In the latest in a series of articles going behind the scenes at some of the winners of the 2024 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, Morgan Rhule, Food & Beverage Director at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, explains how he and his team put together the acclaimed wine and spirit list at The Pines Modern Steakhouse.
What does Winning a WBWL award mean to you at The Pines Modern Steakhouse?
Wining the North American regional title and earning a coveted spot on the World’s Best Spirits List is an honor for The Pines Modern Steakhouse. To be recognized alongside the best restaurants and hotels across the globe further elevates Yaamava’ Resort & Casino’s already exceptional reputation as a world-class location for fine wine and spirits. This recognition will continue to expose The Pines Modern Steakhouse to guests outside of Southern California so they can enjoy tastings, pours, and bottles previously only accessible to private collectors.
What are you trying to achieve with your list at The Pines Modern Steakhouse?
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and The Pines Modern Steakhouse set out to create Collection 86, a wine and spirits program that sourced rare and niche bottles from all over the world. Since its creation, our team has quickly built relationships with well-connected brokers, dealers, and auction houses who appreciate our mission to make incredibly expensive and unique spirits more accessible. For example, guests can order Glenfiddich Simultaneous Time from premier locations across the property by the ounce, without paying the retail price of $54,000 for this rare bottle.
What do you feel is the biggest strength of the Pines Modern Steakhouse list?
The biggest strength of Collection 86 is its depth. The wine and spirits collection at The Pines Modern Steakhouse ranges from $90 offerings to bottles costing $85,000 that are not publicly available at any other restaurant or property. We worked closely with Wine Expert and Master Sommelier Gillian Balance to create a wide assortment of wines from high-end luxury formats and varietals to unique, rare grapes at a practical price point. In addition to an expansive wine list, The Pines also offers spirits by the ounce that are typically available only to private collectors via auctions and brokers.
What are three wines on your list that you feel best represent what you’re trying to do at The Pines Modern Steakhouse?
The wine list at The Pines Modern Steakhouse includes over 2,000 labels from Old World and new growth. Because we’re based in California, the list contains more California winemakers than other regions. Our local relationships have helped us acquire some of the rarest vintage wines on the market. Three wines we are incredibly proud to offer our guests include:
Screaming Eagle vertical from 1992 to present—No other wine program in the world can claim these vintages or serve them to the public
2019 Scarecrow from Rutherford—This best-of-the-year wine is incredibly complex. The 2019 Napa fire did not impact these vines in Rutherford, making it difficult to source
2013 Dominus, Bordeaux blend from Napa—This rare and delicious Bordeaux-style blend from Napa shows the versatility of California grapes
What is your favorite wine and food pairing based on a wine and a dish served at The Pines Modern Steakhouse?
At our luxury steakhouse, our favorite pairing is currently the Olive-Fed 6oz Wagyu Ribeye from Kagawa prefecture paired with a bold Napa 2019 Quintessa.
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