Kentucky restaurants win top wine awards for 2025, including 2 in Lexington area
Wine Spectator, a long-standing magazine whose editors review thousands of wines each year, has announced the winners of the 2025 Restaurant Awards, and Kentuckians may recognize a few.
This year, Wine Spectator awarded nine Kentucky restaurants, including two in the Lexington area.
Launched in 1981, the magazine’s Restaurant Awards are the world’s only program exclusively focused on restaurant wine programs, a Wine Spectator press release said. Awards are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award (the most exclusive).
This year’s awards recognize more than 3,800 restaurants in all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries, Wine Spectator said.
Two Lexington-area restaurants won awards: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse at 101 West Vine St. and the Holly Hill Inn, at 426 North Winter St. in Midway of Woodford County.
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognized by Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence,” Britney Ruby Miller, co-owner and CEO at Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, wrote in an emailed statement. “This honor reflects the intentionality behind every bottle on our list and the passion our team pours into curating a wine program that elevates the entire dining experience. It’s about more than just great wine—it’s about creating meaningful moments that pair perfectly with our five-star cuisine and hospitality.”
Mike Hilton, a spokesperson for Holly Hill, said in an emailed statement that the restaurant was honored by the recognition: “We’re honored to receive this recognition for the 24th consecutive year. Everything we do at Holly Hill revolves around curating a purposeful culinary experience, including featuring great wines to accompany our thoughtful menu.”
Other Kentucky restaurants honored by this year’s awards include Repeal Oak-Fire Steakhouse, Cuvée Wine Table, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Nouvelle Bar and Bottle, Ripple Wine Bar and Swizzle Dinner and Drinks.
In the case of Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, the restaurant’s Louisville and Lexington locations were both recognized with awards. The Lexington location has been honored with an Award of Excellence since 2020.
The steakhouse and the Holly Hill Inn offer extensive wine selections, according to their respective Wine Spectator profiles. Jeff Ruby’s of Lexington has 325 wines available to sample, and it’s total inventory tops 2,100. Holly Hill Inn offers 200 wines, with 1,200 in its inventory.
The Holly Hill Inn won the same award, which it has held since 2002, Wine Spectator’s website notes.
According to Wine Spectator, all award winners will be featured in the magazine’s Aug. 31 issue.
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This story was originally published June 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM.