The best wine lists in Sweden – here are the Gold Star winners
On April 8, Star Wine List returned to Sweden to celebrate the best wine lists and the teams behind them for the sixth time. Operakällaren in Stockholm was the big winner with Gold Stars in three categories. PM & Vänner and Bord won two categories each – Bord both Best Short List and the prestigious Grand Prix for best wine list overall.
"This is probably the greatest collection of wine lists I have ever seen," said jury member Rajat Parr.
His fellow jury member Nina Højgaard Jensen said:
"Judging Star Wine List of the Year Sweden this time has been just incredible. There are so many amazing wine lists out there, and the competition has been strong. The level of knowledge is extremely high, but there's also a lot of character and maturity behind the approach. It seems like wine secrets going under the radar, waiting to be discovered, can be found in Sweden. And the fun thing is that these great wine lists can be found all around Sweden, this is really a national thing."
Sweden is a part of our 2023-2024 International tour of wine lists celebrations including South Africa, UK and New York to name a few. Star Wine List of the Year Sweden was held in Stockholm on April 8, and this year saw a record number of finalists – with far more than 100 wine lists entering the competition, the jury selected a record number of finalists: 59!
"It is the sixth time we are celebrating the wine lists in Sweden and the great teams behind them and we are happy to have such a strong showing," said Krister Bengtsson, founder and publisher of Star Wine List.
The venue, Skyddsrummet in Stockholm, was packed with people who mingled, tasted wine and joined the celebration of Sweden's best wine lists. The event was hosted by Star Wine List's Krister Bengtsson and well-known Swedish wine personality Maya Samuelsson.
Here are all the Gold Star and Silver Star winners:
International Categories:
Grand Prix
– The best list overall - selected from the winners of Long, Medium and Short lists.
Winner:
Bord, Stockholm
"I really didn’t see that one coming, we expected the biggest wine list with the craziest list to win. But we’re really happy," said Bord's Emil Gunneflo.
”One of the most exciting restaurants in Sweden. A dynamic lists of wines to compliment the exceptional cooking,” said the jury’s Rajat Parr.
Best Long List
– For wine lists with more than 600 references
Gold Star:
PM & Vänner, Växjö
"It’s really a constant work, a constant dedication from all the team, to maintain this list. Everyone keeps pushing to find new inspiration, to keep learning," said wine director Rubén Sanz Ramiro on stage.
"It is a list that leaves you breathless and inspired after reading it. Despite the number of references, it maintains a massive focus and has an undogmatic approach. And it is a wine list that is unparalleled in Scandinavia. It is more than a wine list, it is a life- long project of dedication," said the jury's Nina Højgaard Jensen.
Silver Stars:
Aira, Stockholm
Eriksberg Vilt & Natur, Trensum
Ett Hem, Stockholm
Grand Hotel Lund, Lund
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Granen, Åre
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
Leijontornet, Stockholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
Restaurang AG, Stockholm
ÄNG, Tvååker
Best Medium-Sized Wine List
– Recognizes the best wine list with 200-600 references.
Gold Star:
Fjällnäs Restaurant, Tänndalen
"It’s great to see that the jury see the diversity of our list. We are sort of like a short list, but just a bit bigger. And thanks to you, I think Star Wine List helps people discover great wine in all of the country, not just the big cities," said Christopher Smeds Bjerlo, sommelier and beverage manager.
"We found great structure in the list, with back vintages as well. For a medium-sized list we thought it was complete and easy to understand for everyone. Well done," said the jury's Salvatore Castano about the winning list.
Silver Stars:
Agnes, Stockholm
Bouchon, Malmö
Café Nizza, Stockholm
Ekstedt, Stockholm
Farang, Stockholm
Folii, Stockholm
Mathias Dahlgren – Matbaren, Stockholm
Restaurang Nisch, Stockholm
Best Short List
– Recognizes the best wine list with fewer than 200 listings.
Gold Star:
Bord, Stockholm
"We want to create a quite niche wine list, focusing on the producers and regions we like. Even thought it’s quite small, we can be ambitious with it," said Emil Gunneflo, sommelier at Bord.
"It is a list where I would literally want to drink every single reference, and in a good drinking window. No matter what guest would step in, they would be able to serve their preferences. And without leaving a single thing to chance. A list curated evidently with a massive amount of knowledge and experience behind it. Well done," said jury member Nina Højgaard Jensen.
