4/19/2016 - St. Helena, CA - The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) nonprofit trade association announced the recipients of its 2016 Napa Valley Wine List Awards at a community celebration yesterday at Goosecross Cellars in Yountville. The event included restaurant award recipients, local vintners and community officials. More than 85 restaurants, from the pioneering All Seasons restaurant in Calistoga to newcomer Basalt in Napa, were recognized for their emphasis on serving local wines.
The NVV started its Wine List Awards program during the economic recession as a way to help bolster business and to emphasize the importance of eating and drinking locally sourced products. To be recognized, each wine list must feature 50 percent or 50 selections of Napa Valley wine.
“When Chef Morimoto opened the Napa restaurant, he wanted an all-California wine list with a focus on Napa. It was easy to build this list as the wines of Napa Valley are so diverse,” said Eduardo Dingler, beverage director of Morimoto Restaurants. "Chef Morimoto's philosophy is when you go to Bordeaux you don't drink Chilean wine; when people travel to Napa, they want to drink Napa Valley wine.”
Jim Foster, of Carpe Diem restaurant in Napa noted "We support the local Napa Valley wine industry because they support us. Why wouldn't we want to serve some of the finest wines in the world?"
The local wine industry and related businesses provide an economic impact of more than $13 billion annually to the local economy, while creating approximately 46,000 jobs in Napa County.
“Napa Valley is home to many extraordinary restaurants,” said Emma Swain, chair of the NVV’s board of directors and CEO of St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery. “When they pour our high-quality local wines every day, it creates a true community partnership."
Diners can view the list of Napa Valley Wine List Award recipients at napavintners.com/restaurant. Restaurants interested in learning more about being part of the program should contact the NVV at 707.963.3308.
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its more than 525 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, to provide environmental leadership and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. Learn more at napavintners.com.
2016 Napa Valley Wine List Award Photo Gallery
Contact: Patsy McGaughy, Communications Director 707.968.4207 pmcgaughy@napavintners.com
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