New Wine Spectator awards list includes 2 Huntsville restaurants

Wine Spectator, one of the premier wine publications in the world, has recognized two Huntsville restaurants in its recently released 2026 Restaurant Awards list.

Char and Domaine South each earned an Award of Excellence from the publication, which judged each restaurant on its wine program.

Read more below, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get news like this delivered to your inbox.

Domaine South + Char earn Wine Spectator awards

red wine day — This is not the first year Domaine South has been honored by Wine Spectator. (Michael Seale / Hville Blast)

Wine Spectator honored more than 4,000 dining spots from all 50 U.S. states and more than 85 countries for excellence in their wine lists, cellars and service.

If you consider that roughly 1 million restaurants are in operation in the U.S. alone, being one of just 4,000 honored all over the world puts these two restaurants in elite company.

The Restaurant Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers.

An Award of Excellence—given this year to 2,083 restaurants—is for wine lists that offer diners a thoughtfully selected and well-rounded range of choices.

These programs typically feature around 100 selections, though many extend well beyond that benchmark. Designed to complement the restaurant’s cuisine and pricing, the lists showcase quality and diversity while presenting wines with clear, complete information, including key details such as vintage and appellation.

To qualify for an award, a wine list must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections. Complete producer names and correct spellings are mandatory, and the overall presentation of the list is also considered.

Domaine South, locally owned by Mike + Kristian Denis, has been honored by Wine Spectator with an Award of Excellence each year since 2023.

Char, a regional chain with five locations across Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, has been an Award of Excellence winner since 2020.

Here’s where to visit these hot wine spots: