Tequila-Forward Spot Where Wine Takes the Backseat
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Mexican · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The name tells you everything: this is an agave house first, wine program second. The list exists because restaurants need wine lists, not because anyone's losing sleep over it. Think crowd-pleasing labels at Florida resort pricing.
The selection leans heavily on safe California reds and whites with a smattering of Spanish options that make sense next to guacamole. You'll find your Kendall-Jackson, your La Crema, maybe a Rioja that's been on the list since opening day. No deep cuts, no natural wine experiments, no sommelier flex. It's the kind of list designed to not offend anyone at a business dinner or girls' night out. The Spanish section is the most interesting part, though it's still playing it safe with big-name Riojas and Albariños.
The glass pour program runs about 6-8 options that rotate never. You're looking at a Pinot Grigio, a Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Rosé, a Pinot Noir, a Cabernet, maybe a Malbec. All recognizable labels, all priced at $12-16 a glass, which feels steep when you're also buying $15 margaritas. The pours are generous enough, served in all-purpose stems or stemless glasses depending on which server you get.
Viña Esmeralda Moscatel-Gewürztraminer — $38
Torres' aromatic white has the florals and spice to stand up to mole and citrus-heavy ceviche without breaking the bank
Marqués de Cáceres Rosado
Most people skip rosé with Mexican food but this Rioja rosé has enough structure for carnitas and the acidity for salsa verde
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
At $120+ it's marked up 3x retail and way too heavy for most of the menu—save your money for the tequila list
Albariño Martín Códax + Baja Fish Tacos
The Galician white's salinity and citrus cut through fried fish and crema like it was born for it
✔️ The Bottom Line
Agave Blu isn't pretending to be a wine destination, and we respect the honesty. Order the Albariño, skip the Napa Cabs, and spend your real money on their agave program.
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Mediterranean
The Terrace Grill isn't where you go to chase down rare bottles or get your mind blown by an unexpected producer — it's where you go to drink well without overthinking it. For waterfront Mediterranean dining in Fort Lauderdale, that's a perfectly respectable offer.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian, Floridian
La Fuga earns its Wine Spectator hardware with a focused Italian-California list that does right by the food — just be prepared for steep markups on the prestige bottles. Send a friend here when they want serious Italian wine with their pasta and a view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · Italian
Anthony's Runway 84 is a Fort Lauderdale institution that knows its audience and delivers exactly what it promises: big Napa names, old-school Italian comfort, and no surprises. Wine-forward diners may find the list a little safe, but the Italian highlights and the fresh Wine Spectator Award of Excellence signal that someone here is paying attention — even if the list isn't ready to take risks.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Ft. Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · Steak House
Steak 954 is a legitimately strong wine program for a beach hotel steakhouse — deep on the producers that matter, proper storage, and a by-the-glass count that punches above its weight. Markups are what they are at this address, but if you pick smart, this is a great place to drink wine with a serious piece of beef.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale Beach · Fort Lauderdale · French, Japanese
MAASS is the real thing — a sommelier-driven program with genuine depth, proper glassware, and staff that actually knows what's in the cellar. Markups run steep at the top end, but this is a Best of Award of Excellence list for a reason, and it earns every bit of the credential.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · American, Farm to Table
Daniel's is a legitimate Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence earner — the list is deep, the heavy hitters are all here, and the room is built for serious wine drinking. The markups sting and there's no sommelier pushing you toward discovery, but if you know what you're looking for, this is one of Fort Lauderdale's best bottles-over-dinner experiences.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Chula Vista Bayfront area · Chula Vista · Mexican
El Torito is not a wine destination — it's a margarita destination, and you should respect that boundary. If someone at the table insists on wine, point them toward the white house pour and move on with your evening.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverside · Riverside · Mexican
El Torito Riverside is not a wine destination and has no ambitions to be one. Come for the tableside guacamole, the carnitas, and the cocktails — and let the wine list collect dust.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Disney District · Anaheim · Mexican
Tortilla Jo's wine list is a tourist trap in list form — overpriced for what it is, underdeveloped for where it sits, and completely indifferent to the cuisine it's supposed to accompany. Order a margarita and move on.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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