Savannah's Dressed-Up France-Meets-Napa List
Downtown Savannah · Savannah · Farm to Table, Seasonal · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 13, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into the 1540 Room, the wine list feels like it was assembled by someone who did their homework — France and California front and center, nothing too weird, nothing embarrassing. It's a serious list for a serious room, and it earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence without being flashy about it. Think polished, not adventurous.
The list clocks in around 150-250 bottles, leaning hard into the two pillars: French classics and California heavyweights. Burgundy is represented by Drouhin and Jadot — reliable maisons that won't shock anyone but won't disappoint either — while Bordeaux classified estates add some prestige weight. California brings in Stag's Leap and Jordan on the Cab side, plus Rombauer and Far Niente for Chardonnay lovers who want that rich, opulent style. Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir adds a bit of cooler-climate nuance, though the list doesn't push deep into lesser-known producers or Old World outliers. If you're hunting for grower Champagne or a left-field Jura find, look elsewhere.
Twelve to twenty pours by the glass is a respectable spread for a restaurant of this size, and pricing runs $12-$18 — fair for Savannah's dining scene. The glass program appears to mirror the bottle list's France-California axis, so expect Chardonnay, Cab, and maybe a Bordeaux-adjacent red as your reliable anchors. Rotation doesn't seem to be a major feature here; what's on is on.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $40-range on list
Jordan consistently over-delivers at its price point — structured, food-friendly, and far more restrained than the Napa bombs on the same list. In an elegant room like this, it's the Cab that actually lets the food speak.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Most tables here are zeroing in on the Napa Cabs or the French bottles, but the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is quietly the most versatile pour on the list. It's got the acidity to cut through the farm-to-table preparations and enough red fruit to keep it interesting glass after glass.
Rombauer Chardonnay
Rombauer is a crowd-pleaser, but it's also one of the most marked-up wines in America — you've almost certainly paid too much for it before. At restaurant prices in a fine dining room, you're paying a steep premium for a bottle you could find at your local grocery store. Far Niente is the better Chardonnay call here if you want California richness.
Drouhin Burgundy (Pinot Noir) + May River, SC Oysters with Turmeric & Carrot Granita and Aromatic Herb Oil
The delicate salinity of May River oysters with that bright, herby granita needs something with finesse, not weight. A Drouhin Burgundy brings enough earthy red fruit and acid to complement without bulldozing — it's the kind of pairing that makes the whole table go quiet for a second.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The 1540 Room is a dependable, well-curated list in one of Savannah's most atmospheric dining rooms — you won't find anything to argue with, but you won't find anything to be shocked by either. Send your friends here when they want a great bottle with a great meal and zero drama.
Historic District · Savannah · Port City Southern
The Grey proves that a curated, adventurous wine list can be just as impressive as a 700-bottle cellar. James Beard Outstanding Chef Mashama Bailey's food demands a wine program that matches its ambition, and the sommelier team delivers — with indigenous varietals, natural wines, and by-the-glass pours you won't find anywhere else in the Southeast. Come for the food, stay for the wine education you didn't know you needed.
Adventurous & Curated
Worth It
Varietal Specific
Sommelier Led
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Thomas Square · Savannah · Southern
Common Thread is Savannah's rising wine sleeper. Libby Burk is building one of the most interesting sommelier-driven programs in the Southeast — indigenous varietals, natural wines, and a genuine passion for making wine accessible and fun. Not as deep as Common's 710-bottle cathedral, not as famous as The Grey's James Beard pedigree, but arguably the most exciting wine program in town for anyone who wants to learn something new every visit.
Adventurous
Fair
Proper
Sommelier Led
Wine Club & Events
Proper
Historic District · Savannah · Southern American
Common isn't just the best wine program in Savannah — it's one of the best in the Southeast. 710 selections including first-growth Bordeaux verticals, Grand Cru Burgundy, and Napa trophy wines, backed by a three-sommelier team. The $25 corkage fee is fair if you bring something the list doesn't cover, but good luck finding a gap. Plan a trip around this one.
Encyclopedic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Sommelier Team
Rotating
Cellar Proper
Historic District · Savannah · Southern American
Come for the pirate history and the She-Crab soup, but leave wine expectations at the door. This list exists to fill a checkbox, not to enhance your meal—order a cocktail or local beer instead.
Crowd Pleasers
Gouge
Red Flag
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Historic District · Savannah · Italian Steakhouse
Pacifico won't change your wine life, but it won't ruin your dinner either. If you're here for the steaks and want a safe Italian red, you'll be fine. Just don't expect value or adventure.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Historic District · Savannah · American
Vic's won't blow your mind with wine, but it won't ruin your riverfront dinner either. Order smart, skip the trophy bottles, and you'll drink well enough while watching the Savannah River roll by.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
White River Junction · White River Junction · Farm to Table, Seasonal
A Vermont farm-to-table spot with a Wine Spectator nod and a California list that was clearly built by people who drink this stuff — that's worth a detour. Add Tuesday half-price wine night and this becomes mandatory.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Grants Pass · Grants Pass · Farm to Table, Seasonal
Partake Dine is the Wine Spectator sleeper pick of Southern Oregon — a focused, honest list in a town that doesn't get nearly enough credit for good eating and drinking. If you're passing through Grants Pass, this is worth stopping for.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Temecula · Temecula · Farm to Table, Seasonal
Corkfire Kitchen is a genuine wildcard — a resort restaurant that actually cares about its wine list, leans into local Temecula producers, and prices things like it wants you to order a second bottle. If you're wine tasting in the Valley and need a proper dinner stop, this earns a seat at the table.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.