Orange Sky Garners Wine Spectator 'Award of Excellence'

Talking Stick Resort's Signature Restaurant Receives Honor a Year after Opening

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Sep 07, 2011, 09:00 ET

SALT RIVER PIMA-MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY, Ariz., Sept. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Orange Sky, the signature restaurant at luxurious Talking Stick Resort has received an "Award of Excellence" from Wine Spectator magazine's 2011 Restaurant Awards program.

The award is announced in the magazine's Aug. 31 edition and touts the fine dining restaurant's wine list for "offering a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style."

Highly regarded among wine connoisseurs worldwide, the publication's Award of Excellence honors restaurants whose wine lists have at least 100 selections, are well-presented and complement the restaurant's cuisine. In 2011, 3,734 restaurants, located in all 50 states and in 67 other countries, received one of Wine Spectator's Restaurant Wine List Awards.

"Not to sound cliched, but I raise a glass to toast the dedicated management and staff of our Orange Sky Restaurant for receiving this award from Wine Spectator," said Steve Gerken, Senior Director of Hospitality for Talking Stick Resort. "The award is particularly gratifying because our restaurant and resort have only been open since the spring of 2010. To receive such a prestigious award after being open for less than two years is a real tribute to our staff. To achieve such a high level of recognition in such a short time acknowledges their dedication and the quality of food, beverages and service we offer our guests."

To qualify for an award from the magazine, a wine list must present complete, accurate information, including vintages and appellations for all selections, informs Gerken. In addition, complete producer names and correct spellings are mandatory and the overall presentation of the wine list is considered.

Wine lists are evaluated for one of three awards presented by Wine Spectator: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence and Grand Award. This marks the 30th anniversary of the publication's restaurant awards.

The 200-seat Orange Sky Restaurant, on the 15th floor of Talking Stick Resort, features fresh seafood, aged steaks and just-harvested vegetables. With its 360-degree views of the valley's signature orange sunsets (and inspiration for its name), the restaurant has a versatile menu that allows guests to eat light, mix and match and share plates, all depending of their appetites.

The restaurant's wine list features a 245 bottle selection with 30 wines by the glass. A dramatic, glass wine room displays more than 100 of its white wine selections in a temperature controlled environment of 47 degrees, while red wines are stored at 62 degrees in hand-crafted, cedar wood wine racks that surround the Sommelier table. All of Orange Sky's wines are served in lead crystal glassware, appropriate to the varietal.

SOURCE Talking Stick Resort