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Christchurch wine bar Cellar Door has again been recognised on the international stage, earning a Best of Award of Excellence at the 2026 Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards in New York.
The award marks the third consecutive year Cellar Door has been recognised by Wine Spectator, with its wine list again named among the best in the world.
Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards recognise venues with outstanding wine programmes, with the Best of Award of Excellence reserved for establishments offering broad and well-presented selections across multiple wine regions or significant depth from leading producers.
Cellar Door says its 2026 award recognised the venue’s tasting flight programme, which offers more than 20 curated wine flights exploring grape variety, region, terroir, vintage and winemaking style.
Head sommelier Grace Livsey says the recognition reflects the work of the wider team in building a distinctive wine experience for guests.
“I am so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a team. We are given the opportunity to do what we love by introducing the public to some really incredible wines,” Grace says.
Cellar Door director and founder Tim Ogle says the international recognition is a credit to the venue’s day-to-day focus on wine service and hospitality.
Opened in Christchurch’s Arts Centre in 2020, Cellar Door says it is the only Christchurch restaurant recognised in the 2026 Wine Spectator awards and one of only two New Zealand venues to make the list this year.
