November 7, 2026 (London) — Star Wine List, the international guide to great wine bars and wine restaurants, has won the Innovation Award at The Golden Vines 2026. The award was presented at Banqueting House in London on Saturday.
Founded in Stockholm in 2017, Star Wine List helps wine lovers discover places to drink great wine, explore their wine lists and find specific wines. Combining recommendations from local wine professionals with digital wine-list search, the platform connects wine lovers with wine restaurants, wine bars and the people behind them.
“We are very happy and proud for this recognition, not least because it has been voted for by more than 1200 wine professionals,” said Krister Bengtsson.
The prize was presented by the Creative Director of the Golden Vines Award Trophy, Shantell Martin.
“The wine industry today faces a number of great challenges… so, it’s never been more important to embrace new ways of supporting the industry long into the future. The winner of this award embodies that spirit. Founded in Stockholm in 2017, it began with a question: How do we connect people with wines they’ll love? The answer was a guide to great wine bars and restaurants around the world. It’s since become a vital resource for wine lovers across the globe,” Shantell Martin said on stage.
The Golden Vines Innovation Award recognises pioneering ideas and practices across wine, including technology, viticulture, winemaking and marketing. Star Wine List was shortlisted alongside Amorim of Portugal and Francs de Pied of France. In other categories, Vega Sicilia was voted the world’s best fine wine producer and Angelo Gaja was inducted into the Golden Vines hall of fame. The Golden Vines was established in 2021 to celebrate the best in fine wine and spirits.
“We share this innovation award with our team, ambassadors, judges, supporters and partners around the world. We have come a long way in nine years, but we are also just getting started. Next week we will launch our first guide to India during ProWine Mumbai. India will be our 47th country to have a Star Wine List guide,” says Krister Bengtsson.
About Star Wine List
Star Wine List is the international wine lovers’ guide to great wine bars and restaurants. Available as an app and at starwinelist.com, it was launched in Stockholm, Sweden in 2017, and is now live in more than 45 countries. All venues are selected by top wine professionals for the quality of their wine programmes.
