Spain’s best wine lists for 2026 revealed – the restaurants wine-lovers needs to book

The 2026 Star Wine List of the Year Spain awards, held this week in Madrid, brought together some of the country’s top sommeliers, restaurateurs and wine experts to celebrate the very best wine programs in the nation.

Now in its second Spanish edition, the awards spotlight not chefs or interiors, but something arguably just as important: the depth, diversity and creativity of a restaurant’s wine list.

Judged by an international panel of leading sommeliers, the competition recognises excellence across multiple categories – from encyclopaedic long lists to razor-sharp short selections, sparkling specialists and sustainability champions.

So, which restaurants in Spain officially have the best wine lists in 2026? Here’s who took home the Gold Stars.

Best long list

Rekondo (San Sebastian)

San Sebastián’s legendary Rekondo once again proved why it’s considered a pilgrimage site for wine lovers. Its cellar – one of the most extensive in Spain – secured Gold in the Best Long List category, impressing judges with both breadth and rare vintages.

For collectors and serious oenophiles, this is the place to book.

Best Sparkling Wine List

Rekondo (San Sebastian)

Rekondo didn’t stop there. The Basque institution also claimed top honours for its sparkling wine selection — a category that celebrates depth across Champagne, Cava and global fizz.

If bubbles are your thing, this is officially Spain’s finest address.

Best Italian wine list

Ambivium (Peñafiel)

Berria Wine Bar (Madrid)

Ambivium in Peñafiel,  known for its immersive, wine-focused tasting experience, impressed judges with a thoughtful, beautifully curated Italian selection.

Meanwhile, Madrid’s Berria Wine Bar continued its winning streak, cementing its reputation as one of the capital’s most serious destinations for global wine lovers.

Sustainability prize

El Molino de Urdaniz (Navarra)

Sustainability is becoming increasingly central to modern wine programs, and this year’s Sustainability Prize went to El Molino de Urdaniz in Navarra.

The restaurant was recognised for championing responsible producers and thoughtful sourcing, proving that a world-class wine list can also be environmentally conscious.

Special jury prize

Bar La Sang (Mallorca)

Cocina Hermanos Torres (Barcelona)

The Special Jury Prize recognises something harder to define: personality, innovation and a distinctive point of view.

This year, Mallorca’s Bar La Sang and Barcelona’s three-Michelin-starred Cocina Hermanos Torres were among the names celebrated for pushing boundaries in how wine is presented and experienced.

Why Spain’s wine lists matter more than ever

Spain has always been a powerhouse producer, from Rioja to Ribera del Duero, Priorat to Rías Baixas. But what these awards underline is how Spanish restaurants are now competing globally not just on food, but on wine curation.

Today’s top wine lists aren’t just long. They tell stories. They spotlight small growers alongside iconic labels. They balance local pride with international exploration.

And as the 2026 results show, whether you’re in San Sebastián, Madrid, Navarra, Barcelona or Palma, you don’t need to travel to Paris or London for a world-class wine program anymore.

Spain has officially entered the chat.