Massimo Felici has lived many lives in the restaurant business, from Manhattan kitchens and a celebrated trattoria in Florence to Michelin recognition on Staten Island. His latest accomplishment came in June, when Don Cheech earned Wine Spectator’s 2026 Award of Excellence for the third consecutive year. For Felici, it was the seventh such honor of his career, including four earned previously at VINUM.
Among the bottles in the temperature-controlled wine cellar is one carrying his own name. Felici now offers Il Grullo Chianti Riserva, a proprietary selection bearing the family name and a playful nod to his Florentine roots and former trattoria, Il Canapone, adding vintner to a résumé that already includes chef, restaurateur, consultant, television personality and community advocate.