Silver Stars:
Babette, Stockholm
Café Cuvée, Stockholm
Combo Vinbaren, Stockholm
Frö, Sälen
Lyran Matbar, Malmö
Petri, Stockholm
Restaurang Triton, Stockholm
Woodstockholm, Stockholm
Åre Nature Studio, Duved, Åre
Best Austrian Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from Austria
The category is presented by Austrian Wine
Gold Star:
Heaven 23, Gothenburg
”One of the deepest lists of wines from Austria, covering every major wine region,” said jury member Rajat Parr.
Heaven 23's former Beverage Director Andreas Hiller picked up the prize for the restaurant.
"The idea to focus on Austrian wine is really simple: the wines are really good, and versatile," he said on stage.
Silver Stars:
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
Leijontornet, Stockholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Portal, Stockholm
SK Mat & Människor, Gothenburg
Best Sparkling Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with sparkling wines.
The category is presented by Nyetimber
Gold Star:
Operakällaren, Stockholm
"It feels good to be back again. I was a little bit nervous about this one, the competition was really hard. I think it’s important to get the whole picture of the world of sparkling, and that's what we try to do," said Johan Iller, restaurant manager and head sommelier at Operakällaren.
”Can you have it all? Judging from the winner of the best sparkling wine list category, it looks like you can. Must visit asap!”, said jury member Kathrine Larsen-Robert about the winning list.
Silver Stars:
A Little Party, Halmstad
Aira, Stockholm
Champagnebaren Kyrkogatan 13, Gothenburg
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Restaurang AG, Stockholm
ÄNG, Tvååker
Best California Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from California
The category is presented by Louis M. Martini
Gold Star:
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
"This list reminds me of when I used to work on the floor with one of the biggest American wine lists lists in Europe. This list gave me goose bumps. I really loved the complexity and the verticals of top producers," said jury member Salvatore Castano, Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa 2021, about the winning list.
"Super fun to win this, thank you. We try to continue to build with verticals and all the good stuff. And we also try to include what is new and happening," said Simon Samuelsson, head sommelier at Grand Hôtel.
Silver Stars:
Eriksberg Vilt & Natur, Trensum
Ett Hem, Stockholm
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
Leijontornet, Stockholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Restaurang AG, Stockholm
Best By the Glass List
– Recognizes the best by the glass list.
The category is presented by Riedel
Gold Star:
Operakällaren, Stockholm
”One of the most comprehensive list of wines by the glass in the world. Incredible!”, said jury member Rajat Parr.
"Thank you so much. We have more than hundred different wines by the glass. We try to have the best selection for our guests, both young ones and more more mature. The most important thing is to have a dedicated team that can maintain the list," said sommelier Lorenzo Nuzzarello.
Silver Stars:
A Little Party, Halmstad
Aira, Stockholm
Bulot, Gothenburg
Combo Vinbaren, Stockholm
Folii, Stockholm
L'Enoteca, Malmö
Volare, Visby
Best Newcomer List
The category is presented by Vintedge
Gold Star:
Brasserie Draken, Gothenburg
"For a newcomer list this was great, I hope we can see more of this. It has character and a selection of top producers," said jury member Salvatore Castano.
"I’m happy that when I change jobs you create a new category," joked beverage director Andreas Hiller, previously beverage director at Heaven 23 when he received the prize. "The idea behind our list is to be based in French roots. We have a lot of classic, but also wines off the beaten track. We just try to purchase wines we really like."
Silver Stars:
Cafe Klotet, Stockholm
Freyja, Stockholm
Teddys, Stockholm
Vyn, Simrishamn
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 Familia Torres
Gold Star:
Julie, Malmö
"Sustainability is both one of the hardest and the most urgent questions in the world of wine. There was overall a strong awareness across the entries. This place wins for going one step further, including being a part of changing consumer habits, for example with alternative packaging. And it all resonates through the wine list," said jury member Nina Højgaard Jensen.
