Yes, we keep hearing that people are drinking less, and mocktails are having a moment. But for those still interested in the dolce vita, wine hasn’t exactly lost its charm. A good glass can still make a steak sing, a branzino hum and an ordinary dinner feel like it’s wearing linen.

Good news for us: Sixteen restaurants in Sarasota and Manatee counties have earned spots on Wine Spectator’s 2026 Restaurant Awards list, the magazine’s annual guide to restaurants with standout wine programs.

The awards date back to 1981, when the magazine introduced the Grand Award to recognize restaurants with extraordinary wine lists at a moment when American wine culture was gaining momentum. By 1985, the program had expanded into the three-tier system still used today: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award. This year, Wine Spectator recognized 4,012 restaurants around the world.

Locally, four restaurants received the Best of Award of Excellence, the middle tier and the higher of the two levels awarded in Sarasota-Manatee this year. They are Michael’s on East, Marcello’s Ristorante Italiano, The Capital Grille and CW Prime. No local restaurant received a Grand Award, the program’s top honor.

Wine Spectator’s awards evaluate wine lists, not restaurants as a whole. To qualify, lists must include complete and accurate information, including producer names, vintages and appellations. From there, they’re judged across the three tiers. The Award of Excellence generally recognizes lists with at least 75 selections that offer quality producers and a thoughtful match to the restaurant’s menu, pricing and style. The Best of Award of Excellence typically recognizes lists with 350 or more selections, broader regional range, deeper verticals from top producers and superior presentation.

This year marks its first on the list for CW Prime, the steak and seafood restaurant at The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort—and it arrived at the higher Best of Award of Excellence level. Wine Spectator lists the restaurant’s wine strengths as California and Bordeaux.

The other local Best of Award of Excellence winners are familiar names. Michael’s on East, a Sarasota fine-dining staple, has held the designation since 2020, with California and France listed as wine strengths. Marcello’s Ristorante Italiano has been recognized at that level since 2022, with a wine program highlighting Tuscany, Piedmont, Italy and California. The Capital Grille at UTC has held the honor since 2024, with strengths in California and France.

The remaining local restaurants received the Award of Excellence: Sage, Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood., Alpine Steakhouse, Café Gabbiano, Siesta Key Summer House Steak and Seafood, Selva Grill, Seasons 52 at UTC, Osteria 500, Grove, O’Bricks, Pier 22 and Seasons 52 in Bradenton.

Several have appeared on the list for years. Seasons 52 at UTC is the area’s longest-running honoree among the local winners, with recognition dating back to 2015. Duval’s has been recognized since 2017, O’Bricks since 2018 and Grove since 2019.In addition to CW Prime, Pier 22 and Seasons 52 in Bradenton are all newcomers, listed as receiving recognition beginning this year.

Here’s the full local list:

Wine Spectator Award Winners in Sarasota County

Alpine Steakhouse: Award of Excellence

Café Gabbiano: Award of Excellence

CW Prime: Best of Award of Excellence

Duval’s Fresh. Local. Seafood.: Award of Excellence

Marcello’s Ristorante Italiano: Best of Award of Excellence

Michael’s on East: Best of Award of Excellence

Osteria 500: Award of Excellence

Sage:  Award of Excellence

Seasons 52: Award of Excellence

Selva Grill: Award of Excellence

Siesta Key Summer House Steak and Seafood: Award of Excellence

The Capital Grille: Best of Award of Excellence

Wine Spectator Award Winners in Manatee County

Grove: Award of Excellence

Pier 22: Award of Excellence

O’Bricks: Award of Excellence

Seasons 52: Award of Excellence

Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue hits newsstands July 21.