Honolulu Restaurant Recognized for Wine Program Mugen, an intimate tasting menu restaurant located in ESPACIO The Jewel of Waikiki, has earned the Award of Excellence in Wine Spectator's 2026 Restaurant Awards, which recognize excellence in restaurant wine service globally. The award recognizes restaurants whose wine lists offer at least 75 selections and feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. This marks a repeat honor for the property. "It is a great honor to have ESPACIO and Mugen once again recognized with Wine Spectator's prestigious Award of Excellence," says Douglas Preisel, Sommelier, Mugen. "This recognition cements our team's passion and commitment to curating an exceptional wine program that complements our epicurean experience at Mugen." Wine Spectator's Restaurant Awards program, launched in 1981, operates across three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence, and the Grand Award. This year, 2,083 restaurants earned the Award of Excellence, while 1,830 received the Best of Award of Excellence and 99 earned the Grand Award, bringing the total to 4,012 winners globally. "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, 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." Mugen holds five-star ratings from the Forbes Travel Guide and is housed within ESPACIO, an ultra-luxury hotel on Waikiki Beach that also holds both Forbes five-star and AAA five-diamond designations. Wine Spectator's special Restaurant Awards issue is available on newsstands as of July 21.
Why It Matters
For fine dining operators, wine program recognition from Wine Spectator carries significant marketing weight and can influence high-end diners' destination and restaurant choices. The award reinforces Mugen's positioning as a culinary destination in Hawaii and validates its wine curation strategy as a competitive differentiator in luxury hospitality.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
