Updated Feb. 25, 2021
For many, there’s nothing more fundamentally delicious than a fresh, hot slice of pizza. Whether topped with gooey cheese, pepperoni, ham, roasted veggies or "everything," this versatile dish offers something for everyone. What could make it even better? Great wine, of course. Perfect pairings for pizza abound, from fruity reds to rich whites to crisp sparklers.
To indulge in this classic dining favorite, head to these eight pizzerias around the U.S. with crave-worthy pies and Wine Spectator Restaurant Award–winning lists. All are open for on-premise dining in compliance with local regulations for pandemic safety, but there are takeout options too.
To check out more great wine dining spots across the globe, see Wine Spectator’s nearly 3,800 Restaurant Award–winning picks, including our 100 Grand Award recipients.
This is only a partial guide to pizza and wine restaurants. Do you have a favorite you’d like to see on this list? Send your recommendations to restaurantawards@mshanken.com. We want to hear from you!
Note: Opening hours and menus are subject to change as the industry continues to adjust to evolving regulations.
A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, Calif.
Telephone (415) 771-2216
Website www.a16sf.com
Best of Award of Excellence
Just off the Presidio in San Francisco’s Marina District, A16 draws its inspiration from southern Italy for both its wine list and cuisine. Owner and wine director Shelley Lindgren’s list has earned the restaurant a Best of Award of Excellence since 2011 for its moderately priced 600-plus selections, almost all of which are Italian. However, there are strong California picks too. Authentic Neapolitan pizza takes center stage on chef Nicolette Manescalchi’s menu, ranging from classic marinara, Margherita and Romana options to a pie topped with anchovy, pecorino and escarole. A16 now has a sibling location in sibling location in Oakland, Calif., a fellow Best of Award of Excellence winner since 2020, which is also open for dine-in and takeout.
Oenotri
1425 First St., Napa, Calif.
Telephone (707) 252-1022
Website www.oenotri.com
Best of Award of Excellence
In the heart of Napa, Oenotri attracts winemakers and tourists alike with its Italian-focused, Best of Award of Excellence–winning list. Wine director Thomas Dorman makes a point to champion lesser-known Italian wines from Refosco to Sangiovese Bianco on his moderately priced, 600-selection list. Chef Tyler Rodde’s menu offers plenty of choices to pair with Dorman’s picks, and though the menu changes daily, highlights have included a classic Margherita pie to one with cream, fontina, roasted king trumpet mushrooms and thyme. The restaurant is currently open for takeout, delivery and outdoor dining in a heated and tented outdoor space.
Undici Taverna Rustica
11 W. River Road, Rumson, N.J.
Telephone (732) 842-3880
Website www.undicirestaurant.com
Best of Award of Excellence
Not far from the banks of the Navesink River, you’ll find Undici Taverna Rustica, a recreated Tuscan farmhouse in Rumson, N.J. The Italian influence carries over to the Best of Award of Excellence–winning wine list, overseen by owner and wine director Victor Rallo, offering 800 selections and focusing on Tuscany and Piedmont. In addition to roasted fish dishes, meats and house-made pastas, chef Giovanni Atzori’s menu features handmade pizzas with classic toppings, all wood-fired at 800° F. The restaurant is currently hosting private wine-pairing dinners highlighting a different region every few weeks.
Brava
27 Housatonic St., Lenox, Mass.
Telephone (413) 637-9171
Website www.facebook.com/BravaBarLenox
Award of Excellence
Brava brings the cozy charm of a European wine bar to the heart of Lenox, Mass. Whitney Asher owns and operates the restaurant, overseeing the Award of Excellence–winning wine list of 130 labels. The selections focus on classic regions, excelling in Italy and France. Brava boasts a by-the-glass program of nearly 30 options, as well as themed wine flights such as “Italy’s traditional white wines” and “Fun reds from all over France.” The menu is a mix of tapas plates like seared scallops with Dijon balsamic–sauce and grilled lamb chops with mint sauce, and hand-made pizzas with toppings like merguez sausage and wild mushrooms.
The Grove Pizza Cucina & Wine Bar
8815 S.E. Bridge Road, Hobe Sound, Fla.
Telephone (772) 402-5410
Website www.thegrovehobesound.com
Award of Excellence
Jen and Luis Reyneri, the wife-and-husband owners of the Grove Pizza Cucina & Wine Bar, met 20 years ago in Orlando, Fla. Driven by a passion for wine, the couple spent time living abroad in Europe, visiting a variety of winegrowing regions including Italy, France, Spain and Germany. With some global perspective under their belt, the Reyneris returned to Florida to open their restaurant in 2019, and the Grove earned its first Award of Excellence one year later. Luis oversees the frequently evolving wine list of 90 selections excelling in Italy and France. Other international regions are represented too, like Chile, New Zealand and Germany. Chef Ian McCue crafts seasonal Italian dishes plus specialty pizzas with options like chicken pesto and cheesesteak, using fresh produce brought in daily and sauces made in-house.
La Lanterna di Vittorio
129 MacDougal St., New York, N.Y.
Telephone (212) 639-3236
Website www.lalanternacaffe.com
Award of Excellence
Just off of Washington Square Park in downtown Manhattan is a cozy and casual oasis for wine-and-pizza lovers, La Lanterna di Vittorio. Head past the indoor-dining space to reach a charming heated patio, adorned with string lights and greenery, then dive into the lengthy menu. In addition to salads, pastas, paninis and more, chef-owner Vittorio Antonini Sr. offers nearly 20 different pizzas. Also overseen by Antonini, the wine program has plenty to offer as well, with an Award of Excellence–winning list of 120 selections supported by a 4,000-bottle inventory. Italy and California are the highlights of the program, and so is its pricing. The picks are especially affordable, with dozens of wines under $50. For guests looking to go bigger, La Lanterna di Vittorio has a handful of large-format labels.
Pizza Republica
5375 Landmark Place, Greenwood Village, Colo.
Telephone (720-489-2030)
Website www.pizzarepublica.com
Award of Excellence
At Pizza Republica, wine directors George Eder and William Graves make Italian wine approachable. The small Colorado chain offers a list of nearly 100 exclusively Italian labels. Each selection identifies the grape variety and body (light, medium or full) to help guests select the perfect bottle. Pair your pick with one of their Neapolitan-style pies, baked at 1,000° F, with toppings like fire-roasted zucchini and ricotta, and grilled chicken with fig jam, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana
1570 Stockton St., San Francisco, Calif.
Telephone (415) 835-9888
Website www.tonyspizzanapoletana.com
Award of Excellence
Chef Tony Gemignani has been in the pizza-making business for three decades. He channels that talent into his San Francisco spot, Tony's Pizza Napoletana, where the menu covers an assortment of styles inspired by regional interpretations. Pizzas are divided into categories such as classic American, classic Italian, Napoletana, and New York, with several different pies within each section. Wine is another focus at the restaurant, which has held an Award of Excellence since 2015 for the Italian-heavy program managed by wine director Jules Gregg. Each label listed is accompanied by a tasting note to help guide guests through the selections.
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