This month local Central Coast restaurants Novo, Luna Red and Robin’s Restaurant, are proud recipients of the 2017 Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. Wine Spectator’s restaurant awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine, and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.
This year the Award of Excellence was awarded to 2,335 winners nationwide. These wine lists, which typically offer at least 90 selections, feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Whether compact or extensive, focused of diverse, these lists deliver sufficient choice to satisfy discerning wine lovers.
“It is always an honor to receive an award to recognize the care that goes into curating wine selections! The idea of building a wine list and picking out wines to carry, at a surface level is really quite easy. There are literally thousands of possibilities in each category and in each price point…there is no lack of options. The challenge comes in weeding through and finding the wines that are ‘best in class’ in terms of value; that is the selection in that particular category at a given price point that over-delivers in quality for that price point. Once we narrow down the field from that perspective, we make sure the wines align with our cuisine, our guest profile and our business values. It is always a great moment when either Kielly or I can say ‘YES! Finally…exactly what we have been looking for!’ When we can get behind a wine of a producer, the staff will get excited. Our servers can then help create a remarkable experience for our guest, which after all, is the reason that we are all here!” said Samantha Payette, wine director for Novo, Luna Red, Robin’s, Mint+Craft and Café Fiero.
To view wine lists visit:
– http://www.lunaredslo.com/menus/
– http://www.novorestaurant.com/menus/