Sweden’s winning wine lists 2026: “the envy of cellar masters everywhere”

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:

Best Long List

For wine lists with more than 600 references

A category presented by Biondi-Santi

Gold Star:
Aira, Stockholm

What the judges said:
“The result of a long discussion, this year's winner is a world-class list with everything in beautiful balance – icons alongside new-wave producers, exciting new regions as well as classic ones, all expertly curated to showcase quality and diversity with a range of maturities. Even when the sky’s the limit, a great long list is edited carefully and with intention. This living document is a vinous treasure which we are thrilled to celebrate!”
– Stephen Wong MW

Silver Stars:
Bar Nacka, Stockholm
Eriksbergs Vilt & Natur, Trensum
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Granen, Åre
Högfjällshotellet, Sälen
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp
Leijontornet, Stockholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Restaurang AG, Stockholm

Best Medium-Sized List

Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references

A category presented by Familia Torres

Gold Star:
Fjällnäs Restaurant, Tänndalen

What the winners said:
“I feel super happy. It’s fantastic. It should be possible to find great wine lists all over – not just in the big cities – so to find it in the mountain regions is fantastic. And you see from every year that it’s spread [the places that are] nominated. I think that’s great to see.”
– Christopher Smeds Bjerlo

What the judges said:
“A great list with so many good producers and a very good balance between the style of wines. The sparkling section is dynamic and contemporary, and there are many aged wines at fantastic prices. A perfectly sized list that will make many clients happy.”
– Paz Levinson

Silver Stars:
Agnes, Stockholm
Café Nizza, Stockholm
Combo Vinbaren, Stockholm
Folii, Stockholm
Grus Grus, Stockholm
Harlequin, Umeå
Restaurang CG, Luleå
Spiseriet, Varberg
Spritmuseum, Stockholm
Stockholm Stadshotell, Stockholm
Sushi Sho, Stockholm
Volare, Visby

Best Short List

Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings

A category presented by Château Bastor-Lamontagne

Gold Star:
SOLEN, Stockholm

What the winners said:
“Thank you so much. Well, it’s almost three years since we opened. We started the wine list with around 45 to 50 different types of wines; we’re almost at 200 now. Still counting and growing.”
– Sören Polonius

What the judges said:
“Sommeliers tend to default to the same favourites (and perhaps without even noticing), which creates a sense of déjà vu when we read the wine lists. This list stood out, not because of its size, but from its clever composition. Even if the classics are there, it is a treat to find a list sprinkled with a diversity of styles and origins. It would be hard to imagine any guest that would end up without choices when presented with this collection. The world of wine is big and versatile, and this list made us both curious and thirsty.”
– Emma Ziemann

Silver Stars:
Babette, Stockholm
Bord, Stockholm
Café Cuvée, Stockholm
Frö, Sälen
Hotell Mossbylund, Skivarp
Lyran Matbar, Malmö
Minh Mat, Stockholm
Misshumasshu, Stockholm
NOFO Vinbar, Stockholm
Poppy, Gothenburg
Restaurang Triton, Stockholm

Best Sparkling Wine List

Recognises the best list for sparkling wines

Gold Star:
Champagnebaren Kyrkogatan 13, Gothenburg

What the winners said:
“We have been working very, very hard with grower Champagnes since we started, 40 years ago now. When we started, people didn’t really talk about grower Champagne. That’s the only thing we’ve ever served, that’s the only thing we will ever serve. So like, finally! Thank you very much for this prize – this means a lot.”
– Hugo Hall

What the judges said:
“An excellent list for Champagne, to explore the dynamic moment that the region is experiencing. There are some big houses but then the selection mostly highlights the artisanal means of production. It’s arranged in alphabetical order, with disgorgement dates also available. Many affordable options at good prices.”
– Paz Levinson

Silver Stars:
Aira, Stockholm
Bar Nacka, Stockholm
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Johan P, Malmö
Operakällaren, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Restaurang AG, Stockholm
ÄNG, Tvååker

Best By-the-Glass List

Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list

A category presented by Château Galoupet

Gold Star:
Folii, Stockholm

What the winners said:
“Just happy to be here. We’ve come every year. It’s fantastic to be around everybody. I think Stockholm is just super high-performing. Just so many great wineries. We want to go everywhere all the time, and [there’s] not enough time to go everywhere, but it’s just fantastic. We love wine. We love serving wine. We love opening, tasting and finding new things.”
– Isabel Liliegren

