Connecticut's Quiet Overachiever Earns Its Stripes
South Glastonbury · 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.
Central Boca / Glades Road · Boca Raton · American
J. Alexander's Boca Raton is a reliable, no-drama wine stop that won't embarrass you on a business dinner or a first date — just go in knowing the markups are real and steer toward Jordan or Sonoma-Cutrer instead of the list's cheaper options. We'd send a friend here for the steak, not the wine discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Roanoke / Franklin Road · Roanoke · American
Shakers isn't a wine destination — it's a reliable neighborhood spot where the wine program does its job without drama. If you're here for ribs and a casual pour, you'll leave satisfied; just don't show up expecting discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Roanoke / Williamson Road · Roanoke · American
Hollywood's is a genuinely charming neighborhood spot, and the wine list is exactly what it needs to be for a casual lunch crowd — cheap, safe, and inoffensive. Don't come here for the wine; come here for the soup, and order the Riesling if you want something in your glass.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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