Decent pours with a view worth having
Bayfront · Erie · Hotel Restaurant / American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 11, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Bayfront Grille at Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here reads exactly like you'd expect from a Sheraton hotel restaurant — familiar names, safe picks, and nothing that's going to make you call a friend. That said, the waterfront setting earns some goodwill, and the list isn't embarrassing, just unadventurous.
The list leans heavily California with some nods to Washington, Italy, and France rounding out the edges. You'll recognize most of the names from your local grocery store shelf — Meiomi, Sonoma-Cutrer, Stag's Leap — which tells you everything about the curatorial ambition here. There's no real regional depth, no indie producers, and no surprises lurking on page two. It's a list built to avoid complaints, not to inspire them.
The by-the-glass program runs somewhere in the 8-14 range, which is adequate for a hotel dining room. Expect the usual suspects — a Chardonnay, a Cab, maybe a Pinot Noir — but don't expect much rotation or seasonal excitement. What you see is what you get, and it's been that way for a while.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay — $14
It's a widely available bottle, sure, but Sonoma-Cutrer's Russian River Ranches is genuinely well-made — leaner and more precise than your average hotel pour. If you're drinking Chardonnay with the seafood, this is the move.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Most people ordering steak at a hotel restaurant go on autopilot and pick whatever red sounds familiar. Stag's Leap is actually worth seeking out here — it's a Napa name with real pedigree, and in a list this flat, it quietly stands above everything around it.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is everywhere, costs about $15 retail, and gets marked up hard at hotel restaurants. It's sweet, simple, and doesn't do anything interesting. You can do better on this list.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay + Seafood dishes
The Russian River Ranches Chardonnay has enough acidity to cut through richer seafood preparations without bulldozing the plate — it's the most natural match on a list that doesn't offer many other compelling options for fish.
✔️ The Bottom Line
If you're already staying at the Sheraton and want wine with dinner, Bayfront Grille won't ruin your night — but it won't give you a story to tell, either. Come for the bay view, not the bottle list.
Peach Street Corridor · Erie · Steakhouse
The markup here is genuinely fair, which is the nicest thing we can say — you're not getting ripped off, you're just not getting anything interesting either. If wine matters to you, drink whatever's cheapest and put your attention where it belongs: the steak.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Peach Street Corridor · Erie · Steakhouse / American
Texas Roadhouse is not a wine destination and makes no pretense of being one — the food is the draw and the wine list is an afterthought wearing a flannel shirt. Order a beer, a margarita, or just lean into the Woodbridge Cab and enjoy your steak.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Peach Street Corridor · Erie · Seafood-focused American casual dining
Red Lobster Erie is not a wine destination — it's a seafood chain with a functional, forgettable list that keeps the table watered without inspiring anyone. Order the Chateau Ste. Michelle, enjoy your biscuits, and save the serious bottle for another night.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North East · Erie · Winery Cafe
Presque Isle is a wild card in the best sense: an estate winery patio that prices at retail and pours wines you genuinely cannot find anywhere else. If you're passing through Lake Erie wine country and skip this stop, you've missed the point of the trip.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Nearby Region · Erie · Winery Tasting Room
Johnson Estate is a destination for people who want to drink where the wine is made, not a stop for those chasing a deep cellar experience. If you're anywhere near Lake Erie and curious about what this AVA can actually do with Riesling, it's worth the detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
North East · Erie · Winery / Brewpub
Yori isn't trying to be anything other than what it is — a scrappy, all-in local winery pouring its own stuff at prices that make you want to order a second round. If you've never explored Lake Erie hybrid wines, this is the most affordable classroom in the region.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Meridian / 96th Street corridor · Carmel · Hotel Restaurant / American
Grille 39 is fine — and fine is the ceiling. If you're staying at the hotel and don't want to drive anywhere, the wine list will get you through dinner without incident. Just don't go out of your way for it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Sioux Falls · Sioux Falls · Hotel Restaurant / American
This is a wine list for people who aren't thinking about wine, and that's fine — the Holiday Inn City Centre isn't trying to be a wine destination. Order the Ste. Michelle Riesling, skip everything else, and save the real drinking for somewhere else in Sioux Falls.
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.