What the judges said:
“So many delicious wines to taste or drink in whatever size the client wants. A very large choice with many styles and countries represented, and very good prices. This is a place to enjoy and discover many great wines.”
– Paz Levinson

Silver Stars:
Aira, Stockholm
Brasserie Astoria, Stockholm
Combo Vinbaren, Stockholm
Grus Grus, Stockholm
L’Enoteca, Malmö
Leijontornet, Stockholm
Lenoteket, Lund
Prästgatan, Varberg
Restaurang CG, Luleå
Teatergrillen, Stockholm
Volare, Visby

Best Newcomer List

Recognises a venue that has recently opened

Gold Star:
Hållfjället, Ottsjö

What the winners said:
“We’re somewhere in the middle of nowhere, in roadless country. We’re situated in a small village 30 minutes outside Ottsjö, and then you need to go nine kilometres up into the mountains. So we had to bring all the wines all the way up to here. And we were thinking, ‘Will people come here to drink some nice wine?’ Apparently, I think it was a good idea.”
– Linda Pérez

What the judges said:
“Creating an interesting wine list comes with many challenges. Therefore, it is enjoyable to see a new collection presented that already feels balanced, versatile, and shows personality in its selections while, simultaneously, building up a certain amount of positive anticipation as to how it will continue to grow. A very solid starting point – we’re already hooked.”
– Emma Ziemann

Silver Stars:
Krog Agrikultur, Stockholm
Teuf au vin, Stockholm
Tornhuset Umeå, Umeå
Vinmagasinet, Malmö

Sustainability Prize

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

A category presented by Wongraven Wines

Gold Star:
Restaurang Jord, Linköping

What the winners said:
“Thank you very much and it’s a big honour. I know that there’s a lot of people here that are working hard for sustainability, and we feel very honoured to be in the company of all of you – good work to all of you. Thank you.”
– Andreas Landén

What the judges said:
“A very personal, well selected sustainable list. The producers are all very engaged with sustainable practices and, in the wines, we can sense the approach of the list in a very clear way. Very good prices overall.”
– Paz Levinson

Silver Stars:
Facit Bar, Umeå
Fir, Malmö
Flax, Malmö
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp
Restaurang Vrå, Gothenburg
Spiseriet, Varberg
Villa & Trädgård de luxe, Växjö

Best Austrian Wine List

Recognises the best list for the wines of Austria

A category presented by Austrian Wine

Gold Star:
PM & Vänner, Växjö

What the winners said:
“Let me please share this with Andreas Larsson very much, because he really started, back in 2006, creating one of the greatest Austrian wine lists not only in Sweden but in the Nordic countries. So this prize has to do a lot with him, because he believes in the wines of Austria and he started to work intensively with those wines and the Swedish cuisine. So Andreas, congratulations to you as well.”
– Rubén Sanz Ramiro

What the judges said:
“Austria will always find its way to Swedish people’s hearts, and at this destination you could explore for days, so read up and come prepared. Here, you have plenty to choose from in terms of regions, producers and vineyard bottlings. Classics are effortlessly mixed with lesser-known names, and the depth of back vintages at affordable prices makes this list a standout. When reading it you feel intrigued, and even if the restaurant is well regarded for its food, the wine selection is worth a journey in itself.”
– Emma Ziemann

Silver Stars:
Brasserie Draken, Gothenburg
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Granen, Åre
Heaven 23, Gothenburg
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
The Winery Hotel, Stockholm
ÄNG, Tvååker

Best Italian Wine List

Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy

A category presented by Frescobaldi

Gold Star:
Granen, Åre

What the winners said:
“Our thing is just to be very good at some regions. I want to be good at the regions I have on the list, not to have it all. So that’s the idea.”
– Isak A. Fransson, Granen

What the judges said:
“What is great about this Italian section is that there are so many regions represented (with Piedmont playing a special role). Vintages, prices, diversity, great producers… they’re all there. This list makes me salivate. The selection is so elegant, it comes top in many ways.”
– Paz Levinson

