The International Open finalists 2026 – Europe
While we are hosting many awards events across Europe during this season’s tour, we can’t get everywhere in person. Never fear – that’s where the International Open comes in. These are the restaurants and bars up for Gold Stars in the rest of Europe. Who will be going through to our International Final in June? Find out on 2 February.
The Star Wine List of the Year International Open ensures that our wine list competition leaves no corner of the globe unturned. These are the European venues that our judges have shortlisted for Gold Stars, spanning the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Malta and Slovakia.
Our Gold Star winners will be revealed on 2 February, and subsequently entered into the Star Wine List of the Year International Final in June 2026.
Who are they? Take a look.
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Best Long List
For wine lists with more than 600 references
Finalists:
Duomo, Ragusa, Italy
ECK Restaurant, Devín, Slovakia
MacCurtain Wine Cellar, Cork, Ireland
Minne Champagne & Wine, Helsinki, Finland
Moss Restaurant, Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland
Prado Restaurante, Lisbon, Portugal
Ristorante Albòri, Bellagio, Italy
Savoy, Helsinki, Finland
Trattoria al Cacciatore della Subida, Cormons, Italy
Umberto a Mare, Forio, Italy
Best Medium-Sized List
Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references
Finalists:
Bar Pez, Dublin, Ireland
Café Savoy, Helsinki, Finland
Café Savoy Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Country Terrace, Ghajnsielem, Malta
Demo, Helsinki, Finland
F.X. Buckley Pembroke Street, Dublin, Ireland
Hydra - Fine Food & Wine Cellar, Salerno, Italy
Mokotowska 69, Warsaw, Poland
Parra Wine Bistro, Lisbon, Portugal
Rocco, Lisbon, Portugal
Rosa Madre, Dublin, Ireland
Rozbrat 20, Warsaw, Poland
Szara Gęś, Kraków, Poland
Tomkat, Lucca, Italy
Best Short List
Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
Finalists:
Bistronomy, Bratislava, Slovakia
Butchery & Wine, Warsaw, Poland
FOLGA, Kraków, Poland
Liath Restaurant, Dublin, Ireland
Pöllöwaari, Jyväskylä, Finland
Restaurant Nolita, Helsinki, Finland
Vinho, Turku, Finland
Wierzynek, Kraków, Poland
Best Sparkling Wine List
Recognises the best list for sparkling wines
Finalists:
Café Savoy Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Duomo, Ragusa, Italy
ECK Restaurant, Devín, Slovakia
Minne Champagne & Wine, Helsinki, Finland
Pedro Lemos, Porto, Portugal
Prado Restaurante, Lisbon, Portugal
Restaurant Muru, Helsinki, Finland
Ristorante Albòri, Bellagio, Italy
Savoy, Helsinki, Finland
Trattoria al Cacciatore della Subida, Cormons, Italy
Umberto a Mare, Forio, Italy
Best By-the-Glass List
Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list
Finalists:
Bar Pez, Dublin, Ireland
Butchery & Wine, Warsaw, Poland
Café Savoy Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Demo, Helsinki, Finland
Liath Restaurant, Dublin, Ireland
Moss Restaurant, Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland
Rocco, Lisbon, Portugal
Rozbrat 20, Warsaw, Poland
Szara Gęś, Kraków, Poland
Vinho, Turku, Finland
Vinissimo Restaurant & Wine Bar, Sopot, Poland
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:
Bistronomy, Bratislava, Slovakia
Café Savoy Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Demo, Helsinki, Finland
ECK Restaurant, Devín, Slovakia
Minne Champagne & Wine, Helsinki, Finland
Mokotowska 69, Warsaw, Poland
Rozbrat 20, Warsaw, Poland
Savoy, Helsinki, Finland
Best Italian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy
For venues outside of Italy
Finalists:
Alibertos, Crete, Greece
Bottega Frawli, L-Imġarr, Malta
Country Terrace, Ghajnsielem, Malta
ECK Restaurant, Devín, Slovakia
Mokotowska 69, Warsaw, Poland
Moss Restaurant, Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland
Rosa Madre, Dublin, Ireland
Rozbrat 20, Warsaw, Poland
Savoy, Helsinki, Finland
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
Rules
Read our full terms and conditions here.
Commercial opportunities
Please email us to discuss sponsoring a category in the Star Wine List of the Year International Open 2025.
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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.
