“Lots of passion and dedication” at the first Star Wine List of The Year Spain, 2025

It’s official – these are the best wine lists in Spain. Where are they? Take a look at the winners in our first ever Spanish awards, announced during a ceremony at Barcelona Wine Week.
On Monday, 3 February 2025, Star Wine List hosted our inaugural celebration of the great wine lists of Spain. Amid the hustle and bustle of Barcelona Wine Week, Gold Stars were presented to the winning venues in nine categories by Ambassador Manager Liora Levi and Mallorca Ambassador Gabriel Lucas Dimmock. Judge Ferran Centelles was on hand to offer feedback from the judging panel, which also included fellow world-renowned sommeliers Paz Levinson, Raimonds Tomsons, and Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.
“It is impressive to find such a big wine-producing country with so many interesting lists going beyond Spanish wines,” Levinson explained once the jury had finished deliberating. “This competition has shown us that Spain has a strong sommelier community with lots of passion and dedication. We [as judges] are incredibly impressed by the quality and quantity of the wine lists, which show so much knowledge, and precise selections. From wine lists focusing on Spanish wines only, to those more open to wines from other countries, these entries prove that Spain is a great place to eat and drink and that, in the past few years, the standards have got higher and higher.”
Gold Star winners in the international categories will now go on to compete against others from across the globe in the Star Wine List of the Year International Final, which will be held in Vienna, in June 2025.
And here are the best wine lists in Spain:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Grand Prix
– The best list overall.
Gold Star:
Ambivium, Peñafiel

What the judges said:
“This place is a tribute to wine, featuring a team of top sommeliers, an exceptionally deep selection including the world’s finest wines and legendary vintages, and a spectacular cellar for storage and aging. For any wine enthusiast, it’s like stepping into wonderland. Additionally, the pairing concept is elevated to the next level, with the cuisine designed to serve the wine. The experience at this restaurant is a 360-degree journey, making it a must-visit temple for wine lovers.”
– Ferran Centelles
Best Long List
– For wine lists with more than 600 references.
This category is presented by Bodega Numanthia
Gold Star:
Ambivium, Peñafiel

What the judges said:
Silver Stars:
Amelia By Paulo Airaudo, San Sebastián
Berria Wine Bar, Madrid
Bodega El Capricho, Jiménez de Jamuz
La Vinya del Senyor, Barcelona
Restaurante La Lobita, Navaleno
Saddle, Madrid
Sobretablas, Seville
Best Medium-Sized List
– Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references.
Gold Star:
Moments, Barcelona

What the judges said:
“Well done to the winning list – here's a super selection of wines from both locally and abroad, with renowned and lesser-known producers, a variety of vintages and overall a layout easy to navigate.”
– Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Silver Stars:
Adivino Wine Bar, Marbella
El Molino de Urdániz, Pamplona
Glug, Barcelona
Hotel Finca Cortesin, Casares
Hotel Restaurante Xabier, Navarra
Mina Restaurant, Bilbao
Pascua Restaurante, Salamanca
Restaurante Askua, Valencia
Best Short List
– Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.
Gold Stars:
Piantao Chamberí, Madrid

Suru, Barcelona

What the judges said:
“A very creative, fun, diverse proposal for Madrid with a focus on Argentinean wines (but not exclusively). The Argentinean selection is well made, featuring delicious wines of different regions and styles. The list feels very complete, with great Spanish examples and interesting French producers. Lovely and well done!”
– Paz Levinson on Piantao Chamberí
“There's a clear respect for the environment, hence the selection of low-intervention and natural producers. A concise and well-curated list.”
– Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS on Suru
Silver Stars:
De Vinos, Madrid
Garena Restaurant, Bilbao
Micasita Bar à Vin, Madrid
Sin Mala Uva, Barcelona
Taberna La Montillana, Córdoba
Best By the Glass List
– Recognises the best 'by the glass' list.
Gold Star:
Amelia By Paulo Airaudo, San Sebastián