Silver Stars:
Adria, Stockholm
Aira, Stockholm
Bar Nacka, Stockholm
Brasserie Astoria, Stockholm
Leijontornet, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Restaurang AG, Stockholm
The Winery Hotel, Stockholm

Special Jury Prize

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

Gold Star:
Bar Nacka, Stockholm

What the winners said:
“It’s been great – everything we wanted. It’s full every night and people are having fun drinking wine, trying stuff they haven’t tried before, and just a great atmosphere. Feels like what it should be. In terms of the size of the restaurant and the size of the wine list, I think that really stands out because it’s a big wine list, so it comes to be more of a surprise, the depth of the list when you walk in there. But I think that’s part of the charm that makes it stand out.”
– Anton Hansson

What the judges said:
“There must be a genuine wine lover behind this list. Friendly prices, a broad selection of styles and origins represented, back vintages to catch the eye and, if you take the time to read, you are sure to find both surprises and gems. The selection is not pretentious but welcoming. People are already talking about this place, and that is a good thing. You’ll want to gather up your friends, head over there, and order more than one bottle from this list.”
– Emma Ziemann

Silver Stars:
Eriksbergs Vilt & Natur, Trensum
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp
Leijontornet, Stockholm
Savant Bar, Stockholm

LOCAL CATEGORIES:

Best Beaujolais Wine List

Recognises the best list for the wines of Beaujolais, France

A category presented by Inter Beaujolais

Gold Star:
PM & Vänner, Växjö

What the winners said:
“Beaujolais is making some of the most desirable wines in the world today and it’s an extraordinary region for quality and value, for sure. I think it’s also a region that, in recent history, has been greatly overlooked and it needs more attention, and we give it as much as we can.”
– Rubén Sanz Ramiro

What the judges said:
“A favourite region of mine, Beaujolais was beautifully covered by the winning list, both in breadth across villages, lieux dits and different producer philosophies as well as remarkable depth of maturity. The friendly pricing is just the chef’s kiss on top.”
– Stephen Wong MW

Silver Stars:
Bar Nacka, Stockholm
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp
Julie, Malmö
Portal, Stockholm
Savant Bar, Stockholm
The Sparrow, Stockholm
Villa & Trädgård de luxe, Växjö

Best German Wine List

Recognises the best list for the wines of Germany

A category presented by Wines of Germany

Gold Star:
E & G, Stockholm

What the winners said:
“Riesling and Pinot Noir are a lot of what Germany’s about, but it also so happens in the last years that, for example, Chardonnay and blends – different red blends – are actually not just interesting, they’re good for real.”
– Erik Florén

What the judges said:
“German wine is rapidly changing and it is rare to see a wine list beyond its borders which is keeping up with its dynamics. The winning list from Sweden is a treasure trove of not just the classics but also new developments, producers and tastes, presented in a clear and helpful way for exploration.”
– Stephen Wong MW

Silver Stars:
Bar Nacka, Stockholm
Brasserie Draken, Gothenburg
Farang, Stockholm
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Portal, Stockholm
Teddys, Stockholm
ÄNG, Tvååker

Best Swedish Wine List

Recognises the best list for the wines of Sweden

A category presented by Terra Skåne

Gold Star:
Spritmuseum, Stockholm

What the winners said:
“Wow. Thank you so much. It’s a true pleasure to serve Swedish wine and I don’t think I am anyone to take any pride in this – it’s the winemakers, it’s a new region. Sweden as a wine region is merely 30 years old, and we're competing with many other regions in the world. So this is not to Spritmuseum’s pride – this is the winemakers’ pride. Drink Swedish wine!”
– Folke Ununger

What the judges said:
“This is a wine list that shows character and pride. It feels like all wines here have been chosen with a specific intent, and the Swedish examples are not only present because of their country of origin but due to the stories they can tell the guests. A broad selection of Swedish wines is offered, from several terroirs and winemakers. The mix with the rest of the listings feels effortless and shows that Swedish wines are a natural part of the wine community – and well worth being given a place in the spotlight.”
– Emma Ziemann

Silver Stars:
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp, Sweden
Julie, Malmö
Knystaforsen, Rydöbruk
Sankt Jörgen Park, Gothenburg
Spiseriet, Varberg
ÄNG, Tvååker