New Hampshire grapes, surprisingly serious ambitions
Derry Β· Manchester Β· Wine Bar Β· Visit Website β
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Americus, the list does something most restaurant wine programs won't dare: it goes all-in on New Hampshire. Every pour is an estate wine from LaBelle, and that commitment β bold or foolish depending on your priors β gives the whole experience a clarity of purpose that you rarely get anywhere else. Either you're here for it, or you're not.
The list is tight by design, built entirely around LaBelle's own estate production out of Derry. You're looking at cold-hardy varietals β Marquette and Frontenac doing the red work, Chardonnay holding down the white side, and a sparkling program that's more legit than you'd expect this far north. There are fruit wines on the list too, which is either charming or a dealbreaker depending on your tolerance for that sort of thing. What you won't find: Burgundy, Barolo, or a deep cellar of anything imported β this is a closed ecosystem, and it knows it.
Glass pours run $10β$20, which is honest pricing for a winery restaurant in a farmhouse setting. The entire by-the-glass program is estate LaBelle, so every pour is essentially a direct-from-the-source taste of what New Hampshire can do. Rotation isn't clearly documented, but the winery releases seasonally, so expect some movement across the year.
LaBelle Marquette β $10β$20
Marquette is one of the most serious cold-hardy reds being grown in New England right now β structured, dark-fruited, and far more interesting than its obscurity suggests. At winery prices poured with duck confit nearby, this is the move.
LaBelle Frontenac
Most people scroll past Frontenac because the name means nothing to them, but this grape can produce deeply colored, earthy reds with real character when handled right. LaBelle's estate version is worth a serious look β especially if you come in expecting nothing.
LaBelle Fruit Wines
If you're sitting down to duck confit and filet mignon, the fruit wine program is a distraction. These are fine for what they are, but you're at a proper winery restaurant β stay in the grape lane.
LaBelle Marquette + Duck Confit
Marquette's dark fruit and earthy edge cut through the richness of duck confit the way a good RhΓ΄ne red would β only this one was grown 20 minutes away. It's the whole thesis of this restaurant in one course.
Wednesday and Thursday β 50% off glasses of wine and beer, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 6pm
π² The Bottom Line
Americus is not the place to go looking for Chablis or a Napa cult Cab β it's a winery restaurant doing its own thing on its own terms, and when that thing works, it really works. If you're curious about what New England wine actually tastes like in a setting that takes it seriously, this is the place.
Manchester Β· Manchester Β· Wine Bar / Small Plates
Vine Thirty Two is doing the most credible wine program in Manchester, and by a comfortable margin. Send a friend here β just tell them to skip the Whispering Angel and ask questions.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Manchester Β· Manchester Β· Mexican
Margaritas Manchester is a fun night out, and the bar program clearly gets the attention. The wine list is not the reason to come here β order the cocktails, enjoy the room, and don't overthink the glass pours.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Millyard Β· Manchester Β· Casual American
Come here for the burgers and maybe a beer β the wine list is an obligation, not an attraction. If wine matters to your night out, this isn't your spot.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Manchester Β· Manchester Β· Modern American Grill
110 Grill Manchester is the wine equivalent of a reliable friend β not the most exciting person in the room, but they always show up and they never let you down. Send your friends here if they want a decent glass with dinner and zero stress; just don't send the Burgundy nerds.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Willow Β· Manchester Β· Mexican
Shorty's is a margarita bar that happens to have wine on the menu β and the wine knows it. Come for the frozen drinks and the fajitas; leave the wine list to collect dust.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Willow Β· Manchester Β· Tex-Mex
Cactus Jack's is a fun place to eat Tex-Mex and throw back a margarita, and that's exactly the order of operations we'd recommend. The wine list is an afterthought dressed up as a menu section β don't send a friend here for wine unless the friend truly doesn't care about wine.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Β· Atlanta Β· Wine Bar
Vin Atl is doing something most Atlanta wine bars aren't: curating a short list with genuine intention instead of padding it with safe bets. At these prices, it's worth a stop even if you only come for one bottle.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Legacy West Β· Plano Β· Wine Bar
CRΓ Plano punches well above its Legacy West strip-mall setting β 300 bottles and a genuinely active specials calendar make this worth a dedicated visit, not just a last-resort pour before the movie. Just don't come looking for Burgundy and you'll leave happy.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Seven Hills Β· Henderson Β· Wine Bar
The Cask is a genuinely pleasant place to spend an evening β the vibe is right, the crowd is friendly, and the bar snacks do their job. But the wine list is overpriced brand recognition, not a curated program, and no amount of Tuesday specials changes the math on a $40 Josh Cellars.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.