Cassia Schifter

When chef Daniel Humm reopened Eleven Madison Park in 2021, after the restaurant had been closed for over a year during the height of the pandemic, he did so with a new vision: an entirely plant-based menu. It was a groundbreaking, albeit shocking, decision for the Wine Specator Grand Award-winning restaurant to make in the name of sustainability.

This year, restaurants seem to be looking back to the classics, as wine list trends reflect the best of the past-whether that means featuring more Old World or Old World-style wines, showcasing older vintages or including wines made from old-vine sites and historical, nearly extinct grape varieties. We are also seeing a resurgence of old-school steakhouses. "What's old is new again" seems to be the overarching vibe of 2025, as represented by this year's winners.