These 4 Restaurants In VA, DC Named Top Wine Spots In Country

WASHINGTON, DC — Diners who want a truly fine glass or bottle of wine with their meal have several options in the region for a stellar vino paired with amazing food. Wine Enthusiast magazine just published a useful guide that profiles the great wine restaurants in 38 states and Puerto Rico, including two in Washington, D.C., and two in Virginia.

The magazine compiles the list of the 100 best wine restaurants every year, looking for “eateries that incorporate wine in thoughtful and exciting ways.”

The restaurants aren’t arranged according to preference, as a ranking would be, and there’s no matrix for the number of bottles of wine on hand, prices or the types of food the restaurant serves.

“Instead,” Wine Enthusiast wrote, “it is a selection of restaurants where wine is shared and celebrated, and where, in our experiences, the selection, food, service and atmosphere are all exceptional.”

The 100 best wine restaurants are found in the following states and Puerto Rico: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

In Virginia, two restaurants made the cut.

Shagbark, 4901 Libbie Mill E Blvd. #175,Richmond

Why Wine Experience loves it: "Virginia is the name of the game here, where everything local is celebrated through both the seasonal, “up-south” dinner menu and the wine selection. The bottle list is divided by varietal, with state-made expressions given priority. Worldly pours are also offered, including those from offbeat sources like Bulgaria, Lebanon and Switzerland."

The dish the magazine loved most: Hot-smoked salmon “Indian candy” and cellared apple salad, with Manakintowne chicories, triple-cream brie, Virginia maple, and Sherry vinaigrette.

Zoës Steak & Seafood, 713 19th St., Virginia Beach

Why Wine Experience loves it: "A steakhouse-and-seafood menu is available à la carte, or as a three-, four- or five-course meal, with pairings from a list that includes 40 options by the glass and 600 bottles. The global list includes special sections for Virginia wines, as well as “fun and funky” reds and whites."

The dish the magazine loved most: Smoky Chesapeake Bay crab bisque with trinity peppers, crispy thyme, and brown butter.

In Washington, D.C., two restaurants made the cut.

Metier, 1015 7th St. NW

Why Wine Experience loves it: Métier’s seven-course tasting menu experience is one of the city’s most luxurious. The wine list is split between “From The Vine” and “From The Cellar” selections, and if you call ahead to order an older red, Wine Director Chase DuBay will have it decanted when you arrive.

The dish the magazine loved most: "Crépinette of Bobo Farms Poussin, duck foie gras, poached rhubarb, pine nut butter, and rhubarb mousse."

Tail Up Goat, 1827 Adams Mill Road NW

Why Wine Experience loves it: With a neighborhood atmosphere, this breezy-blue-hued venue rewrites its eclectic wine list each season to focus on a specific theme or location (like “Spring in the Greek Islands”), organized by relatable taglines (“The Ultimate Island Wine,” “Old Wine Out of Big Bottles,” etc.). It’s poured alongside a rotating menu of Mediterranean dishes.

The dish the magazine loved most: Seaweed sourdough, smoked mahi mahi rillettes, radish, crispy onion

Read the complete list.