When you think about a senior living community you might have some preconceived notions. But what you might not expect is a place that’s award winning — for its wine.
Jody Kosterlitz is the dining room manager here at Mirabelle at ASU. She’s flipping through the extensive wine list at Dolce Vita Bistro, which won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence over the summer.
But getting this award wasn't easy.
"There’s specific qualifications to get this award. You have to have a certain amount of bottle selections on your list, plus be a public restaurant. We happen to have both those things."
So, Kosterlitz decided to throw Mirabella’s name into the ring
"I didn't think there'd ever been a senior living to do it, so we were the first," she says.
And so far, it's the only senior living community in the country to win such an award.
Jim Carpenter is a resident here.
"Wine Spectator is, in my opinion, the bible of wines throughout the world."
Carpenter is a connoisseur and a collector of wine. For him, this award is a very big deal.
"And when they say this restaurant has a wine list award or this restaurant has a Wine Spectator Award for the entire restaurant, that means a lot. It means a lot to them financially, and also to the people who trust Wine Spectator and their opinions," Carpenter said.
Dolce Vita has around 50 to 60 wines available by the glass and many come from smaller, family-owned wineries.
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