Minneapolis goes full Greek island, wine included
Whittier · Minneapolis · Greek · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed March 29, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The list opens with Greek wines front and center — Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Liatiko — and that alone tells you someone here is paying attention. It's not a massive list, but it has a point of view, which is rarer than it should be in a mid-range restaurant. The island taverna setting makes the whole thing feel intentional rather than accidental.
Greece is the obvious anchor, covering Drama in the north with Ploes, Naoussa with Xinomavro, Crete with Liatiko, and even Cyprus via Xynisteri — a grape you'd struggle to find on most lists in this city. Portugal gets real representation too, with a Q.S.S. rare from Lisboa and a red blend from Tejo that add genuine Old World intrigue. Spain chips in a spicy Garnacha, and the New World isn't forgotten with Torrontes from Argentina and Carmenere from Chile rounding out the South American wing. The Nemea section anchors the Greek reds, giving you a reliable local hero alongside the more adventurous picks.
With 10-16 options by the glass, there's enough to actually explore rather than default to whatever Chardonnay is closest to the bar. We'd be surprised if the Assyrtiko and the Xinomavro weren't both available by the glass — they're exactly the kind of wines a place like this should be pouring. Rotation isn't confirmed, but the list breadth suggests you won't be stuck drinking Pinot Grigio all night.
Ploes Assyrtiko, Drama, Greece — $12
Drama Assyrtiko doesn't get the hype of Santorini, but it's the same grape with more fruit and less volcanic attitude — and it almost certainly costs less on the list. Order it with calamari and don't look back.
Xynisteri, Cyprus
You could drink here every week for a year and never try Xynisteri anywhere else in Minneapolis. It's a crisp, low-alcohol white from Cyprus that most people skip because they've never heard of it. That's your advantage.
Torrontes, Argentina
Torrontes is the kind of wine that sounds exotic but often drinks like a floral headache. With this many Greek and Portuguese whites available, there's no reason to wander south to Argentina on this particular list.
Xinomavro, Naoussa, Greece + Mousaka
Xinomavro is basically Greece's answer to Nebbiolo — high acid, firm tannins, tomato and dried cherry notes. Mousaka's rich béchamel and spiced lamb need exactly that kind of structural pushback. It's not a subtle combination, it's just correct.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Christos is doing something genuinely rare in Minneapolis: building a wine list that matches the food's geography and actually teaches you something. If you've never explored Greek wine, this is the most approachable on-ramp in the city.
North Loop / Warehouse District · Minneapolis · Modern Argentinian Steakhouse
Porzana punches above its class for a Minneapolis steakhouse — the Italian and Argentine selections show genuine curation, and the Fenocchio Barolo alone justifies a serious wine order. Just go in with eyes open on markups and skip the entry-level bottles unless you're pouring by the glass.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lowry Hill · Minneapolis · Steakhouse and Wood-Fired Pizza
Burch has the bones of a genuinely great wine program — knowledgeable staff, proper storage, and a list that respects the classics — but the pricing strategy on the mid-tier and entry-level bottles will test your patience. Go big or go home: the value-to-quality ratio only really clicks once you're spending $200+.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / North Loop · Minneapolis · New American / Contemporary American
112 Eatery's wine list is punching well above its weight for a Minneapolis neighborhood bistro, with a genuinely distinctive Old World focus and producers that belong on serious lists anywhere in the country. The markups sting on a few bottles, but the curation earns enough goodwill to keep us coming back.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Uptown · Minneapolis · French Bistro
Barbette is a wine list built by someone who actually drinks wine and wants you to as well — it's small, French, and surprisingly legit for a neighborhood bistro in Uptown. If you're a natural wine fan or just someone who wants good Beaujolais with steak frites, send your friends here.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Loring Park · Minneapolis · New American
Cafe Lurcat is a reliable, well-staffed wine program in one of Minneapolis's prettiest dining rooms — just know you're paying a premium for the address and the ambiance. Ask the sommelier for help navigating the list and you'll drink well; go on autopilot and order the obvious Napa Cab and you'll leave having spent more than you should have.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Southwest Minneapolis (Fulton) · Minneapolis · Italian, fresh housemade pasta
Broders' Pasta Bar isn't a wine destination, but it's exactly the kind of neighborhood spot that gets the wine list right by staying in its lane. Fair prices, Italian focus, solid glass pours — bring a friend who orders by the bottle and you're in good shape.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Stamford · Greek
Kouzina is doing the right things with Greek wine in a city that doesn't ask for it, and that's worth something. Pricing runs a little hot, but if you stick to the Greek producers and let the Assyrtiko do its thing, you'll eat and drink well.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Central City · Salt Lake City · Greek
Manoli's wine list is doing something most restaurants in Salt Lake City won't bother trying — it's actually teaching you something about Greek wine without making you feel like you're in a classroom. If you're even mildly curious about Old World grapes beyond the usual suspects, this is worth your time.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Greenpoint · Brooklyn · Greek
Nerina is doing something genuinely rare in New York: building a focused, serious Greek wine program in a neighborhood that could coast on vibes alone. If you've ever wanted a guided tour of Greek wine without booking a flight to Athens, this is your table.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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