Restaurants & Bars
15 Restaurants From CA Earn 2021 Wine Spectator Grand Awards
Despite unprecedented challenges due to the pandemic, 2,900 restaurants nationwide were recognized on this year's list.
ACROSS CALIFORNIA — Coronavirus has brought unique and unprecedented challenges to restaurants in California. Despite the hardships, several were still able to shine in the last year, earning a 2021 Restaurant Award from Wine Spectator magazine.
The annual Restaurant Awards honor excellence in restaurant wine lists, as well as those who have demonstrated passion and devoted extensive resources to creating outstanding wine programs. This year’s awards are featured in the Aug. 31 issue of Wine Spectator.
The list typically gives us a generous glimpse at the best spots across California. This year, 15 restaurants in California earned a Grand Award from Wine Spectator.
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More than 2,900 restaurants in 50 states and 72 countries and territories earned awards this year. The awards are given across three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award.
The Grand Award is Wine Spectator’s most prestigious honor, given to the world’s most elite wine programs. Read profiles of all 100 current Grand Award winners,
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Typically, recipients of the Grand Award offer at least 1,000 or more wine selections, showcasing “immense depth and breadth of regions, producers, vintages and bottle formats.” All Grand Award winners must also pass a rigorous inspection of their restaurants, including the wine cellars.
Three new restaurants won the Grand Award this year: Brennan's in New Orleans, Le Bernardin in New York and SingleThread Farms in Healdsburg, California.
The Grand Award winners from California are:
- Capo, Santa Monica (2015)
- The French Laundry, Yountville (2007)
- La Toque, Napa (2014)
- Madera, Menlo Park (2018)
- Murray Circle Restaurant, Sausalito (2016)
- The Plumed Horse, Saratoga (2015)
- Restaurant 301 at the Hotel Carter, Eureka (1998)
- Sierra Mar, Big Sur (2012)
- SingleThread Farms, Healdsburg (2021)
- Spago Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills (2010)
- The Stonehouse, Santa Barbara (2014)
- Studio, Laguna Beach (2014)
- The Village Pub, Woodside (2013)
- Wally's, Beverly Hills (2017)
- The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena (2016, permanently closed)
See all winners of this year’s Wine Spectator awards.
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