Star Wine List of the Year Norway 2025 winners: “much to behold and admire”
On the third stop of our world tour, Norway’s best wine lists were announced at an awards ceremony in Oslo, alongside the Norwegian Sommelier Day. Meet the Gold Star winners.
Star Wine List of the Year Norway 2025 took place on 12 October at Gamle Logen, during the annual Sommelier Day festivities. Gold Stars were presented in 10 international categories, with victories for established wine destinations (and previous winners) Park Hotel Vossevangen, Happolati, Speilsalen at Britannia Hotel and Territoriet, as well as the more recently opened Oslo force Vinland, which took the award for Best By-the-Glass List after being named last season’s global newcomer.
“With a remarkably high proportion of large lists, Norway is home to a high concentration of impressive Burgundy and Champagne collections,” remarked judge Stephen Wong MW.
“The jury had much to behold and admire. The best programmes – of all sizes – go beyond collectible names. These lists are clearly curated by sommeliers who appreciate the increasing complexity of wine, and designed to help customers navigate through that vast diversity.”
Wong judged the competition alongside sommeliers June Rodil MS and Mikk Parre, as well as journalist and local expert Aase E. Jacobsen, Editor-in-Chief of Apéritif magazine.
All of these winners now go into the Star Wine List of the Year International Final – the culmination of our awards tour – which will be held in summer 2026.
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Best Long List
For wine lists with more than 600 references
Gold Star:
Park Hotel Vossevangen, Voss
What the winners said:
“The last couple of weeks, it’s really a pain in the ass to work with a wine list like this! For anyone who’s been there, they’ve probably seen what an astounding wine cellar we have – close to 10,000 different labels, close to 50,000 bottles. And that’s why we need people to come over – we have a lot of wine to share with you all.”
– Reidar Johansen
What the judges said:
“The number of long wine lists in Norway is extremely high, as is the quality of the competition among these finalists, who represent the best of the best. This wine list truly is the very best.”
– Aase E. Jacobsen
Silver Stars:
Grand Café & Vinkjeller, Oslo
Hallingstuene, Geilo
Happolati, Oslo
Hos Moi, Kristiansand
Hotel Bristol, Oslo
Kolonialen Bislett, Oslo
Mon Oncle, Oslo
Plah, Oslo
Smag & Behag Kristiansand, Kristiansand
Speilsalen at Britannia Hotel, Trondheim
Vinland, Oslo
Vino Bar Ålesund, Ålesund
Best Medium-Sized List
Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references
A category presented by Bona Fide Wines
Gold Star:
Bellies, Stavanger
What the winners said:
“We try to base our wine list on our food philosophy. Sometimes it feels too big and sometimes it feels too small, but we’ll see!”
– Christoffer Bergøy
What the judges said:
“This is a producer-driven list with a strong narrative, offering treasures for traditional wine lovers as well as exciting discoveries from rising stars and champions of low-intervention winemaking.”
– Mikk Parre
Silver Stars:
Brasserie Coucou, Oslo
Hyde, Oslo
Kolonihagen Frogner, Oslo
Le Benjamin, Oslo
Mantra by Mr India, Oslo
Oh Dear, Oslo
Spiseriet Stavanger, Stavanger
Spontan, Trondheim
Territoriet, Oslo
Varemottaket, Oslo
Best Short List
Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
A category presented by Vinify
Gold Star:
Zarathustra Meyhane, Oslo
What the winners said:
“For us, we’re so specific and try to get the most out of flavours. Quality always comes first, and the price has to be right, for us and also for the end consumer as well.”
– Viktor Aarseth
What the judges said:
“A bold and distinctive focus that seamlessly complements the overall concept. It balances classics from renowned regions with thrilling, off-the-beaten-path selections for the adventurous wine lover.”
– Mikk Parre
Silver Stars:
Allmuen Bistro, Bergen
Eero Restaurant, Oslo
Fat City, Oslo
Jest, Bergen
La Recette, Kristiansand
Lasarett Vinbar, Oslo
Liminal, Oslo
Madonna, Oslo
Best Sparkling Wine List
Recognises the best list for sparkling wines
A category presented by Nyetimber
Gold Star:
Speilsalen at Britannia Hotel, Trondheim
What the winners said:
“Thank you so much. We opened in 2019 and it’s been a passion of mine for my whole career – there’s something very special about sparkling wine. Also to see the element of sparkling wine outside of Champagne. I try to mix it up and show something new, and I also have a true passion for British sparkling wine. It’s such an amazing thing, to defend this Gold Star! I’m really, really happy.”
– Thomas Andersen
What the judges said:
“This restaurant is among the most elegant in Norway, and the sparkling wine list reflects this. The curation and number of wines is unquestionably world class.”