What the judges said:
“Almost all the wines on this list are available by the glass – this gives you the chance to try young, fresh and youthful wines at reasonable prices, and incredible fine wines such as G. Roumier Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, Château Petrus, Sassicaia, Vega Sicilia and many more. The fact that they offer really old vintages is astonishing and you can discover cult names from Spain, France, Italy and the New World. A cherry on the cake is their by-the-glass selection of sweet wines, fortified wines and also sake.”
– Raimonds Tomsons
Silver Stars:
Berria Wine Bar, Madrid
Hotel Finca Cortesin, Casares
La Vinya del Senyor, Barcelona
Malak, Jaén
Moments, Barcelona
Pascua Restaurante, Salamanca
Público, Barcelona
Restaurante La Lobita, Navaleno
Saddle, Madrid
Best Sparkling Wine List
– Recognises the best list for sparkling wines.
Gold Star:
Berria Wine Bar, Madrid

What the judges said:
“This place deserves the Best Sparkling Wine List award for the diversity of its sparkling wines, covering the entire Spanish territory, its impressive verticals featuring the most sought-after vignerons, and the prestige cuvées from the great maisons; not to mention its ability to procure unique sparkling ‘unicorns.’ It is a true wine temple, a luxurious haven for discerning palates.”
– Ferran Centelles
Silver Stars:
Ambivium, Peñafiel
Amelia By Paulo Airaudo, San Sebastián
Bodega El Capricho, Jiménez de Jamuz
Hotel Finca Cortesin, Casares
La Vinya del Senyor, Barcelona
Moments, Barcelona
Restaurante La Lobita, Navaleno
Saddle, Madrid
Sobretablas, Seville
Best Newcomer List
– Recognises a venue that has recently opened.
Gold Star:
Pascua Restaurante, Salamanca

What the judges said:
“This place stands out with its remarkable wine list. It features a curated selection of outstanding Spanish wines, rare finds, and small producers, designed to delight customers in a warm and elegant atmosphere. Its international wine selection is equally remarkable – not for its size but for the care and expertise behind each choice.”
– Ferran Centelles
Silver Stars:
Adivino Wine Bar, Marbella
Brach Madrid, Madrid
Eldelmar - Hermanos Torres, Barcelona
Glug, Barcelona
La Palma de Bellafila, Barcelona
Público, Barcelona
Sin Mala Uva, Barcelona
Sustainable Wine List
– Recognises a wine list that has put extra emphasis on the wine program’s overall impact, including vine growing, winemaking, packaging and transport.
This category is presented by Familia Torres.
Gold Star:
Bar La Sang, Palma de Mallorca

What the judges said:
“A great proposal with many local wines, mostly from small producers and those with a natural winemaking orientation. Spanish wines sit alongside great wines from outside the country, all following the same philosophy. It is so nice to see Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, etc. coexisting with one idea behind them. A very good selection!”
– Paz Levinson
Silver Stars:
Callizo, Huesca
El Molino de Urdániz, Pamplona
Mina Restaurant, Bilbao
Muñeca Brava, Madrid
Taberna La Montillana, Córdoba
Best Austrian Wine List
– Recognises the best list for wines from Austria.
This category is presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star:
Berria Wine Bar, Madrid

What the judges said:
“The winning list has a great selection, especially the whites, with some really exciting verticals – this is definitely Spain's number one place for Austrian-wine lovers.”
– Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS
Silver Stars:
Ambivium, Peñafiel
Bar La Sang, Palma de Mallorca
La Vinya del Senyor, Barcelona
Moments, Barcelona
Categories and criteria
Star Wine List judges the wine lists in several categories such as the Best Sparkling Wine List and Best By the Glass List. These categories are the same across all of the awards. In addition, local categories may be added. We have commercial partners for certain categories, such as the Best Austrian Wine List, presented by Austrian Wine. The commercial partners are, however, never involved in the selections of finalists or winners — that is completely up to our independent jury panel.
The criteria for the jury are straightforward but not simple: vote for the most exciting wine list representing the category.
The winners in the international categories will qualify for our International Final in June 2025, where they will face off with the category winners from other countries and continents.
Read about the terms and how Star Wine List judges the wine lists here.
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