5 Somerset County Restaurants Earn 2023 Wine Spectator Awards

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — Five restaurants in Somerset County stand among Wine Spectator's 2023 Restaurant Award Winners.

Wine Spectator awarded more than 3,500 restaurants worldwide. To qualify for the "Award of Excellence," which 2001 locations received, a restaurant needs "well-curated lists with approximately 90 selections or more." The "Best of Award of Excellence" winners take it a step further, with 350 selections or more — 1,411 restaurants received the award.

One Bedminster restaurant took home the list's highest honor - the Grand Award, which goes to restaurants with "world-class wine programs" that typically feature at least 1,000 selections. Only 93 restaurants worldwide have received the accolade, including two in New Jersey: The Pluckemin Inn (Bedminster) and Restaurant Latour (Hamburg).

The Pluckemin Inn has made the list since 2011.

Water & Wine Ristorante-Taverna (141 Stirling Road in Watchung) earned the Best of Award of Excellence.

And three Somerset County establishments earned the Award of Excellence: Seasons 52 (410 Commons Way in Bridgewater), Uproot (9 Mount Bethel Road in Warren) and Stone House at Stirling Ridge (50 Stirling Road in Warren).

While not in Somerset County, Chris Cree, New Jersey’s only Master of Wine and Bridgewater native, also made the list for his wine bar in Hunterdon County.

Cree Wine Company (167 Perryville Road in Hampton) earned a Best of Award of Excellence.

"We are honored to be recognized by Wine Spectator for our elaborate wine program," said Cree. Read More: NJ's Only Master Of Wine, Bridgewater Native Opens Wine Bar

Sixteen New Jersey establishments earned Wine Spectator awards this year.

The awards include wine programs from all 50 states and more than 75 countries and territories.

"Even while dealing with the challenges that linger from the pandemic, restaurants around the world have found ways not only to excel and distinguish themselves with wine, but to exceed their previous accomplishments," Cassia Schifter of Wine Spectator writes.

View Wine Spectator's 2023 Restaurant Award Winners here.

— With reporting by Josh Bakan

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