Fine Wines in Phoenix and Scottsdale

If you enjoy fine wines, there are plenty of restaurants in Arizona that can satisfy you! Each year Wine Spectator receives submissions and evaluates the wine lists of restaurants all over the country. There are three awards that are given to the restaurants that meet various criteria.

The Award of Excellence is given to a restaurant that has at least 100 choices on their wine list. The establishment offers a "well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style."

Restaurants earning the Best of Award of Excellence typically have at least 500 selections. The wine menu offers "either vintage depth, with vertical offerings of several top producers from major regions, or excellent breadth spread over several winegrowing regions."

In 2003 there were 36 local restaurants that were recognized for their excellent wine lists by Wine Spectator. In 2007, 47 Phoenix area restaurants received recognition for their fine wine offerings. Here they are, organized alphabetically by location.

Best Wine Lists in Chandler and Tempe

1. Caffé Boa On Mill
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Tempe
2. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Chandler
3. Kai
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, Bordeaux, Burgundy
   Chandler

Best Wine Lists in Phoenixand Paradise Valley

1. Capital Grille
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, Italy, Bordeaux
   Phoenix
2. Compass Restaurant
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Phoenix
3. Cheuvront
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Phoenix
4. Christopher's Fermier Brasserie & Paola's Wine Bar
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: France, California
   Phoenix
5. Different Pointe Of View
   Best of Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, France
   Phoenix
6. Donovan's Steak & Chop House
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, Rhône, Italy, Bordeaux
   Phoenix
7. elements
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Paradise Valley
8. Durant's
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Phoenix
9. Lon's At The Hermosa
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, France
   Paradise Valley
10. Melting Pot
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Ahwatukee
11. Meritage Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
12. Morton's, The Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
13. Ristorante Tuscany
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: Tuscany, California
    Phoenix
14. Ruth's Chris Steak House
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Phoenix
15. T. Cook's
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Phoenix
16. Tarbell's
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Phoenix
17. Vincent Guerithault On Camelback
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: Bordeaux, California, Burgundy
    Phoenix
18. Wright's
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, Brodeaux
    Phoenix

Best Wine Lists in Scottsdale, Carefree and Cave Creek

1. Acacia
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, France
   Scottsdale
2. Binkley's Restaurant
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Cave Creek
3. Bloom
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Scottsdale
4. Capital Grille
   Best of Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Scottsdale
5. Cartwright's Sonoran Ranch House
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Cave Creek
6. Cowboy Ciao
   Best of Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, France, Australia, Italy
   Scottsdale
7. Deseo
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California, France
   Scottsdale
8. Drinkwater's City Hall Steakhouse
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Scottsdale
9. Eddie V's Edgewater Grille
   Award of Excellence
   Wine Strengths: California
   Scottsdale
10. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
11. Kazimierz World Wine Bar
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France, Australia, Italy
    Scottsdale
12. Mastro's Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
13. Melting Pot
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
14. Morton's, The Steakhouse
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
15. Mosaic
    Award of Excellence Wine Strengths: California, France
    Scottsdale
16. Ocean Club Fish House
    Award of Excellence Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
17. Olive & Ivy
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, Spain
    Scottsdale
18. Ruth's Chris Steak House
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
19. Sea Saw
    Best of Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France, Australia, Italy
    Scottsdale
20. Tapino Kitchen & Wine Bar
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
21. Terrace Dining Room
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
22. Tonto Bar & Grill
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Cave Creek
23. Village Tavern
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
24. Vu
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California, France
    Scottsdale
25. Wildfish Seafood Grille
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale
26. Windows On The Green
    Award of Excellence
    Wine Strengths: California
    Scottsdale

Finally, the highest award given each year by Wine Spectator is the Grand Award. A restaurant that achieves Grand Award status has "1,500 selections or more, and feature serious breadth of top producers, outstanding depth in mature vintages, a selection of large-format bottles, excellent harmony with the menu and superior organization, presentation and wine service."

Only one restaurant in the Phoenix area was given the distinction of the Grand Award in 2007: Mary Elaine's at the Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale.

Congratulations to all the award winners. With all these restaurants to choose from, any wine enthusiast can find a wonderful place to enjoy fine food and a special wine to accompany the meal.