Wife and the Somm Earns 2026 Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” Award
Our friends at Wife and the Somm, one of Los Angeles' most celebrated neighborhood dining destinations, has been honored with Wine Spectator’s prestigious 2026 "Award of Excellence" Restaurant Award, recognizing the restaurant's exceptional wine program and placing it among the world's top destinations for wine lovers.
Let’s hear it for Christy (the wife) and Chris Lucchese (the somm). Kudos! And so well deserved.
Known for its warm hospitality, elevated California cuisine, and thoughtfully curated wine experience, Wife and the Somm has become a favorite among diners seeking an approachable yet sophisticated culinary destination. Under the leadership of the wife, the somm and Chef Frank Ryan Saporito, the restaurant has built a reputation for pairing seasonal, market-driven cuisine with one of Southern California's most exciting wine programs.
The restaurant's award-winning Wine List features more than 75 carefully selected wines representing acclaimed producers from around the world, with an emphasis on quality, diversity, and exceptional food pairings. Wife and the Somm is also recognized for offering one of the region's most expansive Coravin Wine Programs, allowing guests the rare opportunity to enjoy an extensive selection of premium and highly allocated wines by the glass, creating an elevated wine experience that is both educational and accessible
Launched in 1981, Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards recognize the world's best restaurants for wine across three levels: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and Grand Award. In 2026, Wine Spectator recognized 2,083 Award of Excellence, 1,830 Best of Award of Excellence, and 99 Grand Award recipients worldwide.
The Award of Excellence honors restaurants whose wine lists feature at least 75 selections, offering a carefully chosen assortment of quality producers while demonstrating a strong thematic match to the restaurant's cuisine in both style and price.
"Receiving Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence is an incredible honor and a reflection of what we've worked to create every day at Wife and the Somm, where exceptional cuisine and exceptional wines come together in a warm, welcoming neighborhood setting," said Chris Lucchese, Co-Owner and Sommelier of Wife and the Somm. "We believe great wine should be approachable, exciting, and meant to be shared, and we're proud that our thoughtfully curated wine list and expansive Coravin program allow our guests to discover remarkable wines one glass at a time. This recognition belongs to our entire team and to the guests who continue to support us and share our passion for outstanding food, exceptional wines, and genuine hospitality."
The 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence further establishes Wife and the Somm as one of Southern California's premier culinary and wine destinations, pairing Chris Lucchese’s award-winning Wine Program with Chef Frank Ryan Saporito's elevated, seasonally inspired California cuisine.
"The restaurant industry is rapidly transforming as diners become more selective about when, how and what they drink. As wine drinkers grow more mindful, restaurants are adapting with creative wine programs," said Marvin R. Shanken, Chairman and CEO of Wine Spectator. "Congratulations to the 4,012 restaurants that earned a Restaurant Award and continue to elevate the wine experience for guests around the world. We raise a glass to your success."
Wife and the Somm is located at 3416 Verdugo Road in Glassell Park. Open Wednesday thru Sunday.
Photo Credit: Nick Gingold / Craft Media LA
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