Raise a glass to two of our own that emerged as Award of Excellence winners by Wine Spectator magazine, billed as a leading authority on wine. It’s quite an honor based on the level of competition across Georgia and South Carolina.
The Willcox Inn has aged like fine wine, literally. The hotel was built in 1898 in Aiken, considered the Queen of the Winter Colony. Fine dining and drinks by the fireplace have always been a part of the ambiance. This marks The Willcox restaurant’s 11th year receiving the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.
General Manager and part of the Willcox owners, Matthew Sayer, is proud of the accomplishment. He wears another hat as a Master Sommelier who has spent the past 16 years growing their wine program.
“I’ve personally been with The Willcox since 2009, and over the years, I’ve worked to shape the wine list by purchasing during standout vintages, holding wines until they reach their peak, and spending countless hours with auction houses acquiring pristine, well-stored collections. My studies with the Court of Master Sommeliers have certainly helped refine my eye for detail and deepen my understanding of what makes a wine worth featuring,” said Sayer.
The restaurant at The Willcox also hosts wine dinners throughout the year, including special events like a recent mead pairing dinner, which allowed their culinary team to explore unique and unexpected pairings.
“It truly is a proud accomplishment to be one of two restaurants in the CSRA to receive this award, especially when surrounded by outstanding wine programs in larger cities like Greenville and Charleston. It’s a reflection of both the care we put into our list and the passion our entire team shares for wine and hospitality.”
The other local accolades went to Cork and Flame. The upscale restaurant at 4414 Evans to Locks Road in Evans opened in 2018 and is also a repeat winner and self-described “oasis of wine”.
Head Sommelier, Gonzalo Moraga, has worked in that capacity on cruise lines and in his native restaurants in Santiago, Chile.
“Yes, we are proud and excited for the recognition,” he said.
With a selection of 1,400 wines from around the world, it would be a challenge not to find one to pair with any of their dinner menu items, which include seafood, steak, venison, and wild boar. Cork and Flame also hosts wine tastings and a Chef’s Table experience.
Most of the Georgia award-winning restaurants recognized by Wine Spectator were from Atlanta. This is the fifth year that Cork and Flame has been recognized with an Award of Excellence.
For more information on the restaurant at the Willcox Inn, click here.
To learn more about Cork and Flame, click here.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means! If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
