Texas Wine Country's Most Serious Wine List
South Highway 16 · Fredericksburg · New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You walk into an ivy-covered Cotton Gin Village with koi ponds and waterfalls, and then someone hands you a wine list with over 115 Texas labels. It stops you cold — in the best way. This isn't a restaurant that happens to serve wine; it's a wine destination that also happens to cook really well.
The list is built almost entirely around Texas producers, and it goes deep in ways that will surprise even people who follow the state's wine scene closely. You'll find heavy hitters like Becker Vineyards and Pedernales Cellars sitting alongside more adventurous pours like Lewis Wines Graciano — a variety most Texas restaurants wouldn't even attempt to stock. William Chris Vineyards' Enchante shows up too, which tells you someone is paying attention to what's actually interesting in the Hill Country right now. There are gaps in old-world coverage, but that's the point — this list has a thesis, and it commits.
With roughly 20 to 30 options by the glass, you can do serious damage without committing to a bottle — a rarity for a list this focused on a single region. The rotation leans into Texas varieties and blends, so you're not just getting a generic Cab and Chardonnay safety net. It's one of the better by-the-glass programs we've seen at a Texas wine country restaurant.
Pedernales Cellars Texas Tempranillo — $N/A
Pedernales has been one of the most consistent producers in Texas for years, and their Tempranillo consistently punches above its price point. On a list this deep, it's an easy win for anyone who wants to drink well without sweating the bill.
Lewis Wines Graciano
Graciano is a grape most diners have never heard of, and most restaurants wouldn't take a chance on it. Lewis Wines makes a compelling case for it in Texas, and the fact that Cabernet Grill stocks it at all says something about how seriously they take the list. Order it before you order anything else.
Becker Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Becker makes a solid wine and it's well-known for good reason, but it's also the most predictable pour on a list full of more interesting choices. In a room full of Graciano and Enchante, ordering the Becker Reserve Cab is like going to a great taco spot and ordering the quesadilla.
William Chris Vineyards Enchante + Pecan-Crusted Quail
Enchante is a Mourvèdre-based blend with enough earthiness and dark fruit to stand up to game without overwhelming something as delicate as quail. The pecan crust brings a nutty richness that plays well against the wine's structure. It's the kind of pairing that makes the whole table stop talking.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Cabernet Grill is the best argument Texas wine has going for itself right now — a focused, thoughtful, deeply stocked list served in a setting that makes you want to linger over another pour. If you're within driving distance of Fredericksburg, this is the reason to make the trip.
Downtown / Sophia Street Riverfront · Fredericksburg · Spanish and Latin-inspired tapas
Tapa Rio isn't a destination wine list, but it's a well-matched one — thoughtfully Iberian, reasonably priced, and honest about what it is. If you're eating on that patio with a glass of Albariño and a plate of tapas in front of you, you're going to be just fine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Central Park · Fredericksburg · American steakhouse and wood-fired grill
Firebirds is a dependable wine stop for a steakhouse night out — nothing on the list will make you lean across the table with excitement, but nothing will disappoint either. Send a friend here if they want a reliable glass of California Cab with their ribeye and zero homework required.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Fredericksburg · Fredericksburg · Traditional Italian
Ristorante Renato is a genuinely lovely dinner out in Fredericksburg, and the wine won't ruin your night — but it won't be the reason you came back either. The California-only lens feels like a mismatch for a kitchen this committed to Italian tradition; one pass through the list with an eye toward the Old World would change the whole experience.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Central Park · Fredericksburg · Caribbean
You're not coming to Bahama Breeze for the wine list, and honestly, that's fine — order a rum cocktail and call it a day. But if someone at the table insists on wine, point them toward the Riesling and keep your expectations firmly at sea level.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Central Park · Fredericksburg · Fondue
The Melting Pot Fredericksburg is a perfectly fine place to drink wine — as long as you're not coming for the wine. The list keeps up with the experience without elevating it, and you'll leave full and content, which is honestly what most people at this table are here for.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Central Park · Fredericksburg · American
BJ's Fredericksburg is a beer hall that happens to stock wine — and the wine list knows it. The Tuesday discount promo is the only real reason to order a bottle here; otherwise, trust the taps and save your wine budget for somewhere that earned it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown / Creekside · New Braunfels · New American
Cody's is exactly what New Braunfels needs in a downtown wine list — honest, approachable, and priced without attitude. Don't come here chasing discovery, but absolutely come here for a cold rosé and a good time on the patio.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South End / The Breakers · West Palm Beach · New American
HMF is the rare hotel bar that could embarrass a dedicated wine bar on both depth and pricing — the by-the-glass program alone is worth the trip. If you're in Palm Beach and you care about what's in your glass, this is the most obvious call on the island.
Deep & Eclectic
Steal
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Columbia · Columbia · New American
Sycamore is doing something genuinely unusual in Columbia: running a tight, thoughtful wine list with real producers and fair prices, backed by someone on staff who knows what they're talking about. Come on a Wednesday and it's a no-brainer.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.