Stop the press! Print Hall scoops awards

Print Hall sommelier Daniel Wegener made his new kitchen his office on his arrival from Sydney last winter as he pored over wine catalogues to build a list that eventually had 1700 of the world's finest wines.

After that list was named National Wine List of the Year last night in Sydney, he reckons it was time well spent.

Print Hall sommelier Daniel Wegener.

Print Hall was the big winner at the annual wine list awards with a record number of gongs that included Best New List, Best Aperitif List, Best Restaurant List (Metro) and Best WA List. Mr Wegener also won the Judy Hirst Award for creating the top list.

The restaurant's wins were remarkable after opening only a year ago and being up against Australia's best restaurants and their established lists. Mr Wegener moved from Sydney's famous Quay restaurant to Print Hall for the Colonial Group, whose other restaurants and pubs include Melbourne's Botanical.

His list, now refined to about 1550 wines, was painstakingly crafted for the opening with bottles from auctions and prestigious catalogues worldwide.

Mr Wegener said his intention was for a strong WA focus but to tap into all wine regions.

He wanted interest, educational aspects and well-priced wines and added snippets of information and anecdotes.

Perth's Rockpool Bar & Grill won the Best Wine by the Glass List and Best Digestif List.

Source: The West Australian, 30 July 2013