“Connoisseurship and curiosity” impress the judges at Star Wine List of the Year UAE 2025
On Monday 8 December, Star Wine List named the best wine lists in the United Arab Emirates at an awards ceremony in Dubai, presented by Best Sommelier of the World Raimonds Tomsons. So, who received our Gold Stars?
The third edition of Star Wine List of the Year UAE took place at Sexy Fish Dubai this week, celebrating the teams behind the top wine lists in the country.
Star Wine List’s Founder and Publisher, Krister Bengtsson was joined for the event by two members of the four-strong jury panel – Raimonds Tomsons (current Best Sommelier of the World, ASI) and Vincent Truong (a noted local wine expert who also judged last year’s competition) – who helped him announce our winners.
Raimonds and Vincent had been joined by sommeliers Salvatore Castano and Mikk Parre in judging the submitted wine lists, both of whom are former winners of the Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa contest (ASI).
“The wine scenes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have developed to a highly sophisticated level,” says Raimonds, “defined by world-class restaurants and wine bars showcasing wine lists with incredible regional depth. These wine programmes showcase everything from focused and exciting newcomer lists to expansive and long selections containing comprehensive verticals, mature vintages, and benchmark producers across Europe and key emerging regions of the world.
“The wine lists demonstrate a market that values both connoisseurship and curiosity and, with their knowledgeable teams and openness to global trends, these cities have established themselves as some of the most dynamic wine destinations in the world.”
After a smashing debut at last year’s competition, just weeks after opening its doors, Dubai’s FZN by Björn Frantzén dominated once again, earning Gold Stars for the Best Long List and Best Sparkling Wine List (both for the second time).
There were also double wins for BOCA, which was recognised for its selection of Spanish wines and, for the second year running, its commitment to sustainability, and for Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, for its Bordeaux and California sections.
These are all of our winners in the United Arab Emirates, who can all be located on our winners’ map.
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Best Long List
For wine lists with more than 600 references
A category presented by Château d’Esclans
Gold Star:
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
What the winners said:
“Thank you so much. It’s an amazing privilege to win but it’s also an amazing privilege to be a part of a community like this, especially one that’s growing so much in this country and in the region. It’s been an amazing year – winning three [Michelin] stars, winning all of the awards and recognition, it’s been a stellar experience. And it’s always the team that makes a dream work, so I’ve got to give props to everyone.”
– Kyle Barton, FZN by Björn Frantzén
What the judges said:
“This wine list demonstrates the hallmarks of a truly world-class list: clarity in structure, depth across key regions, and a precise balance between benchmark producers, mature vintages, and contemporary talent. The Burgundy and Bordeaux sections are exceptionally detailed, Champagne and the Northern Rhône are rigorously represented, and the international elements add range without diluting focus. The list integrates icons, rarities, and thoughtful value selections, and its scale is matched by a professional technical precision reflective of a programme built with both ambition and expertise.”
– Raimonds Tomsons
Silver Stars:
Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Amazónico, Dubai
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
Il Ristorante - Niko Romito, Dubai
Kira Restaurant, Dubai
Nobu, Dubai
Ristorante L'Olivo at Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Sexy Fish, Dubai
Best Medium-Sized List
Recognises the best wine list with 200-600 references
Gold Star:
LPM, Abu Dhabi
What the winners said:
“I expected to come here and have a nice glass of Champagne, not to stand up on stage, talking to all these people. So it’s a very pleasant surprise. Thank you for organising this, Star Wine List – it’s an amazing event. And it’s already been mentioned here that the focus should be on some of these unknown regions that can sometimes be overlooked; LPM is very much from the South of France so I think we manage to cover some of these things, while just keeping things simple and guest-focused.”
– Ognjen Samardzic, LPM Abu Dhabi
What the judges said:
“It's not easy to win a broad category prize when you have the very specific Mediterranean philosophy that this place has. But what they do, they do incredibly well, with unique and precisely curated picks at a quality-to-price ratio that makes wine lovers feel like the focus is on them.”
– Vincent Truong
Silver Stars:
Birch Restaurant, Dubai
BOCA, Dubai
Clap, Dubai
HANU, Dubai
La Dame De Pic, Dubai
Maison Dali, Dubai
Row on 45, Dubai
SAL, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Signor Sassi, Dubai
TakaHisa, Dubai
Zuma, Dubai
Best Short List
Recognises the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings
Gold Star:
Tresind Studio, Dubai
What the winners said:
“Thank you Star Wine List for coming to Dubai and giving us this award. I have nothing to do with wines, I just look after the restaurant and the somm that we have is on holidays at the moment so I had to come. I just like to drink so thank you – thank you!”
