The Best California Wine List in the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands that most impressed the judges through its representation of Californian wines.

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 CUE, Amsterdam, for the “interesting dynamic” of its Napa-oriented list.

Take a look at the complete list of winners and explore our guide to all of the newly awarded Gold Stars.

Gold Star

CUE, Amsterdam

Judges’ comments:
“This list focuses on Napa wines and manages to strike an interesting dynamic. Supported by a thoughtful selection of stellar Pinot Noirs, the producer selection and vintage depth both secure this Star Wine List of the Year win.”
– Nina Jensen

Silver Stars

Brasserie Lalou, Delft
Central Park Voorburg, Voorburg
De Librije, Zwolle
Valuas, Venlo
Zarzo, Eindhoven

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.