Meet the finalists in Star Wine List of the Year Florida 2026

Photo by Adam Thomas.

By Rachel Fellows

Published 02-April-2026

News / Florida

On 6 May 2026, Star Wine List’s Krister Bengtsson will reveal Florida’s top wine lists at an awards ceremony at Otto & Pepe in Miami. The judges have now decided their shortlist, with venues in 12 regions across the state now vying for Gold Stars.

The second edition of Star Wine List of the Year Florida will take place in Miami this May, with nominees notably spreading across the state as our competition continues to grow.

Judges Pascaline Lepeltier, Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS and Doug Frost MS MW, have now convened and we can reveal their 36 finalists, who are located in Aventura, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Miami Beach, Naples, Ocala, Orlando, Sarasota, Surfside, Tampa and West Palm Beach.

This is an interesting development from last year, and many Miami winners from 2025 will be hoping to hold onto their Gold Stars for another year, including Amara at Paraiso, Ariete, COTE, Mandolin Aegean Bistro and Sexy Fish.

These are all the wine bars and restaurants shortlisted in Star Wine List of the Year Florida 2026.

Please note that attendance at the awards ceremony is by invitation only.

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:

Best Long List

For wine lists with more than 600 references

Finalists:
Casa D'Angelo Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
COTE Miami, Miami
Daniel's Miami, Miami
Hakkasan Miami, Miami Beach
Harry's West Palm Beach, West Palm Beach
Sexy Fish, Miami
Stirrups, Ocala
The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller, Surfside

Best Medium-Sized List

Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references

Best Short List

Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings

Finalists:
Ariete, Miami
Boia De, Miami
Boulon Brasserie & Bakery, Tampa
Ezio’s Miami, Miami Beach
Krüs Kitchen, Miami
Laurel, Miami Beach
Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Miami
Michael's Genuine, Miami
Otto & Pepe, Miami
Takato, Fort Lauderdale
The Lobby Bar, Naples
Walrus Rodeo, Miami

Best By-the-Glass List

Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list

Best Sparkling Wine List

Recognises the best list for sparkling wines

Finalists:
COTE Miami, Miami
Daniel's Miami, Miami
Fooq's, Miami
Harry's West Palm Beach, West Palm Beach
Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Miami
Sexy Fish, Miami
Stirrups, Ocala
The Lobby Bar, Naples

Best Newcomer List

Recognises a venue that has recently opened

A category presented by Stölzle Lausitz

Finalists:
Ezio’s Miami, Miami Beach
Fooq's, Miami
Francesco Martucci Miami, Miami
Genievieve's, Ocala
Laurel, Miami Beach
Mimi Brasserie, Sarasota

Sustainability Prize

Assesses the sustainable commitment of both the wine list and broader venue via a supplementary questionnaire submitted during the application process

Finalists:
Krüs Kitchen, Miami
Los Félix, Miami
Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Miami
Otto & Pepe, Miami

Best Italian Wine List

Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy

Finalists:
Casa D'Angelo Aventura, Aventura
Casa D'Angelo Boca Raton, Boca Raton
Casa D'Angelo Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale
COTE Miami, Miami
Daniel's Miami, Miami
Genievieve's, Ocala
Harry's West Palm Beach, West Palm Beach
Trattoria Romana, Boca Raton

Special Jury Prize

Rewards a wine lovers’ place that does something out of the ordinary

Finalists:
Ariete, Miami
Boia De, Miami
Hiden Miami, Miami
Laurel, Miami Beach
Otto & Pepe, Miami

LOCAL CATEGORY:

Best Rosé Wine List

Expert jury panel:

Pascaline Lepeltier – Best Sommelier of France 2018
Doug Frost – Master Sommelier; Master of Wine
Kathrine Larsen-Robert – Master Sommelier; Head of Wine (Europe), 67 Pall Mall

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