Hamilton’s Kitchen at The Alfond Inn Wins 2026 Wine Spectator Restaurant Award
6/23/2026
(Winter Park, FL— June 23, 2026) – The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel in the heart of historic Winter Park, is pleased to announce that its signature restaurant, Hamilton’s Kitchen, has earned a 2026 Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” for its wine program. The complete list of 2026 award winners is now available on Wine Spectator’s website and will appear in the magazine’s August issue dining guide.
The recognition follows a thoughtful revitalization of the restaurant’s wine program as well as the broader food and beverage experience. Developed under the leadership of Michael Briggs, Managing Director of The Alfond Inn at Rollins, with Executive Chef Antwan Ellis and Director of Food & Beverage Marcus Henry, the wine program was curated to complement Hamilton’s Kitchen’s “Florida Southern” culinary philosophy, which highlights locally sourced ingredients and classic Southern influences with a distinctive Florida flair. Together, the program and culinary approach pair this national recognition with a strong sense of regional identity.
“Earning this recognition from Wine Spectator is a proud moment for Hamilton’s Kitchen and for The Alfond Inn,” said Michael Briggs, Managing Director of The Alfond Inn at Rollins. “We have made a focused effort to strengthen our wine program in a way that reflects the character of our restaurant: thoughtful, approachable, and complementary to Chef Antwan Ellis’s Florida Southern cuisine. Marcus Henry and our team have been instrumental in shaping a list that invites discovery and suits the sensibility of Hamilton’s Kitchen perfectly.”
Hamilton’s Kitchen’s wine program places equal importance on quality, approachability, education, and exploration. The collection is organized by varietal, style, region, and vintage, with a strong domestic focus alongside carefully selected international offerings. Premium wines are presented in Schott Zwiesel stemware, while a rotating selection of premium wines by the glass offers guests an approachable way to experience a range of bottles across regions, styles, and price points.
Chef Antwan Ellis and Marcus Henry also host tasting dinners and seasonal prix fixe menus with optional wine pairings, creating opportunities for guests to experience Hamilton’s Kitchen’s cuisine in closer dialogue with its evolving wine list. These offerings have become a favorite among guests and further position Hamilton’s Kitchen as a destination for thoughtful wine and dining in Winter Park.
Located inside The Alfond Inn at Rollins, Hamilton’s Kitchen is part of a singular hospitality experience that brings together dining, art, culture, and community. The hotel is home to more than 400 works from The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art and directs net operating income toward student scholarships at Rollins College, extending its mission beyond hospitality and into education.
ABOUT THE ALFOND INN AT ROLLINS
A member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts L.V.X.SM collection, The Alfond Inn at Rollins has a AAA Four Diamond Rating and is managed by Olympia Hotel Management, an innovative leader in hospitality. Owned by Rollins College, a private coeducational liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida, The Alfond Inn opened in August 2013 and directs net operating income to Rollins College scholarships. The 183-room boutique hotel offers The Spa at The Alfond Inn, two pools, a 6,000-square-foot Amenity Deck, a fitness center, and 12,400 square feet of flexible meeting space. The award-winning Hamilton's Kitchen restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while The Café offers lighter bites and beverages. The hotel is located 15 minutes from downtown Orlando and 30 minutes from Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport. The Alfond Inn at Rollins, 300 East New England Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789. 407-998-8090. www.thealfondinn.com
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