McALLEN, Texas — In a major international recognition for the South Texas culinary scene, Blu Brasserie, a casual fine dining establishment nestled in McAllen’s Mercado District, has been awarded the prestigious Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence—placing its wine program among the top 1,800 in the world.
The accolade comes less than ten months after owner Fernando Rocha expanded his boutique wine shop operation into a full-service European restaurant concept.
The Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence—represented by two wine glasses in the publication's rating system—honors restaurant wine lists that display significant vintage depth, broad regional selection across premier global wine regions, and exceptional pairing harmony with the culinary menu.
“It’s something I wanted for like 10 years,” Rocha told the Rio Grande Guardian. “I used to work at a place that had it, and I always wanted one for myself. So it definitely feels good to do it before the first year. But it’s what I worked for, so it’s here, and now we hope to keep it, maintain it, and then go from there.”
According to Rocha, achieving the honor required meticulous attention to detail across every facet of the dining experience, from curated cellar inventory to specialized glassware and certified tableside service.
Blu Brasserie’s wine list features over 600 selections sourced from premier global vineyards, with a strong emphasis on European classics, particularly the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France, alongside aged Napa Valley vintages.
“It’s based on our wine list and our cuisine and the way it matches,” Rocha explained. “Using the right glassware, having the right team, knowing how to explain these things, and then having the menu that matches with it has helped us achieve it for sure.”
To ensure proper presentation and guidance, Rocha keeps three sommelier-trained staff members on the dining room floor every evening.
The collection spans accessible choices to some of the world's most sought-after and rare vintages, including a 2000 Château Le Pin valued at approximately $7,500, alongside rare offerings from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
Rocha’s foray into fine dining began roughly five to six years ago when he operated a local wine shop in McAllen. Over time, he observed a distinct shift in local palate preferences across the Rio Grande Valley.
“I started selling a lot of California, and then I focused a lot on Europe. Now I sell more European wine than American wine, which has been a good surprise and kind of a fun thing to do,” Rocha remarked.
However, selling premier European wines in a retail setting highlighted a missing component: the accompanying culinary pairings.
“I was selling a lot of fine wine, and I got kind of tired of selling it without selling the right food to go with it,” Rocha said. “So we evolved into Blu.”
The restaurant’s location upstairs in McAllen’s Mercado District offers a unique, contrast-heavy atmosphere. While the lower level of the district features a vibrant food hall environment with casual quick-service dining, the upper level houses Blu Brasserie’s intimate 88-seat layout—comprising a 55-seat main dining room and private room capacity for up to 33 guests.
“It’s considered like McAllen’s hidden gem—not necessarily the ideal location for a casual fine dining restaurant that focuses on the finest wines in the world,” Rocha conceded. “But I think there’s a charm to it because you don’t expect it. Once you sit down here, you kind of forget you’re in McAllen, especially inside the Mercado District.”
The menu focuses on high-end delicacies designed to pair seamlessly with the cellar offerings. Dishes feature fresh fish flown in directly from Hawaii, caviar, truffles, dry-aged and Wagyu beef, handmade pastas, and authentic Jamón Ibérico de Bellota imported from southern Spain.
At the same time, Rocha emphasizes accessibility for local diners, offering a flexible pricing structure where patrons can enjoy a three-course meal starting at $36 or opt for a full-scale epicurean tasting experience.
With a successful 10-month launch and international accolades already secured, Rocha has his sights set on long-term growth and higher honors from international rating bodies.
When asked about his personal favorites from the cellar, Rocha pointed to white Burgundies—specifically Puligny-Montrachet from Jean-Claude Ramonet—and small-producer grower Champagnes such as Ulysse Collin and Pierre Péters.
Looking ahead, Rocha envisions establishing McAllen as a recognized wine destination within the state of Texas and beyond.
“The overall goal is to get the maximum award,” Rocha stated. “It’s going to take some years, but I think we’re on the right track, and hopefully, being labeled as a wine destination. So that’s the goal.”
For more information on Blu Brasserie or to view their menu and wine selections, visit blubrasserie.com.
