Where the Music's Live and the Wine's on Tap
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · Mediterranean-inspired American · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed March 2, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The moment you walk into City Winery, you realize this isn't your typical Nashville honky-tonk wine experience. The list spans California to Burgundy with serious depth, and there's a sommelier on staff who actually knows the difference between Willamette and Walla Walla. Plus, they're pouring wine from taps during happy hour—a bold move that either means fresh, well-maintained kegs or a gimmick gone wrong.
The list leans California-heavy with smart picks like Trefethen Chardonnay and Alder Springs Vineyard Cabernet Franc, but they're not afraid to pull from Oregon's Elk Cove for an unexpected Assyrtiko or dive into Poseidon Vineyard for old-vine Pinot Noir. We're seeing single-vineyard designates and small producers, not just grocery store labels slapped on at restaurant markup. The French and Italian selections round things out without dominating, and there's enough range here to handle everything from their truffle burger to whatever Mediterranean-inspired plate they're running. The vintage spread (2010-2016 on what we saw) suggests active buying, not dusty back stock.
Glass pours run $12-$42, which is a wide spread that tells us they're serious about offering both entry points and splurge options. The tap wine program during happy hour (Monday-Friday, 4-6pm at half price) is the real hook—fresh pours, consistent quality, and you're not gambling on oxidized leftovers from last week's bottle. Tangent Albariño and Thompson Vineyard Grenache show up as thoughtful, not obvious, by-the-glass picks.
Elk Cove Assyrtiko 2011 — $16
Oregon Assyrtiko is rare enough to be interesting, and Elk Cove knows what they're doing in Willamette—this is textbook value for a wine most people will walk past
Thompson Vineyard Grenache 2011
Most Nashville diners are hunting Cab—meanwhile, this Santa Barbara Grenache is sitting there with juicy red fruit and spice, perfect for anything off the grill and nobody's ordering it
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs NV
At what's likely a $35+ glass pour in this market, you're paying venue markup on bubbles that won't improve your night more than the tap program will
Poseidon Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011 + Truffle Burger
Old-vine Pinot from a legendary Santa Rita Hills site has the earthy funk and silky texture to match truffle butter and beef without getting steamrolled—this is why Pinot exists
Monday-Friday — Half-priced tap wine Monday through Friday, 4pm-6pm happy hour
🎲 The Bottom Line
City Winery is doing something different in Nashville—an actual wine program in a live music venue that doesn't phone it in. The happy hour tap program and thoughtful selection make this a go-to for anyone tired of the same Broadway bar markup game.
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · American, French
Gannons is a reliable, well-curated wine destination dressed in hotel restaurant clothing — the sommelier team knows the list, the glass pour selection is strong, and the Italian and French highlights give it more personality than the Napa-heavy surface suggests. The markups lean steep, but the execution earns its Wine Spectator badge. We'd send a friend here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Southern American, Steakhouse
Deacon's won't expand your wine horizons, but if California Cabernet with your steak is the plan — and in Nashville, it often is — Andrew Lizardo's program delivers with confidence. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is earned, even if the list plays it safe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West End · Nashville · Seafood
Halls Catch is the right call for a Nashville seafood dinner when you want a wine list that won't embarrass you — just don't come looking for adventure outside the California zip codes. Send a friend here if they love Napa and know what they're ordering; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Green Hills · Nashville · Seafood, Steakhouse
Char is a dependable, well-executed steakhouse wine list that's built for crowd-pleasing, not adventuring — if California Cabernet is your comfort zone, you'll be happy here. Send a friend who wants a reliable pour with a prime cut; don't send the friend who just got back from a natural wine bar in Copenhagen.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Italian
Yolan is the best wine program in Nashville and it's not particularly close — the depth, the producers, the staff, and the setting all show up at the same time. Yes, the markups sting, but you're not here to find a bargain; you're here to drink Barolo properly.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
The Gulch · Nashville · American Seafood
Marsh House is carrying one of the most serious French-focused wine programs in Nashville, full stop — and the seafood menu is built like it was designed around the list. The markups sting and the staff isn't yet at the level of the cellar, but the bones here are exceptional enough to send anyone who cares about wine.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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