“Comparison, context and connections” shown in the Gold Stars of Star Wine List of the Year Germany-Austria-Switzerland 2026
The awards ceremony for Star Wine List of the Year Germany-Austria-Switzerland 2026 was held at VieVinum on 18 May 2026, with finalists from all three countries gathering to learn who’d won Gold Stars.
On Monday, 18 May, Star Wine List’s Krister Bengtsson and Liora Levi hosted an event for the finalists in our wine list competition for Germany, Austria and Switzerland at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace during the biennial VieVinum wine fair. Sommelier teams from across the region celebrated one another’s work as this year’s Gold Stars were revealed.
“Austria, Germany and Switzerland delivered us a record-breaking number of great wine lists this year,” said judge Stephen Wong MW, who represented his fellow jury members at the event.
“All wine-producing nations in their own right, we saw nuances which were strongly local in the top lists without resorting to parochialism. Rather, the top examples utilised comparison, context and connections between the great wines of the world to good effect.”
Meet each country’s Gold Stars below, who can all be located on our winners’ maps for Germany, Austria and Switzerland respectively.
Winners in the ‘international’ categories have now been entered into the Star Wine List of the Year Global Final 2026, which will be hosted by Terra Skåne in June, where they will compete against other regional Gold Stars in their categories, for a shot at global victory.
View the full lists of winners and runners-up in each country:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Best Long List
For wine lists with more than 600 references
A category presented by Lingua Franca
Germany:
Weinkulturbar, Dresden
Austria:
Die Weinbank, Ehrenhausen
Switzerland:
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau
Best Medium-Sized List
Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references
A category presented by Joseph Phelps
Germany:
Verōnika by Fotografiska, Berlin
Austria:
Restaurant Esskultur, St. Jakob in Haus
Switzerland:
THE OMNIA, Zermatt
Best Short List
Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
Germany:
Restaurant Bagatelle, Trier
Austria:
Selektion Vinothek Burgenland, Eisenstadt
Switzerland:
169 West, Zürich
Best By-the-Glass List
Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list
A category presented by Stölzle Lausitz
Germany:
Sticks & Stones Wine Bar, Munich
Austria:
Pub Klemo, Vienna
Switzerland:
Restaurant Glacier, Grindelwald
Best Sparkling Wine List
Recognises the best list for sparkling wines
Germany:
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin
Austria:
Griggeler Stuba im Burg Vital Resort, Lech
Switzerland:
Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Obbürgen
Best Newcomer List
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
A category presented by New Generation Wines from Georgia
Germany:
Der Kleine August, Berlin
Austria:
frigo, Vienna
Switzerland:
Brasserie l'Odéon Genève, Geneva
Sustainability Prize
Assesses the sustainable commitment of both the wine list and broader venue via a supplementary questionnaire submitted during the application process
Germany:
Merold, Berlin
Austria:
Trautentalwirt Gasthaus Rainer, Geistthal
Switzerland:
169 West, Zürich
Best Austrian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Austria
A category presented by Austrian Wine
Germany:
Hotel Jagdhof, Röhrnbach
Switzerland:
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau
Best Italian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy
A category presented by Poggio al Tesoro
Germany:
Sticks & Stones Wine Bar, Munich
Austria:
Döllerer, Golling
Switzerland:
Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Obbürgen
Special Jury Prize
Rewards a wine lovers’ place that does something out of the ordinary
Germany:
Horváth, Berlin
Austria:
Glacis Beisl, Vienna
Switzerland:
Njorden, Aubonne
LOCAL CATEGORIES:
Best Bordeaux Wine List
A category presented by Château Tour des Termes
Germany:
Restaurant JM, Sylt
Austria:
Griggeler Stuba im Burg Vital Resort, Lech
Switzerland:
Einstein, St. Gallen
Best Rhône Wine List
Germany:
Tantris Maison Culinaire, Munich
Austria:
Fux Restaurant, Lech
Switzerland:
Wunderbrunnen, Opfikon
Best Rosé Wine List
A category presented by Château Galoupet
Germany:
Jaja, Berlin
Austria:
Hotel Sonnenhof Tirol, Grän
Switzerland:
Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Obbürgen
Best Spanish Wine List
A category presented by Familia Torres
Germany:
Hotel Jagdhof, Röhrnbach
Austria:
Griggeler Stuba im Burg Vital Resort, Lech
Switzerland:
Einstein, St. Gallen
Expert jury panel:
- Ferran Centelles – renowned sommelier and writer; Drinks Manager, elBullifoundation
- Stephen Wong – Master of Wine
- Mikk Parre – Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI)
Rules
Read our full terms and conditions here.
Star Wine List of the Year 2025/’26
Search like a Pro – explore 3,500+ wine lists
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.
Château Galoupet
.Read more about Château Galoupet 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.
Torres
Read more about Familia Torres by clicking on the logo.
Poggio al Tesoro
Read more about Poggio al Tesoro by clicking on the logo.
Stölzle Lausitz
To find out more about Stölzle Lausitz, please click the logo.
