These CA Restaurants Among Wine Spectator 2020 Winners

Nicole Charky
Updated ·6 min read

SANTA MONICA, CA — The restaurant industry is perhaps the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Months into the crisis, many of us still aren’t venturing out to that quaint downtown bistro to savor a meal and a glass of our favorite merlot.

Putting aside the challenging year, Wine Spectator magazine recently released its list of 2020 Restaurant Award winners, honoring the best in the industry and recognizing the devotion displayed by an industry that has, according to a statement posted to its website, “come together to support its members and the communities they serve.”

The annual list typically gives us a generous glimpse at the best spots in California.

This year, 20 restaurants in California earned a nod from Wine Spectator.

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, the awards honored 3,800 restaurants in 50 states and 80 countries and territories. Awards were given in 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.

Candidates for the Grand Award are required to undergo a rigorous inspection by Wine Spectator judges; however, this year, travel restrictions and mandatory restaurant shutdowns made inspections impossible. As a result, the magazine named no new restaurants to the 2020 Grand Award list.

Check out the other restaurants in California that earned nods for excellence this year:

  • Acquerello, San Francisco: Grand Award winner, 2012: Inspired by co-owner Giancarlo Paterlini's hometown of Bologna, Acquerello includes an authentic Italian tasting menu.

  • Addison, San Diego: Grand Award winner, 2009: Addison is located inside the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, an iconic spot for golf and wine fans that overlooks the 18-hole Grand Golf Club. It offers French seasonal tasting menus and wines from both Burgundy and California.

  • Capo, Santa Monica: Grand Award winner, 2015: Capo is from Bruce Marder, who helped develop Venice and Santa Monica into dining destinations in the 1970s, and includes a simple, an uncomplicated Italian approach. The wine list includes options from California, France and Italy.

  • The French Laundry, Yountville: Grand Award winner, 2007: Chef Thomas Keller's wine-focused restaurant is a legendary spot in Napa Valley known for its California and French wine list. Diners enjoy local, fresh ingredients applied with traditional French cooking style.

  • La Toque, Napa: Grand Award winner, 2014: Check out wine from every corner of the wine-producing world with picks from chef Ken Frank designed to go with specific wines. The selection includes a range of menus, including four to nine-course meals.

  • Madera, Menlo Park: Grand Award winner, 2018: Madera is located in the Rosewood Sand Hill resort, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The menu features the state's top wine labels and California cuisine.

  • Murray Circle Restaurant, Sausalito: Grand Award winner, 2016: Watch the stunning view of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge from Cavallo Point Lodge and try out the selection of California wines.

  • Patina, Los Angeles: Grand Award winner, 1994: Patina is a luxury dining location that features an international "water list" and caviar service. Located under the dramatic Walt Disney Concert Hall, this spot offers a global wine selection and cool ambiance.

  • The Plumed Horse, Saratoga: Grand Award winner, 2015: Pick from nearly 150 options from regions across the world, including California, Italy, Germany. There's even a Champagne cart that gets wheeled through the dining room.

  • Restaurant 301 at the Hotel Carter, Eureka: Grand Award winner, 1998: This boutique hotel was built by the Carter Family and the restaurant offers a diverse collection of wine, featuring California, Bordeaux and Burgundy.

  • The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena: Grand Award winner, 2016: This Napa Valley destination is located at a luxury resort and connects chef Christoper Kostow's tasting menu to great wine in nature.

  • Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco: Grand Award winner, 2001: This San Francisco restaurant takes chef Gary Danko's approach to comfort food and a wine list that keeps both Burgundy and California hits.

  • Saison, San Francisco: Grand Award winner, 2014: Saison only seats 18 guests at a time for chef Joshua Skenes' curated pairings and American menu.

  • Sierra Mar, Big Sur: Grand Award winner, 2012: Look over the Pacific Ocean and catch the dramatic views with Sierra Mar, which offers tons of styles and regions for wine-lovers.

  • Spago Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills: Grand Award winner, 2010: Diners who want choices will love chef Wolfgang Puck's wine list of more than 150 options.

  • Spruce, San Francisco: Grand Award winner, 2015: Eat produce sourced from a local farm and taste seasonal pairings with Spruce's international wine list.

  • The Stonehouse, Santa Barbara: Grand Award winner, 2014: The Stonehouse has reopened its wine cellar and rebuilt it after terrible mudslides left the location damaged in January 2018. It's evolving and still a favorite.

  • Studio, Laguna Beach: Grand Award winner, 2014: Relax with views of the Pacific Ocean from Montage Resort & Spa. The location has a selection of half-bottles and wines by the glass that diners can pair with California-influenced French food.

  • The Village Pub, Woodside: Grand Award winner, 2013: It's not exactly a pub, even though the name has the word included. The Village Pub features fine wine just outside Silicon Valley and offers a variety of French wines.

  • Wally's, Beverly Hills: Grand Award winner, 2017: Expect 3,500 selections to purchase and enjoy either at the restaurant or just opt to take it home from this wine shop and dining combo.

The hospitality industry remains hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and is still working to get back on its feet. Abrupt closures, inconsistent reopenings, changes in public health guidance for operations and other state-mandated orders have pushed the industry to the brink.

Two months into the pandemic, 40 percent of America’s restaurants were shuttered and 8 million employees out of work — three times the job losses seen by any other industry, according to a Forbes report. While some restaurants began reopening in May and June, most featured only takeout, delivery or outdoor dining options due to local restrictions.

In June, the number of diners remained down more than 65 percent year over year, and the National Restaurant Association has projected an industry revenue shortfall of $240 billion for the year.

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This article originally appeared on the Santa Monica Patch