Jonah’s, the clifftop restaurant overlooking Whale Beach for almost 100 years now, is celebrating a significant collection of accolades from the recent Australia’s Wine List of the Year awards.
Jonah’s Restaurant and Boutique Hotel has been named as the winner of Australia’s Choice – Australia’s Wine List of the Year Award and was recognised as the winner of Australia’s Best Food & Matching Wine List.
The venue has also retained its coveted 3 Glass status and continues as a member of the Hall of Fame, having held Hall of Fame membership since 2017, when they were awarded Best Wine List in Australia.
Adding to the occasion, Jonah’s was also named as one of four finalists in two specialist categories Australia’s Best Listing of Cellared and Museum Wines and Australia’s Best Listing of Australian Wines
The recognition reflects the venue’s longstanding commitment to wine, with a list that brings together an enormous range of Australian and International wines, carefully selected food pairings, including a collection of cellared and museum wines. Judge Lisa Cardelli of the wine program said, “I am in awe of this list. It’s been assembled with precision and a great deal of care and research.”
“I am in awe of this list. It’s been assembled with precision and a great deal of care and research.”
“This recognition means so much to not only the wine team, but the entire Jonah’s team. To have the guests who have visited Jonah’s and enjoyed our wine program vote for us to win this award really means the world. It shows us that all the effort we put in to making the guest experience so special is being felt by those who come to Jonah’s,” Niels Sluiman, General Manager said.
The People’s Choice recognition holds particular significance for the team, acknowledging the role that guests and wine lovers play in the life of the wine program.
“I’m particularly proud of the diversity and depth of the list of Australian and International wines, and the fact that there is something for everyone — whether you’re looking for a classic variety or region, something unusual and rare, or simply a wine that is delicious and works beautifully with your meal.
“I’m also proud that the list gives us the opportunity to take people on a journey. You can come to Jonah’s and drink something familiar, but you can also discover a grape variety, region or style of wine that you may never have considered before,” Â Head Sommelier Georgina Larsson said.
First opening its doors in 1929, the venue has bore witness to the development of the Palm and Whale Beach suburbs throughout its near century.
It first began with Constance Vidal, a British widow who travelled with her daughter to Australia. They noticed the increased use of the motorcar and had the vision to build their roadhouse on the cliffs overlooking Whale Beach (stunning views it still maintains in some directions today.)
Moving from roadhouse to fine dining following the Second World War, Jonah’s has become a favourite of the Palm Beach set, which often includes celebrities and politicians of note.
Among them have been Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Joan Collins, Mick Jagger, Bono, Queen, One Direction, Elle McPherson, Billy Connolly with Pamela Stephenson, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, William Holden, Members of the Royal Family of England and of Monaco and, we are told, many more.
