NEW ORLEANS – Pulcinella!, a Southern Italian restaurant located in the heart of the Historic 7th Ward of New Orleans, has earned its first Wine Spectator Restaurant Award, receiving the Award of Excellence. The distinction 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.
“Only two years after welcoming our first guests, to be recognized by Wine Spectator is an incredible honor,” says Andrew Principe, co-owner and wine director of Pulcinella!. “Our wine program was inspired by my Sicilian roots and the Italian immigrant story often overlooked in New Orleans.”
The award-winning wine program pays tribute to the generations of Italian immigrants, whose influence on food, wine and hospitality has shaped New Orleans’ culinary landscape. With more than 130 labels and over 1,000 bottles on site, they’re curated to tell a story across four acts:
- Italian wine benchmarks
- North American wines influenced by Italian families and traditions
- New World wines shaped by Italian winemaking
- Selections pairing beautifully with the Pulcinella! menu
Click here to see complete wine list
“It’s a love letter to the traditions that continue to influence the way we wine and dine today,” Principe adds.
Designed to spark conversation and connection, Pulcinella!’s curated tastings and “sip, listen + learn” educational series introduces guests to classic Italian wines and lesser-known varietals. The wine program’s emphasis on discovery and storytelling extends to the dining experience, with each bottle selected complementing the menu and elevating the flavors, stories and traditions behind each dish.
Pulcinella!’s menu honors Sicilian traditions through family-inspired recipes, locally sourced ingredients and the modern influence of Italian-American culture in New Orleans. Signature dishes include Seafood Cannelloni filled with Gulf shrimp and crab, Eggplant Parmesan, Bucatini all’Amatriciana and The Meatball, which has become one of the restaurant’s defining dishes.
To learn more about Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards, visit https://www.winespectator.com/articles/about-the-awards.
Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue becomes available to readers on Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
About Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator is the world’s leading authority on wine. Anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication that reaches around 3 million readers worldwide, the brand also encompasses the Web’s most comprehensive wine site (WineSpectator.com), mobile platforms and a series of signature events. Wine Spectator examines the world of wine from the vineyard to the table, exploring wine’s role in contemporary culture and delivering expert reviews. Parent company M. Shanken Communications, Inc., also publishes Cigar Aficionado, Whisky Advocate, Market Watch, Shanken News Daily and Shanken’s Impact Newsletter.
Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards, launched in 1981, represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. There are three recognition levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award.