Sonoma Valley’s best wine lists announced
Wine Spectator has announced the winners of the best wine lists in the world. Over 3,600 restaurants and bars submitted their wine lists, dining menus and additional details to Wine Spectator. The magazine’s knowledgeable staff examines every detail, including letters that declare what makes each wine list special.
We had four Award of Excellence winners in Sonoma Valley: Glen Ellen’s Olive & Vine, Kenwood’s Kenwood Inn & Spa and two Sonoma winners, Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar and Saddles Steakhouse.
The Award of Excellence celebrates wine lists that “offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.”
Olive & Vine is a two-year consecutive winner, “it’s an amazing honor,” says John Burdick, Wine Director at Olive & Vine.
Burdick shared a bit of insight into what the judges examine regarding a restaurant’s wine offerings – and it isn’t just what is on the list: “varietal content, hard to find boutique producers, representative of multiple AVA’s, depth of vintage years, proper storage and serving temperatures of wines and our professional approach to fine dining wine service using state of the art stemware varietally matched for each wine poured.”
Phew!
That is quite an evaluation process – reminding the layman wine drinker that wine is science and a series of evaluations using nose, eyes and taste.
“Being in the heart of the California wine country, our wine list reflects a substantial influence from the wineries in our area. We try to maintain a balance of local wineries that have smaller production, and are less well known, with the more recognized and more prestigious wine producers,” shared David Daniel, Food & Beverage Director at Saddles Steakhouse, another seasoned award winner.
Daniel updates their wine list bi-weekly, allowing for flexibility and a consistent offering of new wine for patrons. Their wine list is inspired by their menu and decor – steakhouse style. “…We tend to balance our wine list toward more full-bodied red wines.” Daniel also finds influence from the many winemakers, grape growers and winery owners that visit Saddles.
Olive & Vine pulls inspiration from Chef Catherine Venturini’s ever evolving seasonal menu. Burdick’s close relationship with regulars and visitor’s alike has helped him sculpt his wine list, “guests gravitate towards local wines from Sonoma and Napa, which the list predominantly offers.”
They also offer a variety of prices – which both Daniels and Burdick pride themselves on – artisan products with reasonable prices so everyone can enjoy – with the occasional splurge, too.
You can explore the newly awarded wine lists, including many others in Sonoma County, via WineSpectator.com and in their upcoming August issue.
