Melbourne-based venue claims top honour at Australias Wine List of the Year Awards 2026

The results of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards are in, and Melbourne venue Society has been crowned ‘Australia’s Wine List of the Year’. Celebrating its 33rd Anniversary, the Awards ceremony was presented at NSW Parliament House in Sydney where more than 300 industry figures gathered on Monday 28 September. In addition to the major trophy, Society also picked up another three major titles including ‘Australia’s Best Capital City Dining Wine List’, ‘Best Wine List Victoria’ and ‘Australia’s Best List of Wines by the Glass’. The venue was also a finalist in another three categories: ‘Australia’s Best Listing of Victorian Wines’, ‘Australia’s Best Listing of New Zealand Wines’ and ‘Australia’s Best Listing of Cellared and Museum Wines’. Society’s head sommeliers Loïc Avril, Yuki Hirose MS and sommelier Lee Sangyeop were awarded the prestigious ‘Judy Hirst Award’, which is awarded to the sommeliers responsible for the winning list. Society’s winning list was praised by chair of judges Toni Paterson MW for its impressive range and versatile offering to cater for those looking for something familiar or new.