The best wine lists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland – the Gold Star winners
On May 25, Star Wine List came to Vienna and celebrated the best wine lists of Germany, Austria and Switzerland and the teams behind them. The celebration was held during VieVinum. 122 wine lists joined the competition and 46 made it to the finals – and here are all the winners!
"It was very fascinating to go through the wine lists of Austria, Switzerland and Germany, and to really see how considerate sommeliers creating these lists are. The overall quality is excellent and apart from some spelling issues, the clarity and the variety of choice and depth is comparable to other top wine lists around the world," said Heidi Mäkinen MW, part of the four-headed jury panel, about judging the competition.
Her fellow jury member Manu Rosier, also Star Wine List's ambassador in Berlin, agreed:
"The overall quality of the wine lists this year was exceptional. It added this difficulty for us to judge this year, which made it all more fun and exciting. We also see some new winners, which shows that a wine list never sleeps and new exciting concepts are coming to live every year. Well done to all the finalists and to all the venues that have submitted their wine lists. I can't wait for next year!" he said.
The jury panel also consisted of:
• Véronique Rivest, top Canadian sommelier
• Reeze Choi, third Best Sommelier of the World 2023 (ASI)
"What a difficult task this has been! But a rejoicing one too. The quality level of these lists is incredibly high, and makes it difficult to choose. Kudos to all participants: you definitely make us want to visit," said Véronique Rivest about her jury duty.
Germany, Austria and Switzerland are included in our 2023-2024 International tour, and this was the third time we were running it in Germany and Austria, and the second time for Switzerland. There was one winner per country in each category, except the Sustainable Wine List and Grand Prix categories, which had one winner for the entire region.
And now – here are all the wine lists that won Gold Stars:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES:
Grand Prix
– The best list overall
The category is presented by Premium Estates of Austria
Gold Star:
Grapes Weinbar, Munich, Germany
"This is a comprehensive wine bible. The wine selection is from all different continents, and even includes Asian wine. Most importantly: the clear layout and the well-organised arrangement on the wine list format and design, everyone can easily find their favourite bottle from such a long list," said the jury's Reeze Choi about the winning list.
Best Long List
– For wine lists with more than 600 references.
Gold Star Germany and DACH overall:
Grapes Weinbar, Munich, Germany
"This wine list has grown over the years into a very exciting, well-presented, well-curated and considered list. This prize is the result of hard work paying off. Well done!" said Manu Rosier.
Gold Star Austria:
Heunisch & Erben, Vienna, Austria
"For a long wine list, diversity is always very important, and this is the wine list that we are very happy to read. Besides a comprehensive selection of Austrian wine, there is also wine from many different countries. It also has a very clear layout, very easy to access with the little detail of the alcohol content on each item," said Reeze Choi.
Gold Star Switzerland:
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau, Switzerland
"A very impressive, extensive list of great classics, with rarely seen depth. Even though this is a huge list, each single wine is of interest, to say the least! Outstanding Champagne and Swiss wine selections too," said Véronique Rivest.
Silver Stars:
Die Weinbank, Ehrenhausen, Austria
Es:senz, Grassau, Germany
Freundschaft, Berlin, Germany
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin, Germany
Restaurant Amador, Vienna, Austria
Steirereck, Vienna, Austria
Sticks & Stones Winebar, Munich, Germany
Tantris Maison Culinaire, Munich, Germany
The Chedi Andermatt, Andermatt, Switzerland
Wunderbrunnen, Opfikon, Switzerland
Best Medium-Sized List
– Recognizes the best wine list with 200-600 references.
Gold Star Germany and DACH overall:
Horváth, Berlin, Germany
"A very interesting list with a great selection from all over Europe. There is even a Nordic winery on the list. If you pay attention when you read the wine list, you will find plenty of hidden gems," said Reeze Choi.
Gold Star Austria:
Restaurant Esskultur, St.jakob In Haus, Austria
"A wine list that impresses with lots of personal notes and information, and great design, making it a real joy to read. Impressive focus on Austrian wine with a wide and deep selection," said Véronique Rivest.
Gold Star Switzerland:
Colonnade, Lucerne, Switzerland
"This is a very exciting wine list showcasing many interesting producers, also with some learning opportunities for the reader. Great diversity with balance between international and local representation," said Heidi Mäkinen MW.
