Since 1981, Wine Spectator has reviewed and ranked the wine programs at restaurants across the globe, naming only those with a demonstrated deep commitment to viticulture, both in the cellar and through service team knowledge, to the coveted “Best of Award of Excellence.” This year, several Arizona resorts took home the coveted Wine Spectator ranking:
Ranking Arizona: Top 10 resorts for 2023
Bourbon Steak at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, with nearly 1,000 selections from across Burgundy, California, Bordeaux, Italy and more.
Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort, with more than 450 bottles and 30 wines by the glass, with a strength in California, French and Italian wines.
Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn, with 700 selections and a collection of up to 6,000 bottles at any given time.
J&G Steakhouse at The Phoenician, with more than 500 selections, with a nice mix of both the Old and New Worlds.
Elements at Sanctuary, with a 400-label collection, and counting, under the award-winning Level 2 Certified Sommelier and Certified Sake Advisor Laura Bruno.
Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino ResorT, with more than 900 wines by the bottle and 26 wines by the glass.
Prime, A Shula’s Steakhouse at Wild Horse Pass Resort and Casino, with more than 420 bottles including exquisite selections from California, Burgundy and Bordeaux.
Harvest at Castle Hot Springs, with nearly 500 selections.
The Grill at Hacienda Del Sol, with nearly 700 selections including an impressive list from Argentina.
With climate and soil conditions comparable to wine regions in California and Argentina, the State of Arizona’s southern high deserts made the state a major player in international wine circles. Willcox and Sonoita are the most prolific Arizona wine regions, with their vast valley farmlands producing nearly three quarters of the state’s grapes to produce award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot varietals.
