Wild Shropshire’s Joseph Stark named in Top 100 UK Sommeliers and wins national Innovation Award
A Shropshire restaurant is celebrating national recognition this week, as their Beverage Director, Joseph Stark, has been named one of the Top 100 Sommeliers Shaping the UK Wine Scene - and awarded the Innovation Award for 2025 by The Sommelier Edit.
Joseph, who leads the drinks curation at Wild Shropshire in Whitchurch, was praised for his boundary-pushing work with alcohol-free pairings and sustainable, hyper-local ingredients.
The Sommelier Edit described Stark’s approach as: “Bold ideas. Fresh thinking. A fearless approach to flavour.
"From foraged pairings to boundary-pushing wine lists, Joseph is leading a quiet revolution in sustainable, hyper-local dining. Visionary. Experimental. Unforgettable.”
At Wild Shropshire, Stark’s role goes far beyond the wine list. He has developed a fully non-alcoholic drinks flightknown as the Creations Flight, crafted from ingredients grown and foraged at the restaurant’s own farm just five miles away. Alongside this, he also leads the development of house-made ferments, wine lists, and seasonal beverages served with the restaurant’s daily-changing tasting menu.
Head Chef and Owner James Sherwin said: “This award is so well deserved. Joe’s work is an essential part of what makes Wild Shropshire what it is – experimental, thoughtful, and always rooted in the land around us.”
This latest recognition follows a string of successes for Wild Shropshire this year, including a Michelin Green Star and a three-circle rating from the 360°Eat Guide.
