Hotel Wine List That Doesn't Phone It In
Downtown · Washington · Mediterranean · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The St. Regis hotel dining room brings a 300-label list that takes itself seriously without being stuffy. This isn't a token wine program — there's a sommelier on staff and the list shows real curation, even if the prices reflect that K Street zip code.
The list splits its energy between California and Spain, which makes sense given the Mediterranean menu. You'll find Napa heavyweights like Caymus, Dunn, and Inglenook next to quality Spanish producers like Cuentaviñas from Rioja and Bodegas Emilio Moro from Ribera del Duero. The 18-22 glass pours show thoughtfulness too — Alsace Riesling and Miraval Rosé sit alongside the usual suspects. It's not the most adventurous list in town, but it covers the bases with actual depth rather than just checking boxes.
With nearly 20 options rotating through, the glass program is stronger than most hotel restaurants manage. The inclusion of Alsace Riesling shows someone's thinking beyond Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. The Miraval Rosé is a crowd-pleaser that actually tastes good, not just Instagram-ready. Still, we'd love to see more rotation or seasonal programming to keep things fresh.
Cuentaviñas Rioja — Price unavailable
Classic Rioja that pairs beautifully with the Mediterranean menu without the Napa markup
Alsace Riesling
Most people skip Riesling on hotel wine lists, but this one's got the acidity to cut through rich dishes and the quality to make you remember it
Caymus Cabernet
It's everywhere for a reason, but you're paying hotel pricing on an already-premium bottle — the Spanish reds offer better bang
Bodegas Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero + Any lamb preparation
Tempranillo and lamb is one of those combinations that just works — the wine's got structure and fruit to stand up to Mediterranean spices
✔️ The Bottom Line
This is what a hotel wine list should be: professional, properly stored, fairly deep, and backed by staff who know their stuff. The markup stings, but you're paying for the St. Regis experience. If you're already dropping money on dinner here, the wine program won't let you down.
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Maydan's wine list is one of the most geographically coherent and genuinely adventurous in Washington, DC — it matches the kitchen's ambition and then some. If you're willing to let go of the familiar, this is one of the best by-the-glass programs in the city for opening your eyes to what the wine world looks like beyond Europe.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Moon Rabbit's wine list is doing something rare: it's short enough to read in two minutes and interesting enough to talk about for twenty. If you care about well-chosen, adventurous bottles at prices that won't wreck your dinner bill, send your people here.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Georgetown · Washington · French
Lutèce earns its Wine Spectator nod with a tightly curated French list that goes deeper than the cozy Georgetown bistro setting might suggest. The pricing skews steep once you move past the Loire and Alsace sections, but if you drink strategically — and let Chris point the way — this is a genuinely rewarding wine experience.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Washington · Washington · Spanish
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Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Washington · Washington · Italian
Via Sophia is doing something genuinely focused in a city full of lists that try to please everyone — an all-Italy program with real depth, fair pricing, and a sommelier who actually cares. Send your friends here, tell them to ignore the Sassicaia, and order the Amarone.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Washington · Washington · Seafood
Truluck's is a dependable, well-run wine program that earns its Wine Spectator nod without doing anything surprising — California loyalists and Napa Cab fans will be perfectly happy here. If you want adventure, bring your own recommendations; if you want reliable execution with your stone crab, this delivers.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Chandler Fashion Center area · Chandler · Mediterranean
Pita Jungle isn't a wine destination, but the pricing is honest and the pours are fair. Come for the hummus and shawarma, order a glass without overthinking it, and leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Disney · Anaheim · Mediterranean
Catal is doing the best version of a tourist-district wine list — which still means it's playing not to lose rather than to win. If you're here for a pre-park dinner and want something drinkable without drama, it delivers. Just don't come expecting a wine destination.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Buckhead · Atlanta · Mediterranean
For a hotel restaurant in Buckhead, {Three} Arches is doing more than the minimum — the list is recognizable and functional without being exciting, and the Grüner Veltliner alone earns a small amount of goodwill. Send a friend here if they need wine with dinner; just don't send them if wine is the point of the evening.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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.