September 19, 2025 (London, UK) — The stars of the global hospitality world gathered at London’s iconic Savoy Hotel on Monday night as The World of Fine Wine unveiled the winners of the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025.
The glittering ceremony, hosted by WFW editor and awards chairman Neil Beckett alongside food editor and judge Francis Percival, brought together a packed international audience of leading sommeliers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, and wine professionals. Among the distinguished guests were legendary wine writers Hugh Johnson OBE and Jancis Robinson MW OBE.
Taking centre stage, The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado, secured the ultimate accolade, Wine List of the Year 2025, as well as Best Hotel Wine List. Meanwhile, Park Hotel Vossevangen of Norway triumphed once again in the prestigious Champions’ League, reserved for former Wine List of the Year winners. The hotel claimed both Champions’ League Best Overall Wine List 2025 and Champions’ League Best By-the-Glass Wine List 2025.
The United States shone particularly brightly this year, with venues collecting ten awards in the main competition, two top prizes in the Champions’ League, and multiple runner-up positions. New York City confirmed its reputation as a leading wine hub with category wins for Kru (Best Micro Wine List) and One White Street (Best Half-Bottle List).
The UK was also strongly represented among the winners. 67 Pall Mall, London was runner-up for Best Wine-by-the-Glass List (with Coravin®), Blandford Comptoir, London was shortlisted for Best Medium-Sized Wine List, Frog by Adam Handling, London was shortlisted for Best Designed Wine List, and The Grape Escape, Cheltenham triumphed as Best Value Wine List.
Sydney excelled too, with Shell House awarded Best Medium Wine List and The Wine Bar at The International winning Best Short Wine List. In total, winners represented five continents, showcasing the truly international reach of the competition. Standout successes included Switzerland’s Einstein Gourmet (Best Large-Format Wine List), Mauritius’s Blue Penny Cellar (Best Long Wine List), and Switzerland’s Wunderbrunnen (Best Dessert & Fortified List).
The evening concluded with the introduction of the Guiding Spirit Awards for Wine in Hospitality, created to recognise individuals whose influence has shaped the world of wine service. Sponsored by T-Oinos, the inaugural honours went to Harald Bresselschmidt, Doug Govan, HO Kin Fung, Pascaline Lepeltier, Valeria Mortara, and Josep Roca of the three Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Catalonia.
“I’m very proud to have received this honour and recognition. It’s important for us, El Celler de Can Roca, but also for me,” said Roca on receiving his award from Percival. “It’s not just about the tangibles, it’s about recognising the emotional importance behind the wines and also the vines.”
Launched in 2014 by The World of Fine Wine, the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards is the first global programme to celebrate the skill of exceptional wine list curation—whether short or extensive. Judged by independent panels of leading professionals, including World Champion Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and renowned wine writers, the awards shine a light on the venues elevating the modern dining experience through their wine selections.