Silver Stars:
Cafe Gupi, Weil am Rhein, Germany
Heimlich Wirt, Gols, Austria
Kinfelts Kitchen & Wine, Hamburg, Germany
O Boufés, Vienna, Austria
Silex Restaurant, Zürich, Switzerland
The Counter, Zürich, Switzerland
Best Short List
– Recognizes the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.
Gold Star Germany and DACH overall:
Barra, Berlin, Germany
"All the judges fell in love with this list. Focused on small scale producers, this venue has written a wine list which is inviting and intriguing," said Manu Rosier.
Gold Star Austria:
Weinrefugium Brolli, Gamlitz, Austria
"This is a topical wine list following what's currently relevant in the wine world. For a compact list, the selection is very well made," said Heidi Mäkinen MW.
Silver Stars:
Café Florianihof, Vienna, Austria
FREA, Berlin, Germany
Hallmann & Klee, Berlin, Germany
ORA Wine Bar and Restaurant, Berlin, Germany
Restaurant Kornati, Graz, Austria
Sky Kitchen, Berlin, Germany
Best Austrian Wine List outside Austria
– Recognizes the best list with wines from Austria
The category is presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star Germany and DACH overall:
Freundschaft, Berlin, Germany
"This list shows Austrian wine in its amazing diversity featuring classics, mature vintages, and the most relevant names of today," said Heidi Mäkinen MW.
Gold Star Switzerland:
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau, Switzerland
"An excellent Austrian wine list offering nice verticalities and matured wines," said Manu Rosier.
Silver Stars:
Dorfhus Gupf, Rehetobel, Switzerland
Es:senz, Grassau, Germany
Grapes Weinbar, Munich, Germany
ROCAILLE Café Bistrot Wine bar, Düsseldorf, Germany
Romantik Hotel Schloss Hohenstein, Ahorn, Germany
Witwenball, Hamburg, Germany
Wunderbrunnen, Opfikon, Switzerland
Best Sparkling Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with sparkling wines.
The category is presented by Nyetimber
Gold Star Austria and DACH overall:
Restaurant Amador, Vienna, Austria
"An absolutely lovely list of bubbles, with a great mix of big houses and growers. Width and depth in Champagne, as well as an excellent selection of Austrian and European sparkling wines," said jury member Véronique Rivest about the winning list.
Gold Star Germany:
Grapes Weinbar, Munich, Germany
"What is great about the winning wine list is that it pays equal respect to both champagnes and other international sparkling wines with carefully made choices. One can enjoy an exclusive bottle of a collector champagne, opt for a pet-nat from up and coming producer, or choose anything in between," said the jury's Heidi Mäkinen MW.
Gold Star Switzerland:
The Chedi Andermatt, Andermatt, Switzerland
"A very complete list with a strong focus on Champagne. Many sparkling wines from around the world are also featured, making it all the more attractive," said Manu Rosier.
Silver Stars:
Die Weinbank, Ehrenhausen, Austria
Es:senz, Grassau, Germany
Griggeler Stuba im Burg Vital Resort, Lech am Arlberg, Austria
Nobelhart und Schmutzig, Berlin, Germany
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau, Switzerland
Wunderbrunnen, Opfikon, Switzerland
Best California Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from California
The category is presented by Louis M. Martini
Gold Star Switzerland and DACH overall:
Napa Grill, Zürich, Switzerland
"Usually you can only find such a comprehensive list of Californian wines in California. Besides the great work to collect the full range of Californian wine, the wine list design is lovely, very nice with descriptions on each AVA," said jury member Reeze Choi.
Gold Star Austria:
Griggeler Stuba im Burg Vital Resort, Lech am Arlberg, Austria
"The Californian choices on this list are quite classic and fine, showing how compelling world class wines the region is able to craft," said Heidi Mäkinen MW.
Gold Star Germany:
Sticks & Stones Winebar, Munich, Germany
"Rich and complete, this list allows the customer for both a peak in history and a view to the future," said Manu Rosier.
Silver Stars:
Döllerer, Golling an der Salzach, Austria
Grapes Weinbar, Munich, Germany
Guido al Duomo, Munich, Germany
Kronenschlösschen, Eltville-Hattenheim, Germany
Park Hotel Vitznau, Vitznau, Switzerland
Restaurant Amador, Vienna, Austria
The Chedi Andermatt, Andermatt, Switzerland
Best By the Glass List
– Recognizes the best by the glass list.
