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As Arizona’s wine country expands and its prominence grows nationwide, local restaurants are responding with increasingly lengthy, expertly crafted wine lists.
It comes as no surprise that lifestyle magazine Wine Spectator has caught on to the trend. In their annual Restaurant Awards, the publication highlights restaurants around the world that offer the best wine selections. This year, seven Tucson restaurants have been added to the list.
The full list of award winners is featured in Wine Spectator’s August 31 issue, which hits newsstands July 21. Until then, check out who received recognition below.
While Core technically belongs to Marana, their contemporary American cuisine and selection of over 500 wines validates their spot on any Tucson roundup. Chef Devin Pinto and sommelier Mike West draw inspiration from local growers and the Sonoran region to craft seasonal menus. Core even offers a 42-tree citrus orchard where guests can pick their own fruit.
For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com.
Feast’s selection of 600 wines garnered the restaurant a Best Award of Excellence. This, in addition to Chef Doug Levy’s ever-changing, seasonal menu, has made Feast a favorite amongst locals. During the summer, you can even request favorite dishes that are no longer included on the menu.
For more information, visit eatatfeast.com.
Everyone knows Fleming’s. Since 1998, the national chain has been offering prime cuts of beef and a vast selection of wines by the glass. The Tucson location in the Catalina Foothills features over 210 high-end wine options.
For more information, visit flemingssteakhouse.com.
Over 900 labels and 6,000 bottles has earned The Grill Wine Spectator’s “Best of” Award of Excellence for 17 years running. Hacienda del Sol was started as an elite boarding school in 1929, converted into a Hollywood getaway in 1948, and finally turned into a luxury resort in 1997. Now, The Grill serves an award-winning brunch and sources local ingredients for its menu, finding some as close by as the property’s garden and citrus trees.
For more information, visit haciendadelsol.com.
Maynards and resident sommelier Steve Berger clearly take pride in their award-winning wine selection, offering it at both Maynards Kitchen and the casual, walk-up counter at the Market next door. You can try it for yourself at special wine tastings and dinners all summer long.
For more information, visit maynardstucson.com.
As if Executive Chef Danny Perez winning Iron Chef Tucson was not enough, Starr Pass can now celebrate two of the resort’s restaurants making Wine Spectator’s list. Primo, the more upscale option, offers 315 selections of wine, carefully selected by sommelier Ian Broome.
For more information, visit primotucson.com.
The expansive 100-seat dining room at Casino del Sol’s PY Steak is only rivaled by the 445 selections of wine offered at the restaurant. According to Wine Spectator, PY Steak’s strengths line in their wines sourced from the Pacific Northwest.
For more information, visit solcasinos.com.
Starr Pass’ slightly more casual dining option, Signature Grill, still offers a high-end selection of over 150 wines. Chef Danny Perez takes full advantage of Sonoran flavors and inspiration from Native American and Mexican cooking traditions to craft Signature Grill’s menu.
For more information, visit signaturegrilltucson.com.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, part of Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc., offers traditional steakhouse fare at their Campbell and River location. Their selection of over 280 wines feature vino from California, France, Italy and more.
For more information, visit sullivansteakhouse.com.
The Lodge’s Catalina Room and Ventana Bar both offer over 360 wine options to pair with an upscale American menu. Executive Chef Joe Martin puts his own spin on salads, seafood and prime meat dishes.
For more information, visit thelodgeatventanacanyon.com.
