Connecticut's Quiet Overachiever Earns Its Stripes
South Glastonbury · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 11, 2026
RagingWine reviewed 2 Hopewell Bistro’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into 2 Hopewell, the wine list doesn't try to intimidate you — and that's actually refreshing. It's a focused 80-120 bottle program that leans confidently into California, France, and Italy, which is exactly what Wine Spectator has recognized since 2010. This is a neighborhood bistro that takes wine seriously enough to matter.
The California backbone is strong here — Caymus, Jordan, Stag's Leap, and Rombauer are all accounted for, hitting the crowd-pleasing notes without being lazy about it. France gets a respectable nod through Louis Jadot Burgundy, and Italy shows up with Santa Margherita holding down the Pinot Grigio lane. What's missing is a little adventure — there's no real deep cuts from Rhône, no Barolo hiding in the back, no skin-contact anything. But what's here is well-chosen and honestly priced in the $35–$120 range, which for Connecticut dining is not a given.
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass is a solid number for a bistro of this size, priced $10–$18 which keeps things accessible. Meiomi Pinot Noir and Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling are reliable anchors on the glass list — dependable, crowd-tested, never embarrassing. We'd love to see more rotation and a few wildcards mixed in, but what's here gets the job done.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $65
Jordan punches well above its price point in the restaurant setting — it's polished, food-friendly, and a known quantity that feels like a splurge without being one. At the lower end of what a Napa Cab costs at a restaurant, this is the move.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Most people breeze past anything labeled Riesling without a second glance. That's their loss. Ste. Michelle's Washington Riesling is crisp, slightly off-dry, and genuinely versatile at the table — and it's likely one of the more affordable pours on this list.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
It's fine. It's always fine. It's also a $12 retail bottle that ends up on every restaurant list in America at a steep markup. You can do better here — and you should.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Roasted Chicken
Stag's Leap brings enough structure and dark fruit to stand up to a roasted bird without steamrolling it. The savory herbs and pan drippings on a well-done roast chicken play directly into the cedar and cassis character the wine brings to the glass.
The Bottom Line
2 Hopewell isn't going to blow a wine nerd's mind, but it's a genuinely solid list in a town where that's not guaranteed — fair prices, good producers, and a Wine Spectator pedigree that's held up for over a decade. Send your parents here; they'll be happy.
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Yountville · American
RH Yountville is a genuinely beautiful place to drink wine — the room earns that much on atmosphere alone, and the California-forward list will keep most guests happy without any friction. But in Yountville, where the competition includes some of the most serious wine programs in the country, 'happy without friction' isn't the same as memorable. Go for the experience, order confidently by region, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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