Milwaukee's Most Serious Wine Room, Full Stop
East Side · Milwaukee · Fine Dining · Visit Website ↗
Updated July 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Bacchus — Bartolotta's’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The list lands on the table with the kind of weight that tells you this place takes wine seriously. Five hundred to eight hundred selections across the major regions — this isn't a restaurant that threw some Cabs on a page and called it a day. Bacchus has clearly invested in building something that can stand alongside the food, which in Milwaukee is a rare thing.
The list skews heavily French and Californian, with real depth in both — not just the famous names but actual producers worth knowing. You'll find Hugel Pinot Gris representing Alsace properly, and William Fevre's Champs Royaux Chablis anchoring the white Burgundy section with a reliable, food-friendly classic. The Champagne section reads like a flex — Krug, Billecart-Salmon, Henriot, Veuve Clicquot all present — though pricing across that section varies wildly from reasonable to eyebrow-raising. If there's a gap, it's that the research hints at a California-heavy tilt that may crowd out some of the more adventurous global selections.
Twenty to thirty-five options by the glass is generous for any market, let alone Milwaukee. Harvey & Harriet's White Blend from San Luis Obispo shows up here as a by-the-glass pick that signals the program isn't just defaulting to the obvious pours. A sommelier on staff means the glass list should rotate with some intention, though we'd want to confirm how often that actually happens.
William Fevre Champs Royaux Chablis — Market
Fevre's Champs Royaux is one of the most consistent, honest Chablis you can order at a restaurant. It's mineral, precise, and made by one of the appellation's best producers — the kind of bottle that punches above its station and works beautifully with half the menu.
Hugel Pinot Gris Alsace
Most tables at a place like this drift toward Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc without a second thought. Hugel's Pinot Gris is the move they're missing — rich but not heavy, with a savory edge that makes it one of the more food-versatile whites on the list.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label NV
At $145 against a ~$60 retail price, this is a 142% markup on a bottle that's already ubiquitous and not particularly special. There are far better Champagne options on this list — Krug at $205 is actually a better value in context. Don't let habit steer you here.
William Fevre Champs Royaux Chablis + Seared Diver Scallops
Unoaked, high-acid Chablis and seared scallops is one of the few wine pairings that borders on mandatory. The Fevre brings salinity and citrus that mirrors the sea without competing with the delicate sweetness of the scallop. Order both and don't second-guess it.
The Bottom Line
Bacchus is the real deal — a wine program that earns its reputation with genuine depth, knowledgeable staff, and a list that rewards curious drinkers. Just steer clear of the tourist-trap Champagne picks and let the sommelier point you somewhere more interesting.
Downtown · Milwaukee · Brazilian Steakhouse
Rodizio Grill Milwaukee is a genuinely fun night out if you're there for the meat and the spectacle — but the wine list is coasting on the restaurant's momentum rather than adding anything to it. Order the Gaucho Club, enjoy the picanha, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverwalk · Milwaukee · Japanese sushi and Asian fusion
Screaming Tuna isn't a wine destination, but it's a sushi spot with a wine list that actually respects the food it's serving — and in Milwaukee, that's worth calling out. Take a chance on the Alsatian whites or the sake program and you'll leave happy.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lower East Side · Milwaukee · French and Italian Riviera-Inspired Fine Dining
Lupi & Iris is doing something genuinely rare in Milwaukee — a wine program with depth, a sommelier who runs real events, and markup that doesn't make you feel like a mark. Send your friends here, and tell them to book early for the DRC dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Downtown · Milwaukee · Seafood-focused Contemporary American
Third Coast Provisions has a genuinely thoughtful wine list for a city that doesn't always demand one — the Burgundy focus is earned, the staff knows what they're doing, and the seafood menu gives those whites every opportunity to shine. The markup keeps it from being a destination for wine alone, but if you're already here for the food, you're in good hands.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Northwest Side · Milwaukee · Italian, Handmade Pasta, Wine Bar
Ca'Lucchenzo is the kind of place that makes you wonder why every Italian restaurant doesn't just commit to Italy this hard on the wine side. It's not a deep cellar, but it's a focused, honest list that actually fits the food — send your friends here and tell them to skip the cocktail.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Brookfield · Milwaukee · Upscale American Steakhouse
Mr. B's is exactly what it promises — a polished, reliable steakhouse wine list that hits all the expected marks without a single surprise. Send a friend here if they want a sure thing; send them somewhere else if they want to be excited.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / The Little Nell · Aspen · Fine Dining
The Little Nell's wine program is the real deal — one of the deepest cellars you'll find anywhere in the mountain West, staffed by people who actually know what they're talking about. The markups will sting and there's no bargain-hunter's night to soften the blow, but if you're eating here, you already knew what you signed up for.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Mount Joy / Greater Lancaster Region · Lancaster · Fine Dining
Cameron Estate Inn is a genuinely lovely place to have dinner, but the wine program is on autopilot — steep markups on recognizable, uninspiring labels with no corkage deal or local wine angle to redeem it. Order a cocktail or commit to the Moët, and spend your wine energy somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montecito · Santa Barbara · Fine Dining
The Stonehouse is not a wine list for everyone, and that's exactly the point — if you have even a passing interest in aged Madeira, rare Port, or dessert wines of serious pedigree, this place belongs on your list. Come for the experience, not the value.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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