The International Open finalists 2026 – Asia
From the Maldives to Kazakhstan, South Korea to Hong Kong, these are the Asian venues in the running for Gold Stars in the Star Wine List of the Year International Open 2026. Meet them all!
Star Wine List of the Year is our awards tour celebrating the top wine lists of the world and, while we’re making a lot of stops on our event tour this season, we don’t want to leave any stone unturned. The International Open includes all regions that we’re not visiting in person, to ensure that we discover the best wine lists there are – wherever they may be.
In Asia, we will be visiting Tokyo and Singapore this April to celebrate the wine lists of Japan and Southeast Asia, respectively. And what about the rest of Asia? Our judges have shortlisted venues in Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Macau, the Maldives, South Korea and Taiwan.
Winners in each category will receive a Gold Star and automatic entry into the Star Wine List of the Year International Final, to be held in June 2026.
Here are this year’s Asian finalists in the International Open.
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Best Long List
For wine lists with more than 600 references
Finalists:
Abay & Inzhu, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Constance Halaveli Maldives, Maldives
Constance Moofushi Maldives, Maldives
Gaddi's, Hong Kong
Louise, Hong Kong
Mesa by José Avillez, Macau
Robuchon au Dôme, Macau
Terroirs by LQV, Hong Kong
Best Medium-Sized List
Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references
Finalists:
Andō, Hong Kong
AUYL, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Belon, Hong Kong
Chesa, Hong Kong
Grand Majestic Sichuan, Hong Kong
Jean-Pierre, Hong Kong
L'atelier par Yao, Taichung, Taiwan
Le Wine Bar by Burgundy Cave, Taipei, Taiwan
Restaurant Allen, Seoul, South Korea
SUT. The Butcher’s Edge, Seoul, South Korea
Yulling, Busan, South Korea
Best Short List
Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
Finalists:
Associazione Chianti, Hong Kong
Brut!, Hong Kong
Buenos Aires Polo Club, Hong Kong
Di Yi Ding, Tainan, Taiwan
Ho Lee Fook, Hong Kong
IRON CHEF Teppanyaki & Wine, Taipei, Taiwan
Prince and the Peacock, Hong Kong
Best Sparkling Wine List
Recognises the best list for sparkling wines
Finalists:
Andō, Hong Kong
Constance Halaveli Maldives, Maldives
Gaddi's, Hong Kong
Justin’s Wine & Bistro, Taipei, Taiwan
L'atelier par Yao, Taichung, Taiwan
Le Wine Bar by Burgundy Cave, Taipei, Taiwan
Louise, Hong Kong
Mesa by José Avillez, Macau
Restaurant Allen, Seoul, South Korea
Villa dei Fiori, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Wine Clubhouse, Seoul, South Korea
Wine Vin, Busan, South Korea
Best By-the-Glass List
Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list
Finalists:
Andō, Hong Kong
Constance Halaveli Maldives, Maldives
Gaddi's, Hong Kong
IRON CHEF Teppanyaki & Wine, Taipei, Taiwan
L'atelier par Yao, Taichung, Taiwan
mato coffee wine, Hong Kong
Mesa by José Avillez, Macau
SUT. The Butcher’s Edge, Seoul, South Korea
Wine Clubhouse, Seoul, South Korea
Best Newcomer List
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
Finalists and winners will be announced together, on 2 February 2026
Sustainability Prize
Assesses the sustainable commitment of both the wine list and broader venue via a supplementary questionnaire submitted during the application process
Finalists and winners will be announced together, on 2 February 2026
Best Austrian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Austria
A category presented by Austrian Wine
Finalists:
Constance Halaveli Maldives, Maldives
Constance Moofushi Maldives, Maldives
Robuchon au Dôme, Macau
Best Italian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy
Finalists:
Abay & Inzhu, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Associazione Chianti, Hong Kong
Constance Halaveli Maldives, Maldives
L'atelier par Yao, Taichung, Taiwan
Mesa by José Avillez, Macau
Robuchon au Dôme, Macau
Villa dei Fiori, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Wine Clubhouse, Seoul, South Korea
Yulling, Busan, South Korea
Special Jury Prize
Rewards a wine lovers’ place that does something out of the ordinary
Finalists and winners will be announced together, on 2 February 2026
Expert jury panel
- Julie Dupouy-Young – four-time Best Sommelier in Ireland; third place at Best Sommelier of the World 2016 (ASI)
- Jonathan Gouveia – Master Sommelier
- Stefan Neumann – Master Sommelier
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