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Wine Spectator recognizes the top restaurants for wine across the world, with many Hudson Valley establishments among this year’s winners.
The Hudson Valley is a paradise for wine lovers. Between the beautiful wineries and growing list of restaurants with impressive wine programs, the region is the place to be for wine connoisseurs.
The region’s wine-centric focus is certainly a focal point for Wine Spectator, which recently released the 2022 Restaurant Awards winners to showcase the world’s top restaurants for wine. This year’s list included 3,169 restaurants from all 50 states and over 70 countries across the globe – including 16 winners right here in the Hudson Valley.
The awards are broken up into three categories: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and Grand Award. Seeing as the Hudson Valley attracts the best and brightest in wine and dining, it’s no surprise that we have winners in all three.
Grand Award Winners
The Grand Award is the highest honor awarded by Wine Spectator, reserved for the restaurants that prove themselves to be the best of the best. According to Wine Spectator, “restaurants must show unwavering dedication and passion to building and growing an exceptional wine list year after year” to be selected for this most prestigious award.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Pocantico Hills
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This upscale restaurant is one of 97 restaurants worldwide to receive the coveted Grand Award. Wine Spectator sang its praises, stating “Blue Hill lives and breathes the farm-to-table movement, bringing refreshing authenticity to the oft-bandied term. Every aspect of Dan Barber’s tasting menu experience highlights the connection between diner and agriculture. The wine list spotlights local gems but also spans the globe.” Blue Hill boasts an impressive selection of over 2,000 premier wines.
Crabtree’s Kittle House Inn
Chappaqua
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There’s no doubt that Crabtree’s Kittle House Inn is not only one of the best wine destinations in the Hudson Valley, but one of the best in the world. Specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, Crabtree is dedicated to sustainable business practices and providing patrons with a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
According to Wine Spectator, “Crabtree’s Kittle House Inn was built in 1790, and the family-owned property remains at the forefront of American restaurants for wine. It took the owner and wine director just four years to grow a list of 150 selections into a Grand Award winner with 4,000 selections.”
Best of Award of Excellence Winners
The Best Award of Excellence was given to 1,290 restaurants around the world, including three in the Hudson Valley. Winners of this exclusive award “go the extra mile,” offering 350 or more selections of wine from top producers and a wide array of regions. These honorees take their love of wine to the next level by carefully curating the presentation of their wine lists and training their staff to provide guests with an illuminating tasting experience.
Moderne Barn
Armonk
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This rustic eatery is recognized for its elegant atmosphere and selection of 480 wines, specifically its lineup of bottles from France, Italy, and California.
Blu Pointe
Newburgh
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What’s better than sipping on a glass of wine while taking in an incredible view of the Hudson River? Blu Pointe gets points for the stunning scenery of the restaurant, as well as its impressive selection of 500 wines. After you enjoy your wine (and, of course, a delicious meal), stroll along Newburgh’s scenic waterfront.
The Supper Room at Glenmere Mansion
Chester
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Inside the historic Glenmere Mansion, The Supper Room provides guests with an intimate, sophisticated dining experience. Wine Spectator applauds the wine list, which features selections from California, France, and Italy.
Award of Excellence Winners
The Award of Excellence highlights restaurants that offer a diverse selection of 100 or more wines. These venues earned the honor by ensuring their wine list includes quality selections from a variety of regions. This year, nearly 1,800 restaurants received the Award of Excellence.
Saltaire Oyster Bar
Port Chester
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This seafood spot is celebrating its first year on the list of Wine Spectator winners, thanks to the staff’s dedication to providing guests with an exquisite wining and dining experience. According to managing member Leslie Barnes, the restaurant holds regular training for its waitstaff to ensure employees can help guests select the perfect pairings of wine to accompany the fresh-caught seafood.
“There’s two different things you want to look at when you put together a wine list,” explains Barnes. “The main thing is what type of food you are serving. You want to have the wines that will compliment those particular items…Then you want to look at how you want to represent the old world and the new world.”
Fogo de Chão
White Plains
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Another first-time winner, this Brazilian steakhouse is recognized for its unique selection of wines from California, Argentina, and Chile.
Morton’s, The Steakhouse
White Plains
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Known for its lively, upscale atmosphere, Morton’s offers guests a selection of over 200 wines, including exclusive vintages and special selections from its sommelier.
McKinney & Doyle Fine Foods
Pawling
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When it comes to designing the perfect wine list, McKinney & Doyle’s understands that quality is key. By sourcing wine from smaller producers, this eatery supports family-run wineries while offering high-quality selections for guests.
General manager Andrew Sarubbi emphasized the restaurant’s dedication to providing an impeccable guest experience. “I will always look to find an option for a guest that is similar to something they have enjoyed before, but from a completely different region, or that highlights a unique varietal they have never tried before,” Sarubbi explains. “Wine can be overwhelming, and the amount of options are endless, so being able to provide a comfortable environment where a guest can explore something new is very rewarding.”
Crew Restaurant & Bar
Poughkeepsie
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A farm-to-table philosophy and fresh, seasonal menu items landed this Poughkeepsie restaurant on Wine Spectator’s award list. Its commitment to quality wine and inexpensive dining proves that an upscale wine experience doesn’t have to break the bank.
The Roundhouse
Beacon
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This beautiful Beacon restaurant takes a collaborative approach to curate a wine list that has something for everyone to enjoy. Barry Frommer, director of food and beverage, explains how the whole team at The Roundhouse sits down together for a tasting to decide which wines should make the cut. “A wine list needs to be balanced – the varietal, the type of grape, and the region that it comes from,” says Frommer.
He and his team love nothing more than to introduce guests to new and exciting wines, helping many find their latest favorite. “When we hit it on the mark if we make a suggestion to a guest and we made the right selection for them, the expression on their face and their true, honest, and genuine delight in the wine…you can feel it.”
Cosimo’s on Union
Newburgh
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Cosimo’s is a staple for Italian food in the Hudson Valley, so it’s no surprise to see this favorite recognized for its strong sampling of Italian and Californian wines.
Willow by Charlie Palmer
Rhinebeck
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Located inside Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Willow brings a rich dining experience through innovative American cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients. The wine list features over 120 selections, with special praise for the picks from California and France.
City Winery Hudson Valley
Montgomery
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City Winery lives and breathes wine. Not only does it offer selections from classic regions like Bordeaux and Piermont, but it has a wide selection of wines produced both in-house and across the Hudson Valley. “We love wine and we want to share this passion with others in a space where you can find something to enjoy whether you are a connoisseur or just starting to discover the world of wine,” says National Beverage Director Ania Fedorova. “It’s a sense of community that we share through food and wine that is incredibly precious. The wine speaks the story of every person involved in getting it to your glass — from grape growers and farm workers to a server who suggests a pairing for your meal, and everyone in between.”
The Red Onion
Saugerties
This Saugerties restaurant and bar is notable for its outstanding service, artfully crafted plates, and remarkable wine list.
Deer Mountain Inn
Tannersville
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Rounding out this year’s list is first-time winner Deer Mountain Inn. Nestled in the Catskill region, this eatery serves seasonally inspired dishes made from local ingredients in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Related: Try Top Vino at These Boutique Wine Shops in the Hudson Valley