Now in its fourth year, the annual wine list of the year competition takes the most comprehensive wine lists from across the state and invites the public to decide the winner.

The awards organised by Wine Tasmania aim to recognise Tasmanian businesses that support the state's wine producers and industry.

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The 12 finalists in this year's competition include five Northern businesses including the Black Cow Bistro, The Gorge Restaurant, Brisbane Street Bistro, Stillwater and Tasmanian Food & Wine Conservatory in Sassafras.

Stillwater and Black Cow Bistro co-owner and sommelier James Welsh said the key to writing a good wine list for a restaurant was in selecting wines that complement and work with the kitchen.

"It has to be in harmony or synergy with what food you're providing," he said.

"The Black Cow lends itself more to heavier richer red wines and Stillwater, there's more of an element of flexibility because we specialise in a lot of local vegetables, seafood, poultry and game meats."

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Mr Welsh said the wine list from both restaurants drew heavily from the local wine-growing regions with about 70 per cent of the 200 wines on offer at Stillwater from Tasmania.

He said supporting the local growers and producers had been built into the business DNA over the past 20 years.

The other finalists announced include Hobart businesses the Glass House, Ball and Chain Grill, Dana Eating House, The Drunken Admiral and the Astor Grill.

The Driftwood Restaurant in Lauderdale and The Old Bank of Geeveston have also been named as finalists.

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Wine Tasmania chief executive Sheralee Davies said with some of the best winemakers in the world represented in the competition she encouraged the public to sample some wine and cast their vote.

"Tasmanian wine and food is among the world's best, and it's great to see support for our local wines reflected in the applications and wine lists received this year," she said.

"Each of our finalist venues is to be commended for their support of the island's wines."

Voting for the peoples choice category closes on October 18, with the winner announced on October 25.

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