Stage22 Bar & Restaurant Exceptional Wine List Recognised

Riga, 24 November 2025 – Stage22 Bar & Restaurant at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga has received two prestigious international accolades celebrating the excellence of its outstanding wine list. The establishment was awarded a 3-Star Accreditation by The World of Fine Wine during their World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025. In addition, Stage22 was also recognised at the 2025 Baltic Wine and Drinks Awards. The wine list is curated by Food and Beverage Director Björn Juhnke.

The World’s Best Wine Lists Awards acknowledge the crucial role that a meticulous wine selection plays in enhancing the modern dining experience. This recognition of curation and originality is among the most respected in the global wine industry. The honour is reserved for establishments whose wine lists are considered world-class, showcasing exceptional vision and quality. Judged on criteria including breadth, depth, height, balance, selection, accuracy, originality, suitability, design and value, the award celebrates not simply excellent wines but the intelligence behind their curation.

“This 3-star rating signifies the exceptional quality of our wine list curation, making our establishment a world-class destination for wine lovers,” says Carmen Mauthner, Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga General Manager. “A list of this calibre is a compelling reason for a special visit, recognised for its exceptional breadth and depth. It features a very high proportion of leading producers, a wide range of wine styles and prices, an extensive by-the-glass and large-format selection, and outstanding organisation. It shows clear evidence of originality, personality, a guiding intelligence and real vision.”

Complementing the global recognition, the Stage22 wine list has also been named the best hotel-restaurant wine list in the Baltics, with a special mention for the creative wine presentation approach, at the 2025 Baltic Wine and Drinks Awards. These Pan-Baltic awards celebrate wine and drink excellence in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The accolades further position Stage22 as a leader in regional hospitality and wine culture.

The award-winning wine list is curated by Juhnke, whose innovative philosophy encourages guests to ‘pair wine by mood, not food’. This unique approach celebrates individuality and emotional connection, inviting guests to discover wine in a way that transcends traditional pairing rules. The Stage22 wine list exemplifies the difference noted famously by acclaimed wine columnist Francis Percival – “the difference between a great wine list and a mere list with great wines on it” – and Stage22 clearly stands with the former.

Recognised as a lifestyle destination, Stage22 Bar & Restaurant has garnered several prestigious accolades, including Latvia's Best Hotel Restaurant 2024 and a distinguished feature for Japanese cuisine in the 2025 Michelin Guide. The rooftop terrace is located in the heart of Riga and offers breath-taking views of the city and National Opera House.

For reservations, please contact +371 6767 0122 or [email protected]. For parties of more than eight guests, a set menu is recommended.

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About the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards: The World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, established in 2014, are now celebrating their thirteenth year. Organized by the award-winning publication The World of Fine Wine, these awards represent the most prestigious and rigorous global wine list recognition program. Judged according to a rigorous protocol by independent, international panels of leading professionals, including World Champion Sommeliers, Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine, and highly respected wine writers, it is the first awards program to acknowledge the crucial importance of a good wine selection, regardless of size, in the modern dining experience all round the world.

About the Baltic Wine and Drinks Awards: The Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards are organised by the Riga Wine & Champagne festival (Nords Event Communications) in cooperation with quality cabinet producer LIEBHERR. Baltic Wine & Drinks Awards has been created to spotlight good, great and extraordinary Baltic wine lists, drinks lists, retailer portfolios as well as the people and teams behind them. Their aim is to encourage passionate wine & drinks programmes that complement the striving gastronomy scene in the Baltics. The mission is to boost the understanding of good wine and drinks and help the general public discover the charm and the craft of the wine & drinks industry.

About Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga: With the famous Latvian National Opera House by its side and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town at its feet, the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga introduces a new level of comfort and elegance for both international travellers and local guests. The hotel features 141 first-class rooms and suites, 23 residences, two restaurants and one bar, six spacious meeting rooms, including the Grand Ballroom and the world-class Kempinski The Spa. With breath-taking views of the capital, refined service and a rich cultural atmosphere, the hotel invites guests from across the globe to experience Riga at its finest.

About Kempinski: Established in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski’s rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today the Kempinski Group operates 75 hotels and residences in 33 countries, with more than 25 prestigious projects currently under development worldwide. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands. www.kempinski.com www.ghadiscovery.com