REHOBOTH BEACH — For the fourth consecutive year, four SoDel Concepts restaurants received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. This year, a total of seven Delaware restaurants were honored.

SoDel Concepts’ award winners include Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar and Lupo Italian Kitchen in Rehoboth Beach, Bluecoast Seafood Grill + Raw Bar in Bethany Beach and Catch 54 in Fenwick Island.

According to Wine Spectator, the Award of Excellence is given to restaurants with “thoughtfully chosen selections appropriate for the cuisine and representative of a range of regions and styles.” These lists typically offer 90 or more options. This year 1,673 restaurants earned the Award of Excellence.

Sommelier Mike Zygmonski is the director of SoDel Concepts’ wine program.

Mr. Zygmonski, who has overseen the wine program since 2014, said the wines must match SoDel Concepts’ mission to prepare “beautiful, simple food.” 

Even rare wines must be approachable. 

“Fine dining and fine wines don’t need to be intimidating,” he said. “And from our menus to our wine lists, we want our guests to find something that suits their budget and their palate.”

The award recognizes the team’s efforts to curate the collection, he said.