– Vipin Panwar, Tresind Studio
What the judges said:
“A compact yet remarkably well-curated list that is precise, elegant and intelligently priced, showcasing a thoughtful selection process and good vintage depth, including some remarkable older bottles.”
– Mikk Parre
Silver Stars:
Akira Back, Dubai
Dragonfly, Dubai
Moonrise, Dubai
Revolver, Dubai
Roka, Dubai
StreetXO, Dubai
TERO (The Experience by Reif Othman), Dubai
Best Sparkling Wine List
Recognises the best list for sparkling wines
A category presented by Perrier-Jouët
Gold Star:
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
What the winners said:
“Champagne is something we’re incredibly proud of and love to serve. It’s something we’ve got a lot of passion about, so we also want to educate and really push the boundaries of what can be shown in a restaurant in terms of our selection. Especially coming from Australia, we have a lot of producers [from around the world] now coming towards really interesting and quality-driven styles, which you see of course in England and throughout Spain as well.”
– Kyle Barton, FZN by Björn Frantzén
What the judges said:
“A meticulously crafted and exceptionally informative list of sparkling wines. We can find both classics and rare, cult Champagne verticals, complemented by broad and well-considered by-the-glass and international selections.”
– Mikk Parre
Silver Stars:
Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Birch Restaurant, Dubai
BOCA, Dubai
Clap, Dubai
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
Kira Restaurant, Dubai
Ossiano, Dubai
Ristorante L'Olivo at Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Row on 45, Dubai
SAL, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
TakaHisa, Dubai
Zuma, Dubai
Best By-the-Glass List
Recognises the best ‘by-the-glass’ list
Gold Star:
Row on 45, Dubai
What the winners said:
“We’ve been talking about non-alcoholic wines in Dubai for quite a long time. And actually, our programme is a little bit different by pouring non-alcoholic wines in-house, which has nothing to do with wines – we always start with natural produce, such as tea and juices, and also what goes well with our pairings; and actually, it matches the food quite nicely. And so does wine as well!”
– Lorenzo Abussi, Row on 45
What the judges said:
“This by-the-glass list stands out for its balance of quality and inclusivity. Alongside an exceptional range of wines, it features impressive non-alcoholic and fortified options.”
– Salvatore Castano
Silver Stars:
BOCA, Dubai
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
HANU, Dubai
Kira Restaurant, Dubai
L'Amo Bistro Del Mare, Dubai
La Dame De Pic, Dubai
Signor Sassi, Dubai
SUSHISAMBA, Dubai
Zuma, Abu Dhabi
Zuma, Dubai
Best Newcomer List
Recognises a venue that has recently opened
Gold Star:
Kira Restaurant, Dubai
What the winners said:
“Thank you so much. Yeah, we have been building our wine programme at Kira and we opened in March, with a very difficult opening, so it was also a very good part to be surrounded by very good sommeliers to make a good opening. And we are going to improve better and better, to have a better and better list next year.”
– Rui Belem, Kira Restaurant
What the judges said:
“This wine list is an impressively structured and contemporary programme, bringing clarity to a wide spectrum of regions, varieties, and styles. From a standout sake selection to a global range of benchmark producers and emerging voices, the list offers both depth and accessibility. Its strength lies in thoughtful curation: the classic regions of Europe are incredibly well defined and represented, Napa is confidently represented, and wines of the Southern Hemisphere add great diversity. With smart pricing, large formats, and a mix of icons and discoveries, this team presents a modern and engaging wine programme.”
– Raimonds Tomsons
Silver Stars:
Birch Restaurant, Dubai
Dragonfly, Dubai
HANU, Dubai
Il Gattopardo, Dubai
Maison Dali, Dubai
Revolver, Dubai
SUSHISAMBA, Abu Dhabi
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:
BOCA, Dubai
What the winners said:
“Dubai is not necessarily a place that sells sustainability. We are obviously seen as a modern city, a city that is about everything new, where a lot of people tell us we’re about new buildings and stuff like that, but a lot of people are doing incredible work in terms of looking at farming, looking at waste. And the same goes for our wine programme. I think it’s a good extension of what we’ve been doing – it’s a great story that extends beyond recycling, at looking at sourcing – it’s talking about farming, what’s happening in the soil, what’s happening in terms of agriculture. So these are really the stories that we carry within the wine programme.”
– Omar Shihab, BOCA
What the judges said:
“We voted this list as the best wine programme for sustainability because this restaurant truly cares about the planet. Their focus on reducing emissions and their recycling programme are among the best in the area – a model for others to follow.”
– Salvatore Castano
Best Italian Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Italy
Gold Star:
Il Gattopardo, Dubai
What the judges said:
“A powerhouse list showcasing an exceptional range of renowned producers, deep verticals, and impressive breadth across nearly all styles and regions Italy has to offer.”