Silver Stars:
Ett Hem, Stockholm
Frö, Sälen
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp
Kittelfjäll Värdshus, Kittelfjäll
Petri, Stockholm
Spiseriet, Varberg
Villa & Trädgård de luxe, Växjö
ÄNG, Tvååker
Local Categories:
Best Beaujolais Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from Beaujolais
The category is presented by Inter Beaujolais
Gold Star:
PM & Vänner, Växjö
"This was a surprise, mainly for two reasons: There are a fantastic selections of Beaujolais lists in Sweden, and also since it is a new category. We are very happy to see Beaujolais here, there are so much depth in this region," said Rubén Sanz Ramiro, wine director at PM & Vänner.
"The winning list has incredible regional depth, and great variety of producers, from classics to more modern and newcomers. A wonderfully balanced selection,” said the jury’s Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.
Silver Stars:
BISe, Malmö
Grus Grus, Stockholm
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp
Portal, Stockholm
Savant Bar, Stockholm
The Sparrow, Stockholm
Villa & Trädgård de luxe, Växjö
Best German Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from Germany
The category is presented by Wines of Germany
Gold Star:
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
"There is clearly a passion for Germany here. An impressive selection of classical producers, vineyards and vintages," said Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.
"Thank you very much. For us it all started with a food-friendly wine, and what can be better of Riesling? Then it’s just been growing, thanks to friends and contacts down in Germany," said Christofer Johansson, creative chef and SEO at Hotell Borgholm.
Silver Stars:
E & G, Stockholm
Farang, Stockholm
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Leijontornet, Stockholm
Operakällaren, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Teddys, Stockholm
Best Swedish Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from Sweden
Gold Star:
Swedish Wine Center, Malmö
"We have been on local food for a long time, so why not also focus on Swedish wines? Swedish wines are really good today, and for sure it is an up and coming category," said Jeanette Bohman, one the owners at Swedish Wine Center.
”I love the extent and variety of the winning list. For a relatively new wine-producing nation, how fabulous to see such a selection and passion,” said Kathrine Larsen-Robert MS.
Silver Stars:
Freyja, Stockholm
Hörte Brygga, Skivarp
Julie, Malmö
Sankt Jörgen Park, Gothenburg
Spiseriet, Varberg
Sydkustens at Pillehill, Skivarp
ÄNG, Tvååker
Best Bourgogne Wine List
– Recognizes the best list with wines from Bourgogne
The category is presented by Albert Bichot
Gold Star:
Operakällaren, Stockholm
"This was incredible. We thought that the selection of so many producers, and so many appellations within those producers made it outstanding. Great vintages available too. I want to be locked into this cellar!" said jury member Salvatore Castano.
"I’m really surprised actually, I didn’t see this one coming, there are so many other great Bourgogne lists out there. But it feels fun. Bourgogne is in my heart, I go there often, and I just really enjoy these wines," said Johan Hiller, restaurant manager at Operakällaren.
Silver Stars:
Eriksberg Vilt & Natur, Trensum
Ett Hem, Stockholm
Grand Hotel Lund, Lund
Grand Hôtel, Stockholm
Hotell Borgholm, Borgholm
Högfjällshotellet, Sälen
Leijontornet, Stockholm
PM & Vänner, Växjö
Restaurang AG, Stockholm
SK Mat & Människor, Gothenburg
The Sparrow, Stockholm
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.
Jury
The jury of our Swedish awards is filled with top international sommeliers and wine experts:
• Nina Højgaard Jensen, Second Best Sommelier of the World 2019 & 2023 (ASI)
• Rajat Parr, renowned sommelier and winemaker
• Salvatore Castano, Best Sommelier of Europe & Africa 2021 (ASI)
• Kathrine Larsen-Robert, Master Sommelier
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.
Read about the terms and how Star Wine List judges the wine lists here.
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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.
Inter Beaujolais
Inter Beaujolais, the Beaujolais wine council, is a private organisation recognised by the French government, bringing together partners from the winegrowing industry, upstream and down.
Albert Bichot
Read more about Albert Bichot by clicking on the logo.
Riedel
Read more about Riedel by clicking on the logo.
Louis M. Martini
Louis M. Martini is an iconic Californian wine producer. Read more by clicking on the logo.
Wines of Germany
Read more about Wines of Germany by clicking the logo!
Nyetimber
English sparkling producer Nyetimber is the leading producer of sparkling wine in the country.
Torres
Read more about Familia Torres by clicking on the logo.
