Soby’s receives prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award

South Carolina has its first ever recipient of the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award. Carl Sobocinski has dreamed of winning a Grand for Soby’s New South Cuisine since the restaurant opened in 1997. The highest award given by Wine Spectator has been given to less than 100 restaurants worldwide since the awards inception in 1981; 3 Grand Awards were awarded this year.

Soby’s New South Cuisine is located at 207 South Main Street in downtown Greenville, SC 29601, serving up Southern-inspired dishes in a warm, casually elegant atmosphere

According to their website the Grand Award is “given to restaurants that show an uncompromising, passionate devotion to the quality of their wine programs. These wine lists typically feature 1,000 or more selections, and deliver a serious breadth of top producers, outstanding depth in mature vintages, a selection of large-format bottles, excellent harmony with the menu, and superior presentation. These restaurants offer the highest level of wine service.”

Since opening, Soby’s wine program has been recognized annually by Wine Spectator with 5 Awards of Excellence and 22 Best of Awards. Joining only a handful of other restaurants in the Southeast (9 from Virginia to Florida), Soby’s now holds the most prestigious wine title in the world. Soby’s brings recognition to the state of South Carolina for the first time ever.

Since the day Sobocinski (pictured right) opened Soby’s in 1997, he’s had a Grand dream for this restaurant. In those early days when Greenville didn’t have much culinary acclaim, wine distributors saved their best selections for larger markets in the state.  Carl recognized the lack of wine options would be detrimental to the growth of the Greenville’s overall culinary scene so he went directly to the wineries to get the cult offerings his clientele craved.

The wine program at Soby’s New South Cuisine is the largest selection of wine in a restaurant in the state of South Carolina; currently featuring 4,000 selections (17,000+ bottles). With more than 200 varietals available, sourced from virtually every wine region in the world, Soby’s offers an extensive collection of Champagnes, California Cabernets, Nebbiolos and Burgundies — which pair well with the New South cuisine that Soby’s is known for: braised short ribs, fried green tomatoes and shrimp and grits. More than 70% of the growers in Soby’s wine selection partake in sustainable-farming practices and are focused on organics, biodynamics or regenerative farming.

At the heart of Soby’s wine program is its impressive Wine Cellar, found below the restaurant where temperature-controlled storage for the restaurant’s collection is provided. Additional off-site storage is available as needed.  The cellar features a stunning dining table with seating for 12 guests nestled among the bottles for a distinctive place to host a special dinner party or tasting event.

Photo credit Table 301 Hospitality