This Melbourne restaurant is officially home to Australia’s best wine list

We didn’t need reminding that Melbourne knows its way around a wine list, but it’s always affirming when the experts weigh in and back us up. Categorically the key authority on the wine list front, Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards, have just done exactly that – awarding CBD restaurant Society the top gong in this year’s awards.

The Melbourne stalwart was just named Australia’s Wine List of the Year, beating out wine lists from across the country. It’s the third year in a row that a Victorian venue has claimed the coveted title, following Circl’s win in 2025 and Gimlet at Cavendish House in 2024. And Society didn’t stop at taking home gold. The Lucas Group venue picked up four major awards in total – also being named Australia’s Best Capital City Dining Wine List, Best Wine List Victoria and Australia’s Best List of Wines by the Glass. Its head sommeliers Loïc Avril and Yuki Hirose MS, alongside sommelier Lee Sangyeop, also received the prestigious Judy Hirst Award for the sommeliers responsible for the winning list.

For the uninitiated, Society – which opened in 2021 – has been steadily building its reputation at the awards since first entering in 2023. It has previously won Australia’s Best Listing of French Wines three years running, alongside awards for museum and rare wines and digestifs. What clinched the deal this year? According to chair of judges Toni Paterson MW, Society’s cellar combines impressive vintage depth with a broad mix of local and international wines. There are close to 90 wines available by the glass, spanning Australian favourites and premium local drops through to rare Burgundy and Bordeaux, with some offered as a taste, half-pour or full glass.

And Society wasn't the only Victorian venue to walk away with newly minted creds. Over on the Mornington Peninsula, Ten Minutes by Tractor added two more titles to its impressive awards history, taking out Australia’s Best Champagne List and Australia’s Best Listing of Victorian Wines. Fellow Peninsula venue Laura at Pt. Leo Estate was named Australia’s Best Country/Regional Dining Wine List, and Melbourne institution Maison Bâtard won Australia’s Best Listing of French Wines. Florentino, making its first entry under Edition Hospitality, took out Australia’s Best Listing of Italian Wines, while sister venue Reine and La Rue was recognised for Australia’s Best Listing of USA Wines.

These are the Victorian venues that took home awards at the 2026 Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards

Society: Australia’s Wine List of the Year; Best Wine List Victoria; Best Capital City Dining Wine List; Best List of Wines by the Glass

Ten Minutes by Tractor – Best Champagne List; Best Listing of Victorian Wines

Laura at Pt. Leo Estate: Best Country/Regional Dining Wine List

Maison Bâtard: Best Listing of French Wines

Florentino: Best Listing of Italian Wines

Reine & La Rue: Best Listing of USA Wines

Circl: inducted into the Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards Hall of Fame

Society: inducted into the Hall of Fame for its three consecutive Best Listing of French Wines wins

You can check out the full list of winners over here. 

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