Page 23 - Jackpot Magazine Tunica ~ August, 2026

Wine Spectator Awards announced
Pearl River Resort’s Phillip M’s earns Best of Award of Excellence
MISSISSIPPI — Wine Spectator
recently announced its award-winning
restaurants for 2026. In Mississippi, 17
restaurants made the list. Of those, sev-
en were casino restaurants. Wine Spec-
tator’s Restaurant Awards recognize
restaurants whose wine lists offer inter-
esting selections, are appropriate to their
cuisine and appeal to a wide range of
wine lovers.
To qualify for an award, a wine list
must present complete, accurate infor-
mation, including vintages and appella-
tions for all selections. Complete pro-
ducer names and correct spellings are
mandatory, and the overall presentation
of the list is also considered. Lists that
meet these requirements are judged for
one of Wine Spectator’s three awards. A
little over 4,000 restaurants worldwide
were recognized.
“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.”
There were two Mississippi casino
restaurants to receive the coveted Best
of Award of Excellence. These wine lists
display excellent breadth across multiple
winegrowing regions and/or significant
vertical depth of top producers, along
with superior presentation. Typically
offering 350 or more selections, these
restaurants are destinations for serious
wine lovers, showing a deep commitment
to wine, both in the cellar and through
their service team.
Receiving a Best of Award of Ex-
cellence designation were Phillip M’s at
Pearl River Resort and thirty-two at IP
Casino Resort
& Spa in Biloxi.
Five Mis-
sissippi casi-
no restaurants
were awarded
an Award of
Excellence, and
four of them
are located at
one casino and
all of them are in Biloxi.
These wine lists, which should offer at
least 90 selections, feature a well-chosen
assortment of quality producers, along
with a thematic match to the menu in
both price and style.
Whether compact or extensive, fo-
cused or diverse, these lists deliver suf-
ficient choice to satisfy discerning wine
lovers.
Receiving an Award of Excellence
designation were BR Prime Steak-
house, Coraline’s, Jia, and Stalla Ital-
ian Kitchen at Beau Rivage, and Mor-
ton’s, The Steakhouse at Golden Nug-
get Biloxi.
Below are more details on the restau-
rants on the list including wine strengths,
selections, restaurant staff and more:
Best of Award of Excellence
• Phillip M’s at Pearl River Resort
Strengths: Burgundy, France,
California
800 selections
6,640 inventory
Wine Director and GM: Phillip Morris
Chef: Zachary Weaver
• thirty-two at IP Casino Resort & Spa
Strengths: California, France, Italy,
Washington, Oregon and Germany
Selections: 740
Inventory: 8,200
Wine Director: Stephen Morgan
Sommelier and GM: Nancy Nguyen
Chef: Matthew Kallinikos
THE SOUTH’S LARGEST GUIDE TO GAMING & FUN • www.jackpotmagazine.com The wine room at Phillip M’s at Pearl River Resort
Award of Excellence
• Morton’s, The Steakhouse at Golden
Nugget Biloxi
Strengths: California
Selections: 225
GM: Brent Bingham
• BR Prime Steakhouse at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California
Selections: 320
Inventory: 5,000
Wine Director: Charlene Egan
Chef: Brandon Wright-Bodine
GM: Corey Boykin
• Coraline’s at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California, France
Selections: 320
Inventory: 5,000
Wine Director: Charlene Egan
Chef: Austin Dedeaux
GM: Sarah Deutsch
• Jia at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California
Selections: 315
Inventory: 5,000
Wine Director: Charlene Egan
Chef: Nattalie Henderson
GM: Laura Schurb
• Stalla Italian Kitchen at Beau Rivage
Strengths: California
Selections: 310
Inventory: 5,000
Wine Director: Charlene Egan
Chef: Christian Cheskevick
GM: Jamie Suddeth
August 2026 • JACKPOT! MAGAZINE 23