Neighborhood Fine Dining That Knows Its Wine
Historic Hilton Village · Newport News · New American / Fine Dining · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 30, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Circa 1918, the wine list feels like it was curated by someone who actually drinks wine rather than someone who just needed a list. It's not massive, but there's clear intention here — a few European bottles that don't show up on every restaurant list in the 757. The $6–$7 glass pours are practically a rounding error in today's market, which earns immediate goodwill.
The list leans Old World with a quiet confidence — Loire and Languedoc on the French side, a Spanish sparkling from Penedès tucking in alongside. The Simonet Brut Blanc from Loire is the kind of bottle that signals someone upstream made a thoughtful call; that's not a default Champagne-substitute pick, that's a deliberate choice. The Prochaine Chardonnay from Languedoc is similarly under-the-radar, steering clear of the tired California Chard reflex. Gaps exist — the list is lean enough that variety-seekers may feel constrained — but what's here is chosen, not just populated.
Glass pour pricing at $6–$7 is genuinely rare for a fine dining room in 2024, and if that reflects the full BTG program, it's one of the stronger value propositions in Newport News. We don't have a full by-the-glass count, but the sparkling presence of the Castillo Perelada Brut Cave as a pourable option suggests the program extends beyond token reds and whites. Rotation data is thin, so don't count on much seasonal movement.
Pedroncelli 'Four Grapes' Port NV — $11
Retails around $17, so the markup is modest — a rare thing for a dessert pour. It's an honest, food-friendly fortified wine at a price that makes saying yes easy.
Simonet Brut Blanc
A Loire sparkling that most diners will walk right past in favor of something they recognize. Don't. This is the kind of bottle that makes you feel like you found something, because you did.
Justin 'Obtuse' Cabernet Sauvignon Dessert Wine NV
Retails around $25 and pours for $10 — that's a 150% markup on a dessert wine that isn't even particularly hard to find. The Pedroncelli or the Standing Stone are better plays for your after-dinner dollar.
Prochaine Chardonnay + Chef's featured fish or seafood entrée
A Languedoc Chardonnay brings enough structure and restraint to lift a white fish or shellfish dish without steamrolling it — and at this price point, you're not overthinking the order.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Circa 1918 isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's doing more than most neighborhood fine-dining spots bother to do. Fair prices, a few genuinely interesting European picks, and a room that takes hospitality seriously — send a friend here without hesitation.
Oyster Point / Jefferson Avenue · Newport News · Barbecue, American
Smoke BBQ is here for the brisket and the beer, and you should be too. The wine list is an afterthought dressed up in a single brand — come back on a Wednesday if you want cheap bottles to share, otherwise skip it entirely.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Oyster Point / Jefferson Avenue · Newport News · Seafood, Oyster Bar, American
Harpoon Larry's isn't a wine destination, but it doesn't need to be — the list is priced fairly, the glass count is generous, and Half Off Wine Wednesday is legitimately one of the better deals in Newport News. Send a friend here for oysters and a cold Riesling without hesitation.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
City Center at Oyster Point · Newport News · American tavern, bar & grill
Cove Tavern isn't a wine destination, but it's a reliable neighborhood pour with enough recognizable labels and a strong by-the-glass program to keep wine drinkers happy between bites of a fish taco. Skip the Silver Oak, grab the Norton, and call it a win.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Oyster Point / Jefferson Avenue corridor · Newport News · Fondue, Upscale Casual American
The Melting Pot Peninsula isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — it's a date-night machine with a list built to move bottles of Meiomi and La Marca without friction. Order smart, keep your expectations calibrated, and let the chocolate fondue close the deal.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
City Center / Oyster Point · Newport News · Traditional Italian
Al Fresco is a solid neighborhood Italian with a wine list that's bigger and more thoughtful than it needs to be — the Italian selections justify the visit, even if the markups on the California heavy-hitters sting a little. Send your friends here, but steer them toward Tuscany and away from the Napa trophy shelf.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Port Warwick · Newport News · Upscale Seafood and Contemporary American
Fin is a comfortable, well-run seafood restaurant with a wine list that does its job without ever exciting you. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink well enough — just tell them to skip the Rombauer and ask about the Sauvignon Blancs.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Amarillo · New American / Fine Dining
OHMS is doing real cooking, and the wine list hasn't kept up — steep markups on grocery-store names don't match the ambition on the plate. Go for the duck confit, order a cocktail, and save the wine night for somewhere that's actually trying.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · Reno · New American / Fine Dining
LuLou's wine list won't win any awards, but it won't ruin your dinner either — and in a city where restaurant wine programs often feel like an afterthought, that counts for something. Send a friend here for a solid meal with a bottle of Jordan; just don't expect to discover anything new.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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.