– Aase E. Jacobsen
Silver Stars:
Arakataka, Oslo
Hos Moi, Kristiansand
Hyde, Oslo
Kolonialen Bislett, Oslo
Mon Oncle, Oslo
Park Hotel Vossevangen, Voss
Vinland, Oslo
Vino Bar Ålesund, Ålesund
Best By-the-Glass List
Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list
A category presented by Riedel
Gold Star:
Vinland, Oslo
What the winners said:
“We have an idea that the by-the-glass selection should represent the wine list, and should be the same ethos as the wine list. And at Vinland, we think that wine should be accessible.”
– Francesco Marzola
What the judges said:
“A glass-pour list showing dedicated curation while also offering a vast amount of choice in still wines. Spanning fresh discoveries and mature vintages, both classics and new wave producers share the page. Most admirably, the selection devotes attention to regions outside Europe as well. This wine programme is a star on the ascendant!”
– Stephen Wong MW
Silver Stars:
Frances Vinbar, Oslo
Grand Café & Vinkjeller, Oslo
Kastellet, Oslo
Kontrast, Oslo
Kork Vinbar & Scene, Rørvik
Lasarett Vinbar, Oslo
Norvald Vinbar, Stavanger
Park Hotel Vossevangen, Voss
Territoriet, Oslo
The Red Dot Wine Bar, Kristiansand
Vinsmak, Tromsø
Best Newcomer List
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
Gold Star:
Kombo, Trondheim
What the winners said:
“I think [the wine scene’s] really different [these days].”
– Fredrik Aanstad Rabben
What the judges said:
“A beautifully balanced wine list that shows surprising maturity for such a fresh programme. Built on a strong foundation, it already delights both seasoned connoisseurs and casual wine lovers alike.”
– Mikk Parre
Silver Stars:
B VIN, Oslo
La Recette, Kristiansand
Stranden 30, Oslo
Wining, Oslo
Sustainability Prize
Assesses the sustainable commitment of both the wine list and broader venue via a supplementary questionnaire submitted during the application process
Gold Star:
Restaurant K2, Stavanger
What the winners said:
“I think the most important thing is to work with winemakers who think about everything.”
– César Garduño
What the judges said:
“This winner has sustainability in its DNA, with the concept already built in during the planning stages. It’s a strategy that has given us some of the best food in Norway, and at the pinnacle of sustainability.”
– Aase E. Jacobsen
Silver Stars:
Bellies, Stavanger
Buer Restaurant, Odda
Kontrast, Oslo
Pillefyken, Oslo
TempoTempo, Bergen
Best Austrian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Austria
A category presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star:
Happolati, Oslo
What the winners said:
“This wouldn’t be possible without the team. Thank you so much.”
– Tone Blixøen
What the judges said:
“This list masterfully presents Austria in a modern light, focusing on great producers and offering plenty of mature white wines while also introducing wine lovers to good Austrian reds, sparkling and mash-ferments. This has clearly been put together by someone who deeply understands the country’s diverse range of styles and regions.”
– Stephen Wong MW
Silver Stars:
Hermetikken Restaurant, Stavanger
Hos Moi, Kristiansand
Park Hotel Vossevangen, Voss
Plah, Oslo
Vinland, Oslo
Best Italian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy
Gold Star:
Vino Bar Ålesund, Ålesund
What the winners said:
“We actually imported many of the producers from Piedmont. We have everything! There are 2,000 different [references] on the list [overall]. Thank you so much.”
– Jeanette Solheim
What the judges said:
“Italian wines are beloved in Norway and several lists cover the country well among our finalists. This winning list goes beyond the norm, with broader representation across colours and styles, including good finds from less well-known names. It provides excellent exploration opportunities and an exciting view of Italy!”
– Stephen Wong MW
Silver Stars:
Gaffel & Karaffel, Stavanger
Gaustablikk, Rjukan
Grand Café & Vinkjeller, Oslo
Hotel Bristol, Oslo
Kolonialen Bislett, Oslo
Park Hotel Vossevangen, Voss
Smag & Behag Kristiansand, Kristiansand
Speilsalen at Britannia Hotel, Trondheim
Vinland, Oslo
Vinoteket, Oslo
Special Jury Prize
Rewards a wine lovers’ place that does something out of the ordinary
Gold Star:
Territoriet, Oslo
What the winners said:
“People enjoy wine with their friends.”
– Josefine Coward
What the judges said:
“This wine programme is credited with changing the way Norway drinks. Its contribution to the development of the country's wine culture cannot be understated and we are proud to celebrate its continuing commitment to a strong ethos of making great wine accessible – and its fantastic glass-pour selection.”
– Stephen Wong MW
Silver Stars:
Arakataka, Oslo
Glime Restaurant, Hardanger Fjord
Kolonialen Bislett, Oslo
Kolonihagen Frogner, Oslo
Vianvang, Vågå
Vinland, Oslo
Expert jury panel
- Mikk Parre – Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI)
- Aase E. Jacobsen – Editor-in-Chief, Apéritif magazine
- Stephen Wong – Master of Wine
- June Rodil – Master Sommelier
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Cellar management for restaurants, wine shops and private collectors.
