The Best California Wine Lists in Belgium 2025
On 29 September, the winners of Star Wine List of the Year Belgium & Netherlands 2025 were presented with Gold Stars at Zalmhuis restaurant, in Rotterdam. Here is the list in Belgium that impressed the judges with sections dedicated to the wines of California.
Star Wine List of the Year is a competition designed to celebrate the finest wine lists in the world and, of course, the people who create them.
The Best California Wine List category, sponsored in Belgium and the Netherlands by Pahlmeyer, puts a spotlight on the diverse array of wines produced in the US state.
The judges awarded a Gold Star to Wijnbar ONA in Ghent for its “refreshing and youthful take on the Californian wine scene”.
Take a look at the complete list of winners and explore our guide to all of the newly awarded Gold Stars.
Gold Star
Wijnbar ONA, Ghent
Judges’ comments:
“A refreshing and youthful take on the Californian wine scene, offering if not the largest, then definitely one of the most exciting selections from the region.”
– Mikk Parre
Silver Stars
Belgium:
Convento, Leuven
Dome, Antwerp
Paul de Pierre, Maarkedal
The Butcher's Son, Antwerp
Expert jury panel
- Nina Jensen – Second-Best Sommelier of the World, 2019 and 2023 (ASI)
- Mikk Parre – Best Sommelier of Europe, Africa and Middle East 2024 (ASI)
- Toru Takamatsu – Master Sommelier
- Jonathan Gouveia – Master Sommelier
Rules
The rules of the Star Wine List of the Year competition can be read in full, here.
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