Stage22 receives international recognition for its curated wine programme

Riga, 15 July 2026 – Stage22 Bar & Restaurant, the Michelin Guide-listed venue at the luxury five-star Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, has been awarded a White Star by Star Wine List, an international guide dedicated to identifying the world's leading wine bars and wine restaurants.

The White Star designation recognises venues whose wine lists meet Star Wine List's standards of quality and curation. Stage22 Bar & Restaurant now appears among a select group of wine destinations in Riga included in the guide, joining other respected names on the city's growing fine wine scene.

Located on the top floor of Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, Stage22 Bar & Restaurant offers panoramic views of the National Opera House and city skyline, alongside an Asian fusion menu, an extensive wine selection and expertly crafted signature cocktails. The recognition from Star Wine List adds to the venue's growing list of accolades, which includes a listing in the 2026 Michelin Guide.

“I am proud that Stage22's wine list has met the demanding standards set by Star Wine List”, said Carmen Mauthner, General Manager of Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. “We work hard to curate a selection that matches the quality of the dining experience and the setting, and this recognition is a wonderful encouragement to continue enhancing the experience we offer our guests.”

Star Wine List's White Star is the first step towards a venue being visited by an ambassador and considered for the guide's Red Star status, reserved for restaurants and wine bars that its team has personally visited and recommends. The White Star distinction highlights Stage22 Bar & Restaurant as a venue worth seeking out for wine lovers visiting Riga.

The White Star adds to a series of honours received by Stage22's wine list over the past year. In 2025, Stage22’s wine list received a 3-Star Accreditation from The World of Fine Wine as part of its World's Best Wine Lists Awards, a distinction reserved for wine lists judged to be world-class based on criteria including breadth, depth, balance and originality. During the same season, Stage22 Bar & Restaurant was also recognised at the Baltic Wine and Drinks Awards, where its wine list was named Best Hotel Restaurant Wine List in the Baltics, with a special mention for its creative approach to wine list presentation.

Curated by Food and Beverage Director Björn Juhnke, the wine list is composed according to an innovative philosophy that 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.

These accolades further establish Stage22 Bar & Restaurant as one of the Baltic region’s leading wine destinations, adding to the venue’s broader collection of honours, including being named Latvia's Best Hotel Restaurant in 2024 and featured in the 2025 and 2026 Michelin Guide. Guests can experience Stage22's wine selection alongside its Asian fusion menu and signature cocktails daily, with reservations available via the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga website. For reservations by phone, please contact us at +371 6767 0122 or write an email to [email protected]. See more photos here.

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About Star Wine List: Established in Stockholm in 2017, Star Wine List was created to help wine lovers discover outstanding wine bars and wine restaurants around the world. Recognising that personal recommendations have long been a trusted source of inspiration when travelling, Star Wine List brings together carefully selected venues recommended by a team of wine professionals and ambassadors from across the globe. Often referred to as the Michelin Guide of wine, Star Wine List serves as a trusted guide to exceptional wine destinations worldwide. Beyond its guide, Star Wine List is also a media platform that shares stories and fosters communities and networks within the world of wine and restaurants.

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, 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: Created in 1872, Kempinski Group is Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality company. 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 and has more than 25 prestigious projects currently under development around the globe. 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  · www.kempinski.com/loyalty