Celebrating Culinary Excellence: Three Restaurants Receive Grand Awards in 2025

Exceptional wine lists are the hallmark of dedicated wine directors, sommeliers, and restaurant owners. Crafting such lists requires a careful balance of culinary pairings, pricing strategies, atmosphere, and the diverse preferences of customers. To achieve top-notch standards in wine offerings, cellar management, and service, restaurants must commit fully.

In 2025, three dining destinations earned the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award, recognized as the pinnacle of restaurant wine programs. These establishments join 94 other award recipients, showcasing their exceptional wine lists, outstanding service, and flawless presentation. The latest Grand Award winners are:

• Le Bon Georges: A classic Parisian bistro that pairs casual dining with a sophisticated wine list.
• Selby’s: A modern neighborhood restaurant located in Atherton, California, which marks Bacchus Management Group’s third Grand Award.
• Soby’s: Situated in Greenville, South Carolina, this restaurant claims its place as the first Grand Award winner in the state, enhancing Southern hospitality with a rich wine selection.

John Mitchell, wine director at Soby’s, expressed pride in receiving the Grand Award: "Achieving the Grand Award is the pinnacle of a 28-year vision for us." He emphasized the significance of the recognition for his community and the pride it brings in his long-standing wine career.

The Grand Award criteria emphasize relentless dedication to quality wine programs, typically requiring at least 1,000 selections and top-tier service. Andrew Green from Bacchus Management Group remarked on the humility and recognition the award brings for their team’s hard work in developing a world-class wine program. Selby’s joins other notable awards, reflecting their commitment to culinary excellence and hospitality.

Owner of Le Bon Georges, Benoît Duval-Arnould, celebrated the award as a dream come true and committed to continuing the growth of their wine knowledge and offerings.

For more about these award-winning restaurants, visit the Grand Award Winners Class of 2025 section on WineSpectator.com. The full list of 2025 Restaurant Award winners will be available online on June 23, with detailed profiles featured in the August 31 issue of Wine Spectator.

Discover more about the Grand Awards and other honorees by exploring Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!