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Contact:

Brian McConnell

Vice President of Operations

RC Hospitality Solutions

The Reserve Room

bmcconnell@rchospitalitysolutions.com

The Reserve Room Earns Wine Spectator's 2026 Best of Award of Excellence

Panama City Beach restaurant recognized among the world's premier destinations for wine

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (June 24, 2026) – The Reserve Room has been honored with

Wine Spectator's 2026 Best of Award of Excellence, one of the wine industry's most respected

international distinctions recognizing exceptional restaurant wine programs.

The award places The Reserve Room among an elite group of restaurants worldwide whose wine

lists demonstrate outstanding breadth across multiple wine regions, exceptional depth among

leading producers, and an unwavering commitment to delivering an extraordinary wine

experience through thoughtful presentation and service.

"The restaurant industry is rapidly transforming as diners become more selective about when,

how and what they drink. As wine drinkers grow more mindful, restaurants are adapting with

creative wine programs," said Marvin R. Shanken, Chairman and CEO of Wine Spectator.

"Congratulations to the 4,012 restaurants that earned a Restaurant Award and continue to elevate

the wine experience for guests around the world. We raise a glass to your success."

"This recognition is incredibly meaningful to our entire team," said Brian McConnell, Vice

President of Operations for RC Hospitality Solutions and curator of The Reserve Room's wine

program. "When we opened The Reserve Room, our goal was simple: create an intimate dining

experience where extraordinary wines and exceptional cuisine share equal importance. Receiving

Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence confirms that a restaurant in Florida's Panhandle

can stand alongside some of the world's most respected wine destinations."

The recognition comes at a pivotal time for Northwest Florida's culinary community. Earlier this

year, the Michelin Guide expanded its Florida coverage to include the Panhandle for the first

time, acknowledging what many local chefs and hospitality professionals have long believed:

this region has evolved into a destination for exceptional dining. While visitors have historically

come for the beaches, they are increasingly discovering a vibrant culinary scene defined by

talented chefs, independent restaurants, and distinctive hospitality experiences. The Reserve

Room is proud to be part of that movement and honored to help showcase the Panhandle on a

national stage.

Opened in 2025, The Reserve Room is a reservation-only fine dining experience dedicated to

showcasing world-class wineries through intimate, winemaker-driven dinners. Each event

welcomes approximately twenty guests and features a multi-course tasting menu created

exclusively for the wines being presented. Since opening, The Reserve Room has welcomed

acclaimed wineries including Roy Estate, Chappellet, Peay Vineyards, Cliff Lede Vineyards,

Fisher Vineyards, Aperture Cellars, Boich Family Cellars, Oakville Ranch, and Julien Fayard,

among many others. Owners, winemakers, and winery representatives regularly travel to Panama

City Beach to host these immersive dining experiences alongside guests.

The Reserve Room earned Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence, a distinction

recognizing restaurants whose wine programs demonstrate exceptional breadth across multiple

winegrowing regions, significant vertical depth among leading producers, and superior

presentation.

Its commitment to culinary excellence has also been recognized with the 2026 DiRōNA Award,

presented by the Distinguished Restaurants of North America. The prestigious designation is

earned only after a rigorous, anonymous evaluation process that assesses food quality, service,

atmosphere, the wine program, and the overall dining experience. Fewer than 700 restaurants

across North America currently hold the distinction, placing The Reserve Room among an elite

collection of independently recognized dining destinations.

Together, these honors, along with recognition through the 2026 Community Choice Awards,

mark an extraordinary year for The Reserve Room as it continues to establish itself as one of the

Southeast's most distinctive destinations for wine enthusiasts and fine dining.

Executive Chef Philippe Robles brings more than twenty-five years of luxury culinary

experience to The Reserve Room. Classically trained in France, Chef Robles has refined his craft

in distinguished kitchens throughout Europe and the United States, including leadership positions

with The Ritz-Carlton. His philosophy begins with the wines themselves, creating tasting menus

that complement each bottle with precision, balance, and creativity, allowing every dinner to tell

a complete culinary story.

Wine Spectator's annual Restaurant Awards celebrate the world's best restaurant wine programs.

The 2026 awards recognized 4,012 restaurants across three levels: Award of Excellence, Best of

Award of Excellence, and Grand Award. The special Restaurant Awards issue will be available

on newsstands beginning July 21.

About The Reserve Room

Located in Panama City Beach, Florida, The Reserve Room is an intimate, reservation-only

dining destination specializing in curated wine experiences that unite exceptional wineries,

thoughtfully crafted cuisine, and personalized hospitality. Every event is intentionally limited in

size and designed around the featured wines, creating immersive evenings that celebrate the 

people, places, and craftsmanship behind each bottle. In just over a year, The Reserve Room has

established itself as one of the Southeast's most distinctive wine-focused dining destinations,

where world-class wineries, refined cuisine, and genuine hospitality come together in an

experience unlike any other in the region.

For more information, visit www.ReserveRoomFL.com.

Media Inquiries

Brian McConnell

Vice President of Operations

RC Hospitality Solutions

bmcconnell@rchospitalitysolutions.com