The Wineslinger 2023 Top 50 list of Australia’s top places for wine fun is here.
As voted on by over 100 of the country’s leading sommeliers, winemakers, hospitality tastemakers and journalists, Wineslinger is the ultimate guru’s guide to Australia’s best wine haunts.
This year’s Top 50 – actually, there’s 55 as even votes could not be split – includes 15 venues from New South Wales, 12 from Victoria, nine from South Australia, seven from Queensland, six from Western Australia, three from Tasmania, two from ACT, and one from the Northern Territory — with 19 venues named for the first time.
“In the sixth year of these annual awards,” said Wineslinger founder Rory Kent. “It’s such a thrill to once again discover so many great new wine haunts around the country.”
The Top 50 has it all
The 2023 list sees us spending more time at the beach, from a retooled beach club in McLaren Vale that sees fun times, relaxed vibes and great wine come together, to a wine bar in Merimbula that packs some serious punch. Then up to Byron Bay, where Asian and French techniques and flavours feature on the menu, while a big list of organic wines from around the world whets the palate.
A new bar from alumni of a Melbourne institution is already set to be an institution itself – equal parts wine den, cocktail lounge, shared plate bistro, chic art gallery and chilled neighbourhood hangout. We have a pair of heavy-hitting chefs and friends joining forces over a shared love for natural wine. And down in Hobart, a heritage-listed building now houses a wine bar, founded by father and son Tasmanian wine royalty, with a deep cellar of international gems. And there’s so much more!
It’s a fantastically mixed bunch, but one thing they all have in common is they love wine, and they want to share that love with you. Whether you’re in for the long haul or a quick drink and snack, these Wineslingers just want to see you, and to share what they know, share what they love.
And with the doors open again, it’s the perfect time to remind yourself how much you love your regular wine-focused venues by both paying them a visit and getting your vote in for the People’s Choice. The Young Gun of Wine website also has detailed profiles on all the Wineslingers, with everything you need to know to find your next favourite haunt.
People’s Choice voting is now open
Wineslinger trophies include top spot ‘Wineslinger’, ‘Best New Haunt’, the ‘Maverick’, which recognises a venue pushing the boundaries of possibility, and the publicly voted ‘People’s Choice’.
Everyone that votes in the ‘People’s Choice’ can go into the draw to win a year’s supply of wine from younggunofwine.com. People’s Choice voting is now live online via younggunofwine.com/wineslinger. Voting closes on Sunday 10 December at 12:00pm.
The 2022 Wineslinger trophy winners will be revealed on Sunday 10 December.
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