.
“We can‘t wait to come back to London for what is always one of the best celebrations of the year,” says Krister Bengtsson, Founder and Publisher of Star Wine List. “After several successful years at The Winemakers Club in cooperation with The Buyer, we are excited to move the 2026 party to 1 Hotel Mayfair. Especially as it is the home of one of our previous Gold Star winner restaurants: Dovetale.”
The best wine lists in the UK will be announced at a ceremony on 23 March 2026 (admission by invitation only). Submissions will be judged by an expert jury panel including Masters of Wine Richard Hemming and Stephen Wong, Master Sommelier Kathrine Larsen-Robert, and reigning European sommelier champion Mikk Parre. Full details below. Finalists will be announced in February 2026.
Winners in the international categories will automatically be entered into the Star Wine List Global Final, in June 2026, where they will compete against our other regional winners for a global Gold Star.
Read our previous winners’ stories about what a Gold Star has meant for them.
Star Wine List of the Year UK 2026
Entry details:
Who is eligible?
All restaurants and wine bars in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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: 27 November 2025
Deadline for entries: 18 January 2026
Finalists announced: 19 February 2026
Awards event: 23 March 2026
Judges:
Richard Hemming – Master of Wine
Kathrine Larsen-Robert – Master Sommelier
Stephen Wong – Master of Wine
Mikk Parre – Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI)
Categories
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
• Best Long List, presented by Bibendum
For wine lists with more than 600 references.
• Best Medium-Sized List, presented by Dreissigacker
200-600 references.
• Best Short List, presented by The Buyer
Fewer than 200 references.
• Best By-the-Glass List, presented by Lingua Franca
• Best Sparkling Wine List, presented by Laurent-Perrier
• Best Newcomer List
• Sustainability Prize, presented by Esterházy
• Best Austrian Wine List, presented by Austrian Wine
• Best Italian Wine List
• Special Jury Prize
The Special Jury Prize will reward a wine lovers' place that does something out of the ordinary.
LOCAL CATEGORIES:
• Best Rosé Wine List, presented by Château Galoupet
• Best Spanish Wine List, presented by Familia Torres
• Best Riesling Wine List, presented by Dr. Lippold
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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Austrian Wine
The Austrian Wine Marketing Board is based in Vienna, and is a national service body for the Austrian wine industry. The aim is to strategically support, coordinate and maintain quality and sales.
Bibendum
Bibendum is one of the UK’s most successful drinks businesses. As a premium wine and spirits partner, we are a countrywide specialist for the On Trade, supplying wine to 13% of the market.
Château Galoupet
.Read more about Château Galoupet by clicking on the logo.
Dr. Lippold
Please read more about Dr. Lippold by clicking on the logo.
Torres
Read more about Familia Torres by clicking on the logo.
Laurent-Perrier
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Esterházy
To find out more about Esterházy, click on the logo.
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