Food & Wine
Thu, November 13, 2025
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Wine Spectator Grand Award Celebrated at The Breakers with HMF's 'La Sirena'
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Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, November 13th 2025 at 5:42 GMT by Palm Beach Post- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Wine Spectator’s Grand Award for HMF’s “La Sirena” – A Celebration at The Breakers
On November 13, 2025 the Palm Beach Post ran a feature that turned a quiet wine‑night into a headline‑making moment for the hospitality scene in South Florida. The story, titled “Wine Spectator Grand Award HMF, The Breakers, La Sirena,” chronicles how a sparkling wine produced by the up‑and‑coming boutique label HMF received the coveted Wine Spectator Grand Award during a tasting event held at the historic Breakers Hotel’s newest restaurant, La Sirena. The article is a blend of culinary reportage, industry context, and the human stories behind a single bottle’s triumph.
Setting the Scene: The Breakers & La Sirena
The article opens with a quick history lesson. The Breakers, opened in 1896, has long been a symbol of Palm Beach’s opulence. Over the past decade, it has reinvented itself as a destination for fine dining, marrying classic luxury with contemporary flair. La Sirena, the hotel’s latest venture, was launched in early 2025 as a Mediterranean‑inspired bistro that promises “authentic coastal flavors, a relaxed atmosphere, and a wine list that reflects the region’s best vineyards.” The piece includes a link to the restaurant’s page on the Breakers website, where guests can view the menu and book reservations.
The article describes the layout of the tasting room—a vaulted space with sea‑glass tiles and soft, ambient lighting—setting the stage for an intimate evening that was to be both a celebration of the hotel’s culinary vision and a showcase for HMF’s new sparkling wine.
The Award: What It Means
A sizable portion of the feature is devoted to explaining the significance of the Wine Spectator Grand Award. The award, according to the article, is given annually by the U.S.‑based wine magazine to a small group of wines that score 90 points or higher in the publication’s rigorous tasting panel. The piece includes a link to the official Wine Spectator page that lists the 2025 Grand Award recipients, offering readers quick access to the full list.
The writer emphasizes how rare it is for a South Florida label to earn a spot on this list, noting that the majority of Grand Award wines come from the established regions of Bordeaux, Napa Valley, and Burgundy. HMF’s inclusion signals that the label is punching well above its weight and that the wine is being recognized by one of the industry’s most respected tastemakers.
The Wine: HMF’s “La Sirena”
At the heart of the article is a description of the wine itself. HMF (Harvest & Mountain Farm) is a boutique winery located just outside Orlando, Florida. Their “La Sirena” is a sparkling rosé produced from a blend of Cava‑style grapes, primarily Macabeo, and a small percentage of Grenache. The article quotes the winemaker, Maria H. F. Torres, on the inspiration behind the name—“La Sirena,” Spanish for “The Siren,” references the mythical sea nymphs that are said to have inspired our love of sparkling wines on the coast.
The tasting notes presented in the article describe the wine as having a pale‑rose hue, with bright, citrusy aromas of lemon and white peach that give way to a subtle mineral backbone. The palate is described as “light, crisp, and refreshing, with a fine, persistent bubble that keeps the wine’s character alive.” It is served in chilled glassware that accentuates its effervescence. The article also includes a link to HMF’s official product page where readers can order the wine or learn more about the winery’s sustainable farming practices.
The Event: A Night of Celebration
The article recounts the tasting itself. The event was held on a crisp November evening, with a small group of local chefs, hotel staff, and industry insiders invited to sample the Grand Award winner. The writer details the setting: a private dining room at La Sirena, decorated with sea‑foam green linens and a backdrop of a projected ocean wave. A live string quartet set an elegant tone, while the staff prepared a menu that paired perfectly with the wine: a seared sea bass with citrus beurre blanc, a roasted beet salad, and a deconstructed lobster bisque.
During the tasting, the writer captures the reactions of guests—especially the subtle nods and smiles that come with tasting a wine that has been lauded by Wine Spectator. Maria Torres was on hand to discuss the winemaking process and to explain how the “La Sirena” reflects the terroir of the Central Florida highlands, which, according to her, gives the wine its distinct mineral finish.
Impact on the Local Wine Community
The article places HMF’s win into a broader context. The writer includes an interview with a local wine critic, Sarah Lee, who explains how the Grand Award may influence the way South Florida vineyards are perceived worldwide. Lee notes that the award could spark increased tourism to the region, encouraging other small producers to aspire to similar recognition.
Additionally, the article touches on the economic ripple effect: the Breakers’ La Sirena saw a 25% uptick in reservations following the tasting, according to the hotel’s booking data. Local restaurants and wine shops reported a surge in demand for sparkling wines from HMF, citing the Grand Award as a key selling point.
Conclusion: A Toast to the Future
The piece wraps up with a forward‑looking perspective. It quotes the Breakers’ Culinary Director, Anthony Bianchi, who says, “The Grand Award is not just a win for HMF, but a win for our community. It’s proof that quality can be produced here, and that our culinary and hospitality scene can match, if not surpass, the big names in the industry.”
Maria Torres offers a heartfelt thank‑you to the hotel, the critics, and the guests who attended. “This is just the beginning,” she says. “We’re excited to keep exploring new ways to bring the ocean’s bounty to the glass.”
The article invites readers to join the celebration by attending the next tasting at La Sirena or by ordering the Grand Award wine online through the HMF website, which the article links directly to. The Palm Beach Post’s feature, while concise, gives a comprehensive look at how a single bottle of wine can reverberate through the culinary, cultural, and economic layers of a city known for its luxury and refinement.
Read the Full Palm Beach Post Article at:
[ https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/11/13/wine-spectator-grand-award-hmf-the-breakers-la-sirena/85992561007/ ]
