Cozy game-country dining with dependable pours
Downtown Jackson · Jackson Hole · Upscale American with wild game and regional specialties · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed May 20, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Blue Lion fits the room — warm, unpretentious, and reliably comfortable in a converted historic house where the elk tenderloin gets most of the attention. It's not a destination for wine nerds, but it's not trying to be. What you get is a curated-enough selection that won't embarrass you in front of a date or a client.
The roughly 100–150 label list leans hard into American classics — Napa Cabs, California Chardonnay, and Pacific Northwest Pinot Noir doing most of the heavy lifting. Producers like Caymus, Rombauer, and Silver Oak are the headliners here, which tells you something about who they're playing to: visitors with name recognition and expense accounts. There's an international presence somewhere on the list, but it reads more like a token gesture than a genuine commitment to Old World exploration. Gaps in Rhône, Southern Italian, and anything remotely adventurous are noticeable if you're looking for them.
Ten to sixteen by-the-glass options is a respectable count for a restaurant this size, and the $14–$22 price range is peak Jackson Hole — which is to say, you're paying mountain-town tax on every pour. The glass program mirrors the bottle list: familiar names, safe picks, nothing that's going to surprise you. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (A to Z) — $55
At the lower end of the bottle range, a solid Willamette Pinot is the smartest move on this list — it's food-friendly, honest, and doesn't ask you to pay a Napa premium for the privilege.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (A to Z)
Most tables here are reaching for the Caymus or Silver Oak, which means the Oregon Pinot sits quietly underordered. It's the most versatile wine on the list and holds its own against the elk and lamb better than any Napa Cab will.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is a fine wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up labels in American restaurants. You're paying heavily for the name recognition here — the value isn't there when you can do better on this same list for less money.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) + Rack of Lamb
Silver Oak's Alexander Valley expression is softer and more approachable than its Napa sibling, which makes it a genuine match for the lamb — enough structure to hold up to the richness, enough fruit to stay out of the way of whatever herb crust they're running.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Blue Lion is a reliable wine stop, not a remarkable one — the list does exactly what it needs to do for a cozy Jackson Hole dinner without taking any real swings. Come for the elk, order the Oregon Pinot, and enjoy the candlelight.
Jackson Town · Jackson Hole · Barbecue
Bubba's doesn't pretend to be a wine destination, and we respect the honesty — but the list is the definition of set-it-and-forget-it. Order a beer, enjoy the ribs, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that reciprocates.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Teton Village · Jackson Hole · Outdoor Bar
The Handle Bar is the kind of wine program that does exactly what it needs to do for its setting — no more, no less. You'll drink well here if you pick smart, but this isn't a destination for wine people so much as a very competent resort bar that happens to have Opus One on the list.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Jackson · Jackson Hole · Cafe / Bakery
Persephone isn't a wine destination, but it absolutely punches above its weight for what it is — a bakery-café with a genuinely thoughtful short list of natural pours at fair prices. If you're in Jackson and want a glass of something interesting without the steakhouse markup, this is your move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Town of Jackson · Jackson Hole · French-Inspired Bistro
The Bistro earns its stripes as a reliable wine destination in Jackson Hole — the sommelier influence is visible, the European focus is coherent, and the list has depth worth exploring. Just go in knowing the markups are hotel-resort territory, and steer toward the Old World bottles where the curation is strongest.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
East of Jackson · Jackson Hole · Steakhouse / Grill
The Grill at Spring Creek Ranch delivers a competent, crowd-pleasing wine list that matches the lodge aesthetic perfectly — reliable, a little expensive, and zero risk. If you're here for the views and the bison, you'll drink well enough; just don't come expecting the list to match the drama outside the window.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Town Square · Jackson Hole · Tapas / Wine Bar
Bin22 is the wine bar that has no business being this good in the middle of Wyoming ski country, and that's exactly why we're sending people here. If you're in Jackson Hole and you care about what's in your glass, this is the only address that matters.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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