Award sponsored by

About the award

Introduced in 1998, this award recognises and outstanding contribution to promoting wine understanding and appreciation. Nominees are judged on the quality of their wine list and their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices in selecting wines.

Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Ceredigion

Once owned by Queen Victoria, Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms is set against a backdrop of landscaped grounds and stunning mountain scenery within a 2,000-acre RSPB nature reserve. It’s a memorable location for a destination venue that has long been on the foodie trail. Under the visionary direction of chef Gareth Ward, Ynyshir has moved firmly to the forefront of UK cuisine. What was once a whitewashed building is now painted black, with fire pits burning outside.

Wine judging observations:

This highly curated wine list feels quite personal. A notable Sake listing at the front provides some excellent pairings to go with Gareth Ward’s flavour-driven dishes. The list takes a simple approach to indexing of wines by white and red, and not subdivided by country or region. The impeccably sourced wines provide quality selections on every page while covering a broad range of styles. Judges loved the short, punchy tasting notes that purely focus on the flavour profile.