Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winner CuVino Trattoria.Pizza.Enoteca is a casual Italian eatery located about an hour’s drive north from Washington D.C., in Timonium, Md. Brothers Ralph and Angelo Di Biasi grew up working in their father’s restaurants in D.C. and Baltimore. In 2015, the two decided to open their own restaurant featuring a distinct wine focus, with value-driven selections and wine education at the core of the concept.

The menu is crafted by Angelo, who serves as CuVino’s chef, and offers Italian classics like bucatini Bolognese, tagliateli carbonara and zuppe di pesce, plus more imaginative dishes like seared duck breast with cherry Vin Santo sauce and risotto pancakes. Guests can finish off their meal with a variety of housemade gelatos.

At more than 400 selections, the wine list spans the entirety of the Italian boot. The list is strongest in reds from Tuscany and Piedmont. Ralph exercises his passion for sharing his knowledge of Italian wine as wine director. He and his team offer wine-pairing dinners and an approachable under-$25 bottle list. All wines are also available for takeaway at retail pricing.