Beer Country. Wine Took a Wrong Turn.
Superstition Springs · Mesa · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 22, 2026
RagingWine reviewed BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Superstition Springs’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at BJ's Superstition Springs reads exactly like you'd expect from a national brewpub chain — it's an afterthought stapled to the back of a beer menu. If you came here for wine, you've already made a decision you're going to have to live with.
The list runs 20-odd bottles deep and doesn't stray far from the supermarket shelf: Dark Horse, Apothic, Ecco Domani, Hess Select. These are all California-forward, mass-produced labels you've seen at every chain restaurant from here to the airport. There's no real regional exploration, no producer story, and no reason to linger on the wine list longer than it takes to flip past it. The gap between what they stock and what a curious drinker wants is wide enough to drive a delivery truck through.
Ten to sixteen options by the glass isn't bad on paper, but when the roster is anchored by Dark Horse Cabernet and Chardonnay, quantity isn't doing you any favors. The saving grace is the happy hour window — Mon-Fri 3-7 PM and Sun-Thu after 9 PM, select pours drop to $6, which at least makes the decision feel lower-stakes.
Hess Select Chardonnay — $6
During happy hour, this is the most honest pour on the menu — Hess Select punches above the Dark Horse tier and at $6 it's genuinely hard to argue with.
Hess Select Chardonnay
Most people at BJ's are ordering Dark Horse on autopilot. Hess Select is a step up in seriousness — it actually comes from a real winery with a real story — and it's flying under the radar here.
Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend
Apothic Red is engineered for maximum inoffensiveness and sells for $10 at the grocery store. Whatever they're charging here for the pleasure of drinking it with a Pizookie isn't worth it.
Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon + Deep Dish Pizza
Look, we're not pretending this is a life-changing combination. But a fruit-forward, low-tannin Cab against BJ's deep dish — loaded with cheese and tomato sauce — actually holds up fine. Sometimes you just need something that doesn't fight the food.
Mon-Fri & Sun-Thu — Select wines (Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay) at $6/glass during Mon-Fri 3:00-7:00 PM and Sun-Thu 9:00 PM to close. Not a dedicated half-price wine night, but the best window to drink here.
The Bottom Line
BJ's is a great place to drink a craft beer. The wine program exists, technically, and the happy hour pricing keeps it from being a total loss — but if wine is your priority tonight, you're at the wrong address.
· Mesa · Wine Bar / Small Plates
Cork & Craft is exactly what it looks like: a comfortable, unthreatening wine bar for people who want good-enough wine without homework. Not the spot for discovery, but a solid neighborhood pour in a town that doesn't have many.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Mesa · French Steakhouse / Bistro
A French bistro in the East Valley that runs an all-sparkling wine list anchored by Grower Champagne and topped with Egly-Ouriet and Selosse is not something you expect to exist, and yet here we are. If you're a Champagne nerd, this list is worth the trip; if you wanted a Cab with your steak, you're going to have a rough night.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Mesa · American Grill / Wine Bar
Il Vinaio is a reliable neighborhood wine bar punching slightly above its weight with a few smart, unexpected picks tucked into an otherwise crowd-pleasing list. If you're in Mesa and want a real glass of wine with dinner, this is where we'd send you.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Dana Park · Mesa · Seafood
King's Fish House Mesa is a reliable seafood dinner, and the wine list won't embarrass anyone — but it also won't impress anyone who's paying attention. Send your friends here for the crab and the clam chowder; tell them to stick to the lower half of the by-the-glass menu and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fiesta District / US-60 Corridor · Mesa · Seafood
Red Lobster's wine list is a corporate afterthought dressed up in a laminated menu — fair prices on mediocre juice don't make it worth seeking out. Order the Riesling, enjoy the biscuits, and don't overthink it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Superstition Springs Trade Area · Mesa · American / French-Inspired
Mimi's Mesa is a Reliable — it won't embarrass you and it won't blow your mind. If you're here for the French Onion Soup and a glass of something inoffensive, you'll leave happy; if you're hoping the wine list matches the French bistro signage, keep looking.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Baltimore · American
Give the international and local sections a look before defaulting to Burgundy. Sula at $70 and Old Westminster at $90 offer different budget options. These are posted bottle prices, not guaranteed stock; confirm availability. This menu guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
· Key West · American
Caroline's Café is not a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — the identical pricing across all five house labels makes that abundantly clear. If you're in Key West looking for something interesting in your glass, keep walking; if you just need a cold pour of Chardonnay with your lunch and aren't asking questions, $8 gets you there without drama.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kerns · Portland · American
Noble Rot is the rare restaurant wine program that would hold up as a standalone wine bar — deep list, sharp staff, fair prices, and a view that makes the whole experience feel earned. Send your friends here. Send yourself here.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
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
