Star Wine List: Local Expertise, Global Reach with Founder Krister Bengtsson

In this episode of the Vint Wine Podcast, host Billy Galanko sits down with Krister Bengtsson, founder of Star Wine List, the global guide to great wine bars and restaurants. What began in Stockholm in 2017 has since grown into a worldwide network covering more than 45 countries, connecting wine lovers, sommeliers, and professionals to the restaurants and wine bars with the best wine lists.Krister shares his journey from journalism in Sweden to living in Bordeaux and discovering wine culture in South Australia, and how these experiences inspired him to launch Star Wine List. We explore how the platform works, the role of ambassadors and their city-specific recommendations, and why Star Wine List has become a trusted reference point for both consumers and the wine trade.Episode HighlightsKrister’s journey from journalism to founding Star Wine ListHow ambassadors curate authentic recommendations around the worldThe meaning behind Red Stars and White StarsHow the wine trade uses Star Wine List to inform their workHow wine culture today embraces diversity in style, scale, and regionIf you enjoy the episode, please follow the podcast and rate us 5 stars on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it really helps others discover the show.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to the Vint Wine Podcast00:28 – Meet Krister Bengtsson: Founder of Star Wine List01:10 – Understanding the Star Wine List concept06:31 – Conversation with Krister begins06:59 – Krister’s background and journey into wine09:17 – The inspiration behind Star Wine List11:51 – How the platform operates and ambassadors’ role23:03 – Global expansion and future plans24:42 – Growing recognition and the importance of awards25:13 – Building a network of ambassadors25:59 – International impact and success stories27:10 – Types of awards and events30:10 – Super fans and early adopters33:06 – Maintaining objectivity in selections37:21 – What’s next: future developments and community building43:55 – Personal insights and wine trends inspiring Krister today45:16 – Conclusion and final thoughtsThe Vint Wine Podcast is hosted and produced by Billy Galanko. For more content follow Billy on Instagram @BillyGalanko_wine_nerd and for partnerships and collaborations please email [email protected]!