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.

The Jackdaw, CONWY

The Jackdaw is discreetly housed on the first floor of the former Palace Cinema in High Street inside Conwy’s historic town walls. The restaurant’s name refers to the nickname given to a person born within the town walls but also jackdaws themselves as they are often found nesting in the walls and nearby castle. A landmark 1930s faux-medieval building with shops and a bingo hall on the street level, the restaurant is accessed via a dark spiral staircase and small corridor, which adds to its mystique and uniqueness. Once you enter the simply decorated restaurant, a wall of windows illuminates the room and there’s a Scandi style with bunches of dry herbs and flowers, white walls, chairs draped with sheepskins and shelves lined with cookbooks and glasses.

Wine judging observations:

A beautifully curated wine list that clearly reflects the Jackdaw’s wider ethos, identity and sense of purpose. Although concise, the selection of wines by the glass is superbly chosen, offering plenty of quality and variety without ever feeling overwhelming. Classic producers sit alongside carefully selected bottles, with consistently thoughtful pricing that represents excellent value. The Welsh and English wine offering is particularly strong, while the interesting selection of mead and sake adds further personality, originality and a welcome sense of discovery.