Gold Star Germany and DACH overall:
Sticks & Stones Winebar, Munich, Germany
"This is quite simply an unbeatable BTG selection! Almost everything on the wine list can be poured with Coravin, including a very wide and deep range of older vintages," said Véronique Rivest of the jury.
Gold Star Austria:
Heunisch & Erben, Vienna, Austria
"Classic, yet adventurous, from natural to more conventional wine producers, from the famous Achtel to the Viertel, this list offers many choices to their guests by the glass," said Manu Rosier.
Gold Star Switzerland:
Wunderbrunnen, Opfikon, Switzerland
"Besides a full range of local wine, there is a huge range of wine from the rest of the world. There is plenty of wine for customers to choose from. Never easy to run such a big wine by the glass list! And there is even an Asian selection," said Reeze Choi.
Silver Stars:
Bar Rique Winehouse, Bremen, Germany
Colonnade, Lucerne, Switzerland
Grapes Weinbar, Munich, Germany
Griggeler Stuba im Burg Vital Resort, Lech am Arlberg, Austria
The Chedi Andermatt, Andermatt, Switzerland
The Ritz-Carlton, Vienna, Austria
Best Newcomer List
– Recognizes a venue that recently opened
The category is presented by DAOU
Gold Star Switzerland and DACH overall:
Colonnade, Lucerne, Switzerland
"This wine has a lovely design, with information of the regions and a beautiful wine map. Besides the classic local wines, it is also listing wines from different countries to have a great diversity. Well done on sourcing the wine and turning it into a great wine list," says the jury's Reeze Choi.
Gold Star Austria:
nineOfive Vienna, Vienna, Austria
"A very well-curated list, great to see as part of a restaurant group. All very good producers, with a focus on low intervention and natural wines. Fun and very affordable, with a short but well chosen BTG list," said Véronique Rivest.
Gold Star Germany:
Sticks & Stones Winebar, Munich, Germany
"This wine list calls for an immediate visit and is very unique in its broad spectrum of exciting grower producers. The list shows how much work a great wine list requires and stands as a great example of the work of a committed sommelier," said Heidi Mäkinen MW.
Silver Stars:
Bar Rique Winehouse, Bremen, Germany
Grace La Margna St. Moritz, St. Moritz, Switzerland
Matière, Geneva, Switzerland
Mazerat Wein.Wirt, Kufstein, Austria
Verōnika by Fotografiska, Berlin, Germany
Sustainable Wine List
– For the Sustainable Wine List category, not only the wine list is evaluated, but also the stated actions of the venue, as described through a questionnaire in the application.
The category is presented by Lingua Franca
Gold Star:
Barra, Berlin, Germany
"What a refreshing, authentic and no-nonsense approach. And not just a vision, but real action. The wine list is voluntarily small, wines are all from highly sustainable growers, some is sourced in bulk, and overall beverages have a strong local, low environmental impact focus," said jury member Véronique Rivest.
Silver Stars:
Die Weinbank, Ehrenhausen, Austria
FREA, Berlin, Germany
Event media partner was the sommelier community Kalk & Kegel.
Categories and criteria
Star Wine List judges the wine lists in several categories such as the Best Sparkling Wine List and Best By the Glass List. These categories are the same across all of the awards. In addition, local categories may be added. We have commercial partners for certain categories, such as the Best Austrian Wine List, presented by Austrian Wine. The commercial partners are, however, never involved in the selections of finalists or winners — that is completely up to our independent jury panel.
The criteria for the jury are straightforward but not simple: Vote for the most exciting wine list representing the category.
The winners in the international categories will qualify for our International Final in June 2024, where they will face off with the category winners from other countries and continents.
Read about the terms and how Star Wine List judges the wine lists here.
Do like the Pros - search 2500+ wine lists
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.
Nyetimber
English sparkling producer Nyetimber is the leading producer of sparkling wine in the country.
Louis M. Martini
Louis M. Martini is an iconic Californian wine producer. Read more by clicking on the logo.
DAOU
Read more about DAOU by clicking on the logo.
