A barn, steakhouse and sushi: See which 8 Knoxville restaurants won Wine Spectator awards
Wine lovers in Knoxville have lots of options to get dinner with a good glass of vino.
Wine Spectator, the premier magazine focused on wine and wine culture, recognized eight restaurants in the region in its 2023 Restaurant Awards.
The awards, which will be featured in the magazine's July 11 issue, honored 3,505 establishments across all 50 U.S. states and 70 countries for the depth of their wine selections, as well as how their selections pair with their cuisine and atmosphere to offer a holistic dining experience.
The awards are given in three tiers.
The Grand Award, the highest honor, was awarded to just 93 restaurants in the world this year. It recognizes recipients with 1,000 or more wines that demonstrate an "unwavering passion and perseverance in strategically building thoughtful, impeccable wine programs," according to Wine Spectator's website.
The Best of Award of Excellence, the next highest honor, was awarded to 1,411 restaurants. It recognizes recipients with 350 or more wines of various regions and styles that offer training to staff in order to help guests select the best wine.
The Award of Excellence was awarded to 2,001 restaurants. It recognizes recipients with around 90 wines that compliment their menus.
Just one restaurant in Tennessee, located outside Knoxville, received a Grand Award. Can you guess which it is?
Another seven Knoxville area restaurants received Awards of Excellence, four for the first time. Read below to find out which restaurants can boast the recognition.
The Barn at Blackberry Farm wins big
Beating out all other restaurants in the state, The Barn at Blackberry Farm, located in Walland, offers a selection of over 9,000 wines. It has been a winner of the Grand Award since 2006.
A winner of multiple James Beard Awards, the culinary world's highest honor, the fine dining restaurant specializes in what it calls "Foothill Cuisine," bringing together experts to curate an experience of Smoky Mountain regional cuisine.
The restaurant is part of the 4,200-acre Blackberry Farm, a luxury mountain resort frequented by celebrities and located a 45-minute drive south of Knoxville. Reservations and bookings can be made at blackberryfarm.com.
Three Knoxville area restaurants are repeat winners
Three restaurants in the area received an Award of Excellence again after previously being recognized. They represent three very different kinds of culinary experiences.
Brazeiros Churrascaria, a Brazilian steakhouse located at 6901 Kingston Pike, has received an Award of Excellence since 2013
Chesapeake's, a seafood mainstay located at 9630 Parkside Drive and 415 Locust St., has received an Award of Excellence since 2019
Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro, a rustic farm-to-table restaurant located at 137 Apple Valley Way in Townsend, received an Award of Excellence in 2022
Four Knoxville restaurants win for the first time
Four restaurants in the city found themselves on the selective list of awardees for the first time.
Harvest - Land, Sea, & Vine - 5200 Kingston Pike, 141 S. Gay St.
Koyo - 416 Clinch Ave.
Nama Sushi Bar - 5130 Kingston Pike, 260 North Peters Road, 506 S. Gay St.
Osteria Stella - 108 W. Jackson Ave.
Harvest, Koyo and Nama Sushi Bar are all owned and operated by Nama Hospitality, led by Director of Operations Josh James.
To see the full list of award winners, visit the search tool on the Wine Spectator website.
Daniel Dassow is a reporting intern focusing on trending and business news. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Wine Spectator honors Knoxville and Tennessee restaurants
