Newcomer Olivine takes out Australia's Best New Wine List for 2023
VICTORIA: Last night, Melbourne’s Olivine wine bar won Australia’s Best New Wine List at the 2023 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards ceremony, beating out finalists Melbourne’s Grill Americano and Sydney’s Brasserie 1930 for the hotly contested award.
Olivine wine bar, in Melbourne’s former Pentridge Prison, was also awarded a Three Glass Rating - the highest rating recognising outstanding wine lists that meet the criteria of content, balance, suitability, presentation, and pricing – on the night, one of just 18 new venues for 2023.
More than 30 local and international expert sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and wine and food writers came together to judge Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards. In attendance at the ceremony, Olivine’s Wine Curator, Liinaa Berry, said she was extremely proud to represent Olivine and see the “Book of Wine” recognised by industry.
“Producers and suppliers provided access to rare vintages and their museum collections and in that respect, it has been a wonderful collaborative process,” Wine Curator, Liinaa Berry said. “From these producers sharing their cult wines, to local artists bringing their illustrations to the pages, I believe we’ve created something very special. And, in that respect, it’s truly humbling to be recognised amongst Australia’s best.”
Olivine’s Book of Wine features more than 500 labels, with judge and wine writer, Andrew Graham admitting it was a tome well worth exploring. "With a wonderful design, that is set up more like a thriller than a wine list, this meticulously prepared selection is very charismatic, from the dedicated verticals of the Producer Series to the verticals of luscious Pichot Vouvray,” he said.
2023 is the first year Olivine has entered the Awards, having opened in April this year to join Scottish craft beer icon BrewDog, hatted restaurant North & Common and TFE Hotels’ 106-room Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge at Melbourne’s newest $1b lifestyle precinct, Pentridge.
The Interlude and Adina Apartment Hotel Pentridge General Manager, Jesse Kornoff, said he was incredibly proud of Liinaa and her team.
“Since opening, this team has shown amazing creativity – not only with the Book of Wine, but with curating wine lists for sister venue, North & Common, and the establishment of Olivine Wine School, which produced a sell-out event earlier this month, with another running on October 25.
“This award is a testament to their hard work behind the scenes and we’re incredibly proud of them,” he said.
Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards were established in 1993 by Rob Hirst, his late wife Judy, and Tucker Seabrook. The awards celebrate the depth of talent, dedication and sheer commitment of sommeliers and venue owners across Australia to build and maintain great wine lists and the cellars behind them.
Sydney’s Cirrus took out top award for Australia’s Wine List of the Year whilst SK at The Calile (part of Collection by TFE Hotels) in Brisbane took out Australia's Best Listing of USA Wines, Australia's Best Listing of Queensland Wines and Sommeliers' Choice Award.
EDITOR’S NOTES
1 Pentridge Boulevard, Coburg, Victoria
Open Monday to Friday: 5pm till late | Saturday & Sunday from 2pm till late
Instagram: @olivine_wine_bar
High res images available here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Jessica Wood (TFE Hotels PR Executive) / [email protected] | +61 437 242 034
Jodi Clark (TFE Hotels Director of Communications) / [email protected] |+61 499 900 658
ABOUT OLIVINE
B Division’s former heritage cells have been transformed into an elegant and refined wine bar complete with a walk-in cellar door, intimate booths, and stellar wine list. Modern and sophisticated, Olivine seats 100 guests and features a wine list of more than 500 labels from local and international producers that has been curated by one of Australia’s most exciting sommeliers, Wine Curator, Liinaa Berry. Flick through the chapters of the Book of Wine and unravel the mysteries of the wine world. Discover stories and vintages of iconic producers and rare treasures. Graze on delicious small plates. A house-made liver parfait with a local Pinot or perhaps Champagne and caviar is more to your taste. www.olivinewinebar.com.au
AUSTRALIA’S WINE LIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards celebrates the depth of talent, dedication and sheer commitment of sommeliers and venue owners across Australia to build and maintain great wine lists and the cellars behind them. judging panel comprises 32 of the world’s most respected wine industry talent. The panel is directed by Forrestal, alongside Deputy Chairs Jeni Port and Toni Paterson MW. Founder of the Court of Master Sommeliers Bryan Julyan MS is the International Chair, with 28 judges, including four Master Sommeliers and seven Masters of Wine, from Australia and the balance from New Zealand, Germany, the United States, France, Hong Kong, and Great Britain representing the international jury. www.winelistoftheyear.com.au.
Full list of winners and finalists available here.