A Wine Lovers Guide to Hilton Head Island

By Chris Katon, July 23, 2013

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC –  Wine savvy travelers and gourmet food enthusiasts have a mouthful of options while planning an epicurean vacation to Hilton Head Island.

Wine Spectator Magazine has released its annual guide to the world’s best restaurants for wine lovers, which recognizes one dozen local restaurants for wine excellence.

Food and wine enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana for home-made Italian specialties, a culinary school, specialty food market and delicious wines. 

The popular family-owned and operated restaurant offers expertly paired selections of Wine Flights, a Captain’s List and a Private Reserve List, featuring top rated selections of highly regarded, tightly allocated California and Italian wines.

Luxury travelers will be remiss not to visit the iconic River House at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff, located less than a thirty minute drive from the beaches of Hilton Head. The AAA Five-Diamond rated resort is annually listed among with top-rated destination resorts in the world.

The River House at the Inn at Palmetto Bluff; Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte and Red Fish Restaurant are winners of the prestigious “Best of Award of Excellence.”

Wine Spectator defines this second-tier award as having been established to give special recognition, “showcasing lists that display either vintage depth, with vertical offerings of several top producers from major regions, or excellent breadth spread over several wine growing regions.”

A visit to Sea Pines Resort isn’t complete without a visit to Harbourtown Grille or Topside Waterfront Restaurant, which offers views of Harbourtown Golf Course and it’s landmark lighthouse.

Mid-island restaurants featured include Sea Grass Grille, HH Prime and Cranes Tavern. The popular Skull Creek Boathouse, Black Marlin Bayside Grille, Old Oyster Factory and Alexander’s Restaurant are also recognized.

The 2013 Wine Spectator awards for wine excellence include nearly 3,800 restaurants, spanning all 50 states and 75 countries around the world.