The World of Fine Wine is proud to announce the restaurants and wine bars receiving the prestigious Star Accreditation as part of the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025.
The announcement follows the awards ceremony held in September at The Savoy, London, where Michelin-starred chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and wine critics gathered to celebrate the winners of each global category. The Star Accreditation recognizes additional exceptional wine programmes from around the world that have achieved outstanding standards of quality, creativity, and service.
Launched in 2014, the World’s Best Wine Lists are judged by an international panel of Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and leading wine writers. Each year, entrants in the award categories are also considered for the Star Accreditation list, which honours restaurants and bars demonstrating sustained excellence in wine list curation.
Judges rate every entered list as being worthy of zero, one, two, or three stars, with only the most exceptional achieving the highest distinction. The judging criteria include breadth, depth, height, balance, selection, accuracy, originality, suitability, design, and value, ensuring that only the world’s finest wine lists receive recognition.
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This year, a Star Accreditation was awarded to 312 establishments, reflecting the growing number of exceptional wine lists around the globe.
“It is hugely inspiring and uplifting to see how many establishments of all kinds have managed, despite all the challenges for the hospitality sector over the past few years, to maintain or even improve their star rating. As in the world of gastronomy, establishments awarded one star should be extremely proud, so this year it is enormously exciting to see how many wine programs, all round the world, are now worthy of two or three stars,” said Neil Beckett, editor of The World of Fine Wine and chairman of the World’s Best Wine Lists.
The World’s Best Wine Lists 2025 Star Accreditation: Click here for the full list
The United States leads the list with 113 establishments, including 71 three-star winners. Among them is Wine Bar George, which also received the global award for Best Wine-by-the-Glass List (with Coravin®) this year.
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“The award from WFW isn’t about size or breath of wine, it’s about being unique and creative and different in the wine world. We love the creativity we are allowed to have and how we’re pushed to do this even better every single year,” said George Miliotes MS, owner of Wine Bar George.
New York confirmed its reputation as a leading wine hub with 21 restaurants and wine bars being awarded the Star Accreditation; 16 of which earned three stars, including Kru (global winner of Best Micro Wine List) and One White Street (global winner of Best Half-Bottle Wine List). Special recognition goes to RPM Restaurants, receiving three stars for RPM Italian in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Washington DC, as well as RPM Seafood and RPM Steak in Chicago.
Australia comes in second with 31 establishments awarded the Star Accreditation, including 26 three-star winners. Highlights include Shell House in Sydney (global winner of Best Medium-Sized Wine List) and Ten Minutes by Tractor in Victoria (shortlisted for Best Regional Wine List in the Region).
“WFW has been a reference for me for my entire career. To receive this recognition has been an incredible achievement for us,” said Alexander Kirkwood, Food and Beverage Director of Shell House.
The United Kingdom continues to shine with 25 establishments recognized, 16 of which received three stars, including London favourites Annabel’s Mayfair, Petrus by Gordon Ramsay, and The Savoy Grill.
This year’s Star Accreditation list highlights the remarkable dedication and creativity of wine curators worldwide. The growing number of three-star programmes reflects the global passion for excellence in wine selection and presentation, and WFW is proud to celebrate these achievements.
Entries for the 2026 World’s Best Wine Lists open on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and the awards will be returning to The Savoy for another unforgettable Awards Ceremony on Monday, September 21, 2026. Register your interest in entering the 2026 awards here.
