Suburban gastropub that actually tried
· Johns Creek · New American / Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed September 22, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Citizen Soul’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Nineteen wines, all available by the glass — that's either a very thoughtful program or a very cautious one. At Citizen Soul, it's a bit of both: the list is tight, well-branded, and skews toward crowd-pleasing names that Johns Creek regulars will recognize without squinting at the menu.
The whites show the most personality — Burgans Albariño, Dry Creek Chenin Blanc, and the Mason Alain de la Treille Sauvignon Blanc give the list some actual range beyond the usual California Chardonnay parade, though ZD and Singing Tree are there too if you need them. Reds are heavier on Napa and Napa-adjacent picks: DAOU Cab, Leviathan's Cab Blend, and Turley Juveniles Zinfandel anchor the right side of the list with familiar weight. The international detours — Muga Crianza, Ferrari-Carano Sangiovese, Piatelli Malbec — add welcome texture but feel more like menu decoration than a real commitment to Old World exploration. There are no half-bottles, no rare producers, and no deep cuts; this is a list built to sell, not to surprise.
Every single bottle on this list is available by the glass, which is genuinely useful for a gastropub crowd that wants flexibility without committing to a full bottle. Prices run $12–$20/glass with most clustering around $14–$16, which is reasonable for the market. Rotation appears fixed rather than seasonal, so don't expect the list to look different next month.
The Bottom Line
Citizen Soul's wine program is a solid suburban effort — it won't embarrass you on a date night, and the all-glass-pour format makes grazing through the list genuinely easy. The markups lean steep and the list plays it safe, but the Muga and Chenin Blanc alone prove someone put at least a little thought into this. If you're eating in Johns Creek and want a decent glass without a lecture, you could do a lot worse.
· Johns Creek · Mediterranean/Greek
Santorini Johns Creek isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its all-Greek list is focused enough to actually teach you something about the country's grapes — and at $45 across most of the board, you can experiment without stress. If you've never had Moscofilero or Agiorgitiko, this is a low-stakes place to start. Send a curious friend; skip it if they insist on Malbec.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Johns Creek · Asian
ARI is a genuinely fun wine wildcard — a Korean BBQ spot that takes its beverage program seriously enough to include both Twomey and Omija berry wine on the same list. The markups get steep in spots, but the by-the-glass selection is wide and the Korean wines are worth exploring. If you're going for the BBQ, start with the Bokbunja or grab a bottle of The Show Malbec and let the grill do the rest.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Johns Creek · Asian
Le Mekong clearly puts its energy into the kitchen, not the wine cellar — and that's probably the right call. If you're eating here, grab the Cono Sur Pinot Noir or the J Lohr Riesling and focus on the food. Don't come here for the wine list; come here despite it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Johns Creek · Mediterranean/Greek/Middle Eastern
Persian Basket has put together a wine list that respects both its guests and its cuisine — fair pricing, real producers, and a by-the-glass selection that gives you options beyond the obvious. It's not a destination wine list, but it's the kind of list that makes a neighborhood restaurant genuinely better. If you're heading there for food, the wine won't let you down.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Johns Creek · Mediterranean/Greek/Middle Eastern
Noosh Kitchen's wine list is competent, fairly priced, and built for the broadest possible audience — which means it won't thrill anyone looking for something interesting, but it won't embarrass you either. The markup is honest and the by-the-glass selection is generous. Go for the Chehalem Chardonnay or the Barone Fini, eat the food, and don't expect the list to do anything unexpected.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Avalon · Johns Creek · Wine Bar / New American
CRÚ is doing something right in the sparkling department — a Champagne and bubbly selection this broad is rare in Johns Creek, and it earns the place real credit. The markups run steep across the board and the still wine list plays it very safe, but if you're meeting friends for a bottle of bubbles before dinner, this is a legitimate destination. Go in with the sparkling list in mind and you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Livermore · New American / Gastropub
Rebel Kitchen's wine list doesn't rebel against anything — it's eleven safe bottles with steep markups in a region that's literally surrounded by wineries. Order a cocktail, which is clearly what they actually care about.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Abilene · New American / Gastropub
Cork & Pig Tavern is doing more with wine than Abilene probably demands, and we respect the effort — the by-the-glass program alone is worth the stop. If you're passing through West Texas and need a legit glass of something interesting, this is your place.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Irvine · New American / Gastropub
Bosscat is a solid spot for craft cocktails and a good time — the wine list just isn't the reason to come. If you're committed to wine, go Emmolo or Austin Hope and call it a night; everything else is paying a premium for the familiar.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
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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