24 Sep 2026

The Grill at The International Wins Best Medium-Sized Wine List in the World

The International celebrates global recognition across The Grill and The International Wine Bar at the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2026.

The Grill at The International has taken out Best Medium-Sized Wine List in the World at the World's Best Wine Lists Awards 2026, one of the most prestigious global awards programs celebrating the world's leading restaurant and bar wine lists. The International's Wine Bar was also recognised on the global stage, alongside Point Group sister venue Shell House.

The win marks a major international moment for The International's wine program, led by Alex Kirkwood, Jacqueline Turner and a passionate sommelier team, following an earlier regional win in the same category in July.

The Best Medium-Sized Wine List category recognises lists of 200 to 500 wines, a scale built for real depth without losing focus. The Grill's list does exactly that, going deep across benchmark regions and styles while staying tightly aligned to the restaurant's fire-driven cooking, premium steak and seafood, and Two Hat dining experience. Every bottle earns its place, balancing iconic producers and mature vintages with emerging expressions and a dynamic by-the-glass program, offering serious depth while remaining generous and easy to explore.

The International Wine Bar was also recognised on the global stage, placing in the Top 5 for Best Wine Bar List in the World and Most Original Wine List in the World.

Led by Jacqueline Turner, the Wine Bar list stands as its own distinct expression of The International's wine program: expressive, personal and built around discovery. It brings together top producers, emerging winemakers, rare bottles and wines chosen for both quality and character.

Its originality comes not only from the selection, but from the way the list is written and experienced. Section headers like "Top of the Pops," "Freak Grower Magic," "Singular Vintage, Gothic, Euphoric Brilliance," and "Amber / Natural, Raw Rouge" give the list a clear voice: playful and generous, yet grounded in serious knowledge and depth.

This global recognition reinforces The International's position as one of Sydney's most exciting wine destinations, with a program that feels highly personal, deeply considered and genuinely engaging for both wine professionals and curious drinkers.

That program spans from the intimacy of The Grill's wine dinners, hosting the likes of Henschke and Cloudburst, where guests get up close with the winemakers themselves, to the everyday pleasure of dining over exceptional food and wine, with the new season's spring menu about to land, the perfect opportunity to experience it all. It's a spirit that carries through to The International Wine Bar's expressive, discovery-led approach, brought to life through a year-round program of wine festivals, producer takeovers and one-night-only tastings that connect guests directly with winemakers in the heart of the city.

Shell House Dining Room & Terrace was also recognised globally, placing in the Top 5 for Best Organic Wine List in the World, a testament to the Two Hat dining room's dedicated focus on low-intervention and organic winemaking, and further proof of the depth and range of The Point* Group's wine programs across its venues.

This October, The International welcomes a line-up of exciting events celebrating some of Australia and New Zealand's most distinctive wine regions and producers.

Chardy Party | 3 October  

A sun-soaked long weekend celebration of all things Chardonnay, bringing together 30+ winemakers and 100+ wines for an afternoon of tasting, discovery and festival energy at The Wine Bar.

Pure Pours | 17 October

Pure Pours returns to The International, bringing Central Otago to the heart of Sydney with free-flowing tastings, producer conversations and a great Wine Bar snack menu.

Tyrrell’s with Jane Tyrrell | 21 October  

A special evening with Jane Tyrrell, celebrating one of Australia’s most iconic wine families through a guided look at benchmark wines, heritage and Hunter Valley excellence.

For further information or reservations at The International and across these events, visit www.internationalsydney.com @theinternationalsydney 

The International
25 Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

For media information, images, or interview requests, please contact:

Madison Dixon

BLACK Communications

M: +61 428 255 895

E: madison@blackcommunications.com.au

About The Point* Group

The Point* is a Sydney-based hospitality group with venues including The International, Shell House, The Dolphin Hotel, Hotel Harry, Hotel Canobolas (Orange) and the soon-to-open Fort Denison. The Group has a vision brought to life by an obsession with people, product and approach, and the experiences we deliver are inspired by taking bold, defiant steps to operate venues that are truly unique and memorable. The Point* defines the exact point where individual passions, talent, experience, knowledge and creativity intersect to create something truly special.