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Vintage Year and Ravello Ristorante Again Earn Coveted Wine Spectator Awards

June 25, 2025 | Leave a Comment

Vintage Year and Ravello Ristorante have once again been recognized for excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine, earning 2025 Restaurant Awards for their outstanding wine programs. Both restaurants received the Award of Excellence, which honors establishments whose wine lists feature a well-curated selection of quality producers and reflect thoughtful alignment with the menu in both price and style.

“It’s a true honor to be recognized again by Wine Spectator,” said proprietor Jud Blount. “Our wine program is built on intentional pairings, a deep respect for producers from around the world, and a commitment to offering something special for both the casual sipper and seasoned enthusiast.”

“A wine list is a restaurant’s identity in print, and this year’s Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners reflect both deep knowledge and a passion for discovery,” said Marvin R. Shanken, Wine Spectator Editor and Publisher. “We raise a glass to all our winners.”

Vintage Hospitality Group continues to elevate Montgomery’s culinary scene through its diverse concepts. Its flagship, Vintage Year, is a fine-dining destination, while Vintage Café offers a laid-back daytime menu and coffee experience. The group also operates Frenchie’s, a chic French bistro, all located in Montgomery’s historic Old Cloverdale neighborhood. Downtown, Ravello Ristorante remains a go-to for upscale Italian fare, accompanied by Bar Attico on the rooftop several private event spaces.

Additionally, Vintage Hospitality Group owns MGM Greens, a hydroponic farm, and Red Bluff Bar, a riverfront venue offering live music, curated wines, local brews and light bites along the Alabama River.

Vintage Hospitality Group has earned national attention in outlets including The New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, Garden & Gun, PBS NewsHour, USA Today, Forbes, and Newsweek.

For interviews, images or a complimentary media tasting, please contact Lorrie Dixson Griggs at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com. Visit www.vintagehg.com to learn more about Vintage Hospitality Group.

Filed Under: Sales and Events Tagged With: mgm eats, Montgomery dining, montgomery wine, Ravello Ristorante, Vintage Hospitality Group, Vintage Year, Wine Spectator, Wine Spectator winner

Vintage Hospitality Group Takes Top Alabama Hospitality Award

November 9, 2021 | Leave a Comment

Martha and Jud Blount, Eric and Alyssa Rivera

Vintage Hospitality Group gains recognition with prestigious honors at the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association’s Stars of the Industry Awards. Proprietor Jud Blount won the Restaurateur of the Year award for showing exemplary customer and community service, employee relations, and dedication to advancing the foodservice industry of Alabama. Executive Chef Eric Rivera was a finalist in the Chef of the Year category for his creative culinary excellence, staff rapport and reputation of community involvement. Both were nominated by their peers and an esteemed panel of judges as of the “Best of the Best” for 2021.

“Eric and I are honored and humbled to bring home the trophy to Montgomery,” said Vintage Hospitality Group Proprietor Jud Blount. “We celebrate the honors along with our committed VHG team.”

While Vintage Hospitality Group’s flagship restaurant Vintage Year is a fine dining establishment, Vintage Café is a coffee shop, daytime eatery and retail store. As the group also owns the hydroponic farm MGM Greens, it will be also opening City Fed in downtown in early 2022 that will include Ravello, a new Italian eatery, along with several private event spaces. Vintage Hospitality Group’s national press accolades include receiving mentions in the New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Newsweek Magazines. In addition to being named a Smart Catch Leader, Executive Chef Eric Rivera has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation as a winner of its Blended Burger competition. Vintage Year has also been named one of OpenTable’s 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America and a Traveler’s Choice winner by Trip Advisor. Vintage Hospitality Group is dedicated to providing guests with the finest culinary selections, premium coffees, specialty teas, outstanding wines and spirits along with unparalleled customer service.

For additional information, interviews, photos or a complimentary media tasting, please contact Lorrie Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com. For more information about Vintage Hospitality Group, visit www.vintagehg.com.

Filed Under: Sales and Events Tagged With: Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association, Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association’s Stars of the Industry Awards, Best chef, best restauranteur, Chef Eric Rivera, Jud Blount, mgm eats, Montgomery, Montgomery restaurants, Vintage Café, Vintage Hospitality Group, Vintage Year

Vintage Hospitality Group Expands its State of the Art Hydroponic Farm in Montgomery, Alabama

September 10, 2020 | Leave a Comment

In partnership with Alabama Power, Vintage Hospitality Group recently expanded MGM Greens by adding Freight Farm’s Greenery, a fully climate-controlled hydroponic farm built inside of a compact 320 sq. ft. container. This smart farm is self contained, growing vertically and hydroponically without soil, getting its nutrition from water and light energy from powerful LEDs. Through these climate controlled components, plants can thrive inside the containers offering the capability to harvest fresh produce multiple times a week and grow 365 days a year. This addition lets MGM Greens work within multiple environments to grow additional produce allowing a diverse crop yield for its restaurants, Vintage Cafe and Vintage Year, both 50 feet away. With the Greenery expansion, the group is selling retail and also plans to host its own local neighborhood farmers market on a monthly basis.

“Purchasing the second Greenery has allowed us to now be able to curate our menu based on new successful crops,” said Vintage Hospitality Group’s Executive Chef Eric Rivera. “It will further maximizing growing potential as it also offers the capability for multiple test crops for upcoming menus at our new restaurant, Ravello.”

While Vintage Hospitality Group’s flagship restaurant Vintage Year is a fine dining establishment, Vintage Café is a coffee shop, daytime eatery and retail store. As the group also owns MGM Greens, it will be opening City Fed and Ravello restaurant in 2021. Vintage Hospitality Group’s national press accolades include receiving mentions in the New York Times, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and Newsweek Magazines. In addition to being named a Smart Catch Leader, Executive Chef Eric Rivera has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation as a winner of its Blended Burger competition. Chef Eric has also led Vintage Year to be named one of OpenTable’s 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America and a Traveler’s Choice winner by Trip Advisor. Vintage Hospitality Group is dedicated to providing guests with the finest culinary selections, premium coffees, specialty teas, outstanding wines and spirits along with unparalleled customer service.

For additional information, interviews, photos or a complimentary media tour, please contact Lorrie Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com. For more information about Vintage Hospitality Group, visit www.vintagehospitalitygroup.com.