Crowd-friendly pours at a gastropub that gets it
· Riverside · Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 2, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Brickwood’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Brickwood is short, unpretentious, and priced like someone actually wants you to order a bottle. At 21 labels and a bottle ceiling of $70, this is not a list trying to impress anyone — and that's mostly fine. It reads like a gastropub that knows its lane.
The list leans heavily on approachable, widely-recognized bottles — Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Matua Sauvignon Blanc, Educated Guess Cab — the kind of names that move fast because people recognize them. There's a token nod to Italy with the Monte Antico Toscana Rosso and to Argentina with the Saurus Malbec, but don't come here hunting for Rhône producers or anything remotely off the beaten path. Reds are mostly California-focused with a few imports sprinkled in, and whites skew toward safe crowd favorites. It's a list built for yes, not discovery.
Eighteen of the 21 bottles are available by the glass, which is nearly the whole list — and at $7–$11 a pour, the pricing is genuinely hard to argue with. That's a solid glass program for a gastropub, even if the picks themselves won't blow any minds. Rotation appears static, but the sheer accessibility of the by-the-glass program is the real win here.
Monte Antico Toscana Rosso — $36
A Sangiovese-driven Tuscan blend at $36 a bottle is the kind of find that makes a gastropub wine list worth paying attention to. Monte Antico consistently overdelivers for its price point, and at this markup it's practically a gift.
Kiona Vineyards Merlot
Kiona is a Washington State standout that most diners will walk right past in favor of a California Cab. Their Red Mountain Merlot has real structure and character — this is the bottle most people at Brickwood will overlook, which means more for those who don't.
Ayana Moscato (Beautiful Flowers)
At $30 a bottle, Moscato at a gastropub is a tough sell. It's fine for what it is, but there's no value story here and it's the kind of wine you can grab at any grocery store for a fraction of the price.
Kung Fu Girl Riesling + Gastropub burger
The off-dry Riesling's touch of residual sugar and bright acidity cuts through a rich, juicy burger better than most reds on this list. It's the move most people won't make, and it works every time.
The Bottom Line
Brickwood isn't a wine destination, but it's a genuinely fair deal — honest prices, lots of glass options, and a list that doesn't try to squeeze you. Send a friend here if they want a decent pour without overthinking it.
Downtown · Riverside · Hotel Bar & Casual Dining
The Placery is a wine list in the same way a hotel gym is a fitness center — technically true, but you're not here to get serious. Order a cocktail or grab the Ste. Michelle Cab if you need a bottle, and save your real wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Canyon Crest · Riverside · Winery Bistro
Canyon Crest Winery is a genuine local gem for Riverside residents who want to drink well without driving to Temecula. It's not a deep-list destination, but for a casual pour at fair prices in a relaxed setting, it earns its spot on the map.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Riverside · Riverside · Steakhouse / Buffet
Sizzler's wine program is a formality, not a feature. Come for the salad bar and the cheese toast, order a soda or a beer, and save your wine curiosity for literally anywhere else.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Sierra / Tyler Mall · Riverside · American / Sports Bar
Yard House is a beer destination that happens to pour wine, and the wine list knows its place. Unless you're genuinely stuck here and need something in a glass, skip the wine, order a craft draft, and let the beer list do what it was built to do.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverside · Riverside · Steakhouse
Cask 'n Cleaver isn't a destination for wine, but it's not embarrassing either — come for the prime rib, pick Jordan Cab, and call it a solid night. If you're serious about the bottle, check the markup before you commit.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverside · Riverside · Burgers
Islands Riverside is not a wine destination and makes no attempt to be one — the list is an afterthought bolted onto a beverage program built around beer and cocktails. Order a cold beer or a tropical cocktail, enjoy your burger, and save the wine for a different night.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Glendale · Gastropub
Bar Louie is a perfectly fine place to drink a beer or a cocktail, but the wine list is an afterthought dressed up in column formatting. If wine is why you're going out, go somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Wichita · Gastropub
Sheet's Creek is a reliable pour in a landlocked city — nothing here will surprise a seasoned wine drinker, but it won't embarrass you either. Send your friends if they like California reds and don't want to think too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Union Street · Traverse City · Gastropub
7 Monks is a beer bar first and a wine program somewhere around fourth, but the short list is priced fairly, includes a local Michigan pour worth ordering, and doesn't try to be something it's not. Send a wine-drinking friend here if they're cool with keeping it simple.
Crowd Pleasers
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.
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