Beer bar with a wine list that holds its own
Hilldale · Madison · Belgian-Inspired Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed March 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You're here for the moules frites and a Belgian tripel, and that's completely fine — but the wine list doesn't embarrass itself either. At 15 bottles topping out at $48, this is a list priced for real people, not expense accounts. It's short, approachable, and makes no apologies for what it is.
The list covers the greatest hits of the crowd-pleaser playbook: Whitehaven Sauv Blanc from New Zealand, Altos Malbec from Mendoza, Muriel Reserva from Rioja, Cline Cab from California. Nothing here is going to make a wine nerd's heart race, but nothing is an outright embarrassment either. Spain and Italy get token representation, France shows up in the bubbles department with Gratien & Meyer Crémant, and Luxembourg sneaks in via Domaine Vinsmoselle Rosé — which is either the most random or most Belgian-appropriate call on the whole list. There are real gaps: no Pinot Noir of consequence, no Rhône, no serious Italian reds — but for a gastropub where beer is the main event, this does its job.
All 15 bottles are available by the glass, ranging from $9 to $12 — which is genuinely reasonable for Madison in 2024. The glass program is the whole program; there's no reserve list lurking behind the scenes. Rotation appears nonexistent, but at these prices, you're not paying to be surprised.
Muriel Reserva Rioja — $12/glass, ~$44/bottle
Rioja Reserva at this price point is hard to beat anywhere. Tempranillo with actual oak aging for under $45 a bottle is the move, especially next to a charcuterie board.
Domaine Vinsmoselle Rosé
Luxembourg rosé on a Wisconsin gastropub list is genuinely bizarre — and that's exactly why you should order it. Most people will reach for the Whitehaven without a second thought; this is the more interesting pour and fits the Belgian-inspired spirit of the place.
JP Chenet Brut
JP Chenet is the house party sparkling wine of France — widely available, mass-produced, and not something you'd brag about. With Gratien & Meyer Crémant on the same list, there's a better bubble within arm's reach.
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier + Moules Frites
The bright acidity and slight floral lift of the Chenin-Viognier blend cuts right through a bowl of steamed mussels. It's the closest thing on this list to a classic Belgian table white, and it works.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Café Hollander Madison is a beer destination that happens to have a wine list — and that list is fair, affordable, and more than good enough for a casual night out. Don't come here to geek out on wine; do come here knowing you won't be stuck drinking something you'll regret.
South West Side / Arbor Gate · Madison · Contemporary American
Bonfyre is a reliable neighborhood grill that happens to have Wine Down Wednesday, and that promotion does more for this wine program than anything on the list itself. Come on a Wednesday, order the Riesling or the Malbec with your steak, and you'll leave happy — just don't expect the list to dazzle you on a Tuesday.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown / Capitol Square · Madison · Sushi / Japanese
Red Sushi isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — but the fortified and dessert options give it more credibility than most comparable spots downtown. Come for the sushi, stay for the Madeira.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Far West Side / Greenway Station · Madison · Casual Italian
Biaggi's is a chain, the markups are steep, and nobody on staff is going to geek out over Nebbiolo with you — but the Wine Wednesday promotion (50% off bottles $75 and under) genuinely changes the math. Come on a Wednesday, order a bottle of Santa Margherita or a Chianti Classico at half price, and you'll have a perfectly solid dinner without any regrets.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown · Madison · Seafood and Steak
Tempest is a reliable downtown option for wine with your oysters — the list has genuine highlights and the glass count is respectable, but the markups are steep and the program isn't pushing itself. Go for the Sancerre, go for the Riesling, and don't overthink it.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Side / Junction Road · Madison · Wine Bar & Bistro
Eno Vino West is the dependable neighborhood wine bar Madison's west side needs — not flashy, not adventurous, but genuinely well-stocked and fairly priced. Show up on a Monday or Tuesday, grab a half-price bottle, and stop overthinking it.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Near West Side / Monroe Street · Madison · Californian-style, veggie-forward American
Everly's list is more thoughtful than most neighborhood spots its size, with a few genuinely exciting bottles mixed in with the safe pours. We'd send a friend here for wine, but we'd tell them to go in with eyes open on the markup — you're paying a premium for the atmosphere as much as what's in the glass.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.