– Mikk Parre
Silver Stars:
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
Il Ristorante - Niko Romito, Dubai
Isola Ristorante, Dubai
L'Amo Bistro Del Mare, Dubai
Ristorante L'Olivo at Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Signor Sassi, Dubai
Special Jury Prize
Rewards a wine lovers’ place that does something out of the ordinary
Gold Star:
Nobu Dubai
What the winners said:
“Well, first of all, getting passionate people like the ones I have on the team definitely makes the difference. And we just try to focus on showcasing all the world of wine and not just certain regions that you always see represented in most of the menus. It’s great to participate for another year in the competition and hopefully we’ll come back next year stronger as well.”
– Guillermo Perez, Nobu Dubai
What the judges said:
“Given the challenges of building a truly unique wine list in the UAE, passionate wine consumers are always on the lookout for venues offering something different and new – and at a decent price. This wine list excels across multiple regions and wine styles in offering specifically that: unique selections with competitive pricing for the market.”
– Vincent Truong
LOCAL CATEGORIES:
Best California Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of California, USA
A category presented by Pahlmeyer
Gold Star:
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
What the winners said:
“We would like to extend our selection in the coming months and we are really proud of how many wines we do have from California, particularly, in our cellar. Thank you for this award.”
– Iuliia Nedumova, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
What the judges said:
“This Californian section presents a remarkably comprehensive overview of the state’s wine landscape. It covers the key AVAs – from Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley, to the Santa Cruz Mountains and the full breadth of Napa Valley – showcasing an incredible wealth of benchmark producers, diverse terroirs, vintage ranges, bottle formats, and wine styles including red, white and even sparkling. The selection balances cult estates with emerging names, offering both depth and accessibility. It is a carefully structured and curated collection that captures the ambition and beauty of Californian winemaking.”
– Raimonds Tomsons
Silver Stars:
Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Amazónico, Dubai
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
HANU, Dubai
Nobu, Dubai
Ossiano, Dubai
Row on 45, Dubai
SUSHISAMBA, Dubai
Zuma, Dubai
Best Spanish Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Spain
A category presented by Familia Torres
Gold Star:
BOCA, Dubai
What the winners said:
“Thank you. I think this recognises that a lot is happening in Spain and I think it’s very important in the wine world because Spain is also championing regional agriculture, and a lot of the new regions are using Spain as a kind of benchmark to bring out new wines. So feel free to come have a glass!”
– Shiv Menon, BOCA
What the judges said:
“Unsurpassed breadth across Spanish regions and wine styles, from El Bierzo to the Basque Country, from Corpinnat to sherry, as well as precise curation and the who's who of cult Spanish wine producers.”
– Vincent Truong
Silver Stars:
Al Muntaha, Burj Al Arab, Dubai
Amazónico, Dubai
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
Kira Restaurant, Dubai
La Mar Dubai by Gastón Acurio, Dubai
Nobu, Dubai
Studio Frantzén, Dubai
Best Bordeaux Wine List
Recognises the best list for the wines of Bordeaux, France
A category presented by Château Tour des Termes
Gold Star:
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Dubai
What the winners said:
“It’s amazing. It’s a new category this year. We are big fans of Bordeaux wines. I normally work more in the style of Bordeaux. I know many sommeliers work with Burgundy so I’m very happy for this award and to showcase great producers.”
– Arturo Scamardella, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
What the judges said:
“An outstanding range of Bordeaux wines showcasing great producers and vintages across not only the reds, but also the whites and sweet wines.”
– Salvatore Castano
Silver Stars:
Amazónico, Dubai
Carine Restaurant, Dubai
COYA, Abu Dhabi
COYA, Dubai
FZN by Björn Frantzén, Dubai
HANU, Dubai
Kira Restaurant, Dubai
La Dame De Pic, Dubai
Row on 45, Dubai
Expert jury panel
- Raimonds Tomsons – Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI)
- Mikk Parre – Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI)
- Salvatore Castano – Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa 2021 (ASI)
- Vincent Truong – Dubai-based wine expert and educator
Rules
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Star Wine List of the Year 2025/’26
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Château d’Esclans
Read more about Château d’Esclans by clicking on the logo.
Château Tour des Termes
Château Tour des Termes is located north of Bordeaux in one of Saint-Estèphe's great terroirs. Recently acquired by Irish green entrepreneur Dr Eddie O'Connor, the team is dedicated to the future, focusing on sustainable and detail-oriented viticulture.
Torres
Read more about Familia Torres by clicking on the logo.
Perrier-Jouët
Read more about Perrier-Jouët by clicking on the logo.
