Flying Blind: Limited Intel, Safe Assumptions
East Nashville · Nashville · Modern American · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 2, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Bastion’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
We're working with minimal intel here, so take this with a grain of salt. Based on Nashville's dining scene and Bastion's modern American positioning, we're guessing at a mid-sized list that plays it reasonably safe. No sommelier on staff suggests a more casual approach to wine, which could mean either approachable prices or committee-selected mediocrity.
Without seeing the actual list, we're betting on a solid range of domestic options with some Old World classics sprinkled in. Think Oregon Pinot, California Cab, maybe some Châteauneuf or Rioja for the adventurous. The lack of a dedicated wine professional probably means they're relying on distributor relationships, which can go either way—sometimes you get a buyer with good instincts, sometimes you get whatever the rep is pushing. We'd expect 30-50 bottles, leaning domestic, with markup that reflects Nashville's dining boom pricing rather than actual value.
By-the-glass programs without a somm tend to stick to safe plays. We're guessing 6-8 pours, probably including a Prosecco, a Sancerre or NZ Sauv Blanc, an Oregon Pinot, and a Napa Cab. Rotation likely happens when bottles run out rather than on any strategic schedule. Pours are probably in the $12-16 range, which is Nashville standard but rarely exciting.
2021 A to Z Pinot Noir, Oregon — $52
Educated guess on a crowd-pleasing Oregon Pinot that delivers varietal character without the Willamette Valley prestige tax—if it's on the list
2020 Domaine de la Côte Memorious, Sta. Rita Hills
If they've got anything from this producer, jump on it—Rajat Parr's project delivers Burgundian finesse at California prices, and most people sleep on Sta. Rita Hills
Any Napa Cab over $100
Without a wine director curating, expensive Napa is usually overpriced distributor bait—you're paying for the label, not the liquid
2022 Trimbach Riesling, Alsace + Roasted Half Chicken
Classic modern American protein calls for crisp acidity and stone fruit notes to cut through rich preparation—Trimbach delivers every time
The Bottom Line
We're shooting in the dark here, which isn't ideal. Until we get actual list intel, assume Bastion is your standard reliable Nashville spot—decent wine, decent markup, nothing revolutionary. Worth visiting for the food, but call ahead and ask about their wine program before you get your hopes up.
Nashville · Nashville · Steakhouse
STK Nashville is a nightclub that serves steaks and has a wine list to match the energy — loud, familiar, and not particularly interested in your education. Come for the scene, order the bottle that sounds good to you, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Nashville · American Grille
Del Frisco's Grille Nashville is coasting hard on brand recognition with a wine list that a decent gastropub would be embarrassed by. Swing by for happy hour, grab a $10 pour, and don't expect anyone to help you think about what you're drinking.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · American, French
Gannons is a reliable, well-curated wine destination dressed in hotel restaurant clothing — the sommelier team knows the list, the glass pour selection is strong, and the Italian and French highlights give it more personality than the Napa-heavy surface suggests. The markups lean steep, but the execution earns its Wine Spectator badge. We'd send a friend here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Southern American, Steakhouse
Deacon's won't expand your wine horizons, but if California Cabernet with your steak is the plan — and in Nashville, it often is — Andrew Lizardo's program delivers with confidence. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is earned, even if the list plays it safe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West End · Nashville · Seafood
Halls Catch is the right call for a Nashville seafood dinner when you want a wine list that won't embarrass you — just don't come looking for adventure outside the California zip codes. Send a friend here if they love Napa and know what they're ordering; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Green Hills · Nashville · Seafood, Steakhouse
Char is a dependable, well-executed steakhouse wine list that's built for crowd-pleasing, not adventuring — if California Cabernet is your comfort zone, you'll be happy here. Send a friend who wants a reliable pour with a prime cut; don't send the friend who just got back from a natural wine bar in Copenhagen.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Los Angeles · Modern American
Redbird has made a smart, unusual bet: skip the bottle program entirely and let every guest drink whatever they want, one glass at a time. The list is small but genuinely considered, with fair prices across the board and a few real finds — especially that Châteauneuf-du-Pape at $15 a glass. If you're eating here, drink here.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Round Rock · Modern American
Grey Orchard isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the list punches above its 18-label weight class — fair prices, smart glass pour access, and the RARA bottles keeping things interesting. If you're in Round Rock and want a thoughtful glass over dinner without a lot of drama, this works.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Overland Park · Modern American
Silo Modern Farmhouse punches above its suburban weight class with a white-focused list that shows genuine curation and pricing that won't insult you. It's not a destination wine list, but it's exactly the kind of reliable program that makes a neighborhood restaurant worth coming back to.
Solid Range
Fair
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.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
