Puerto Vallarta, a leading culinary destination in Mexico, is celebrating yet another prestigious recognition as La Corona restaurant at the Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway has been honored with the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for 2025. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as La Corona joins the ranks of an elite group of restaurants worldwide celebrated for their outstanding wine programs.
For years, Café des Artistes, helmed by award-winning Chef Thierry Blouet, was the sole recipient of this esteemed distinction in Puerto Vallarta, holding the Award of Excellence since 2019. Under the expert guidance of Wine Director Javier Mendez, Café des Artistes boasts an impressive selection of 400 labels and an inventory of approximately 2,000 bottles. Their strength lies particularly in Mexican and South American wines, featuring renowned Malbecs from Alta Vista, Catena Zapata, and Familia Zuccardi.
Now, La Corona has earned its place among the best, recognized for its thoughtfully curated wine list. Their 115-label collection, with an inventory of around 345 bottles, showcases quality selections from Mexico, California, Spain, and Italy. This award highlights the restaurant’s dedication to pairing wine and cuisine with precision, ensuring both menu and wine offerings complement one another in style and value.
The Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards, established in 1981, are the only global program exclusively focused on restaurant wine service. These awards recognize restaurants with exceptional wine programs at three distinct levels: the Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and the highly coveted Grand Award.
The Award of Excellence specifically acknowledges restaurants with a carefully curated wine selection that features high-quality labels, a well-structured presentation, and a selection that harmonizes with the menu in both style and price. As Wine Spectator aptly puts it, “A wine list is a restaurant’s printed identity, and this year’s winners reflect both deep knowledge and a genuine passion for discovery.”
This latest achievement not only elevates La Corona but also strengthens Puerto Vallarta’s reputation as one of Mexico’s leading food and wine capitals.
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