Beach Town Steakhouse That Actually Tries
· Hilton Head Island · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed September 16, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Crane's Tavern & Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Thirty-one labels and every single one poured by the glass — that's either a bold move or a logistical nightmare, and honestly, at a beach-adjacent steakhouse on Hilton Head, we'll take it. The list skews heavily American with a few smart European ringers tucked in, and the pricing stays remarkably civilized for a tourist-market restaurant. This isn't a wine destination, but it's trying harder than most of its neighbors.
The white wine section punches above its weight: five Chardonnays ranging from the entry-level Matchbook at $8.50 to the Brocard Kimmeridgien Bourgogne Blanc at $15, which is a genuine French Burgundy with a story to tell. The Reverdy Sancerre at $19 a glass is the top of the list and a legitimately credible pour. On the red side, the Pinot Noir lineup deserves credit — Elk Cove, Planet Oregon, and Brandborg all represent the Willamette Valley honestly, covering different price points without padding the lineup with mediocre filler. The Merlot duo and a Sancerre in a steakhouse is a combination we didn't expect to appreciate, and yet here we are.
The by-the-glass program is the entire list, which is unusual and genuinely guest-friendly — nobody gets stuck with a closed bottle they didn't want. Prices run from $6 (yes, there's a White Zinfandel, we see it) to $19 for the Sancerre, with most drinkable options landing in the $9–$16 range. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority, but the core selection holds up.
Brocard Kimmeridgien Bourgogne Blanc — $15/glass
A Burgundy with actual terroir credentials — kimmeridgian limestone, the same soil story as Chablis — for $15 a glass at a South Carolina steakhouse is a genuine find. Elsewhere on this island, that money buys you something forgettable.
Reverdy Sancerre Loire
Most people ordering at a steakhouse aren't thinking Sancerre, but at $19 a glass it's a sharp, mineral Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through a rich meal far better than another Chardonnay would. It's the most interesting wine on the list and the one most likely to get overlooked.
Beringer White Zinfandel California
It's $6, it exists, and it will remain our only acknowledgment that it's on this list. Order literally anything else.
Elk Cove Willamette Valley Pinot Noir + a center-cut filet
Elk Cove's Pinot Noir is lighter-bodied with enough red fruit and earth to complement rather than compete with a leaner cut of beef. It's the counterintuitive move at a steakhouse that actually works.
The Bottom Line
Crane's Tavern won't make any top wine lists, but for Hilton Head, the by-the-glass program is unusually honest and the pricing doesn't insult you. If you're eating steak here, you have solid options — and that Brocard Bourgogne Blanc is a legitimate surprise.
· Hilton Head Island · Modern American steak & seafood
WiseGuys isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the list is thoughtful enough that you won't feel abandoned. The port selection alone is worth a nod, and the California reds give steak fans real choices rather than the usual filler. Just know that four glass pours means you're probably going bottles — budget accordingly, because markups appear to lean toward the steep side.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Hilton Head Island · Wine bar & retail
Corks Wine Co. appears to be more of a winemaking kit retailer than a wine bar in the traditional sense, and the list reflects that. If you're on Hilton Head and need an actual glass of wine, keep driving.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Shelter Cove · Hilton Head Island · Seafood / New American
Sea Salt isn't trying to win a wine list award and it shows, but it's not trying to rip you off on selection either — just on price. If you're already there for the scallops and the view, the wine list will serve you fine; just set your expectations to vacation mode and not discovery mode.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Harbour Town / Sea Pines · Hilton Head Island · Resort / American
The Harbour Town Clubhouse wine list is exactly what it needs to be for its audience — familiar, functional, and unlikely to offend anyone in a golf shirt. Just know going in that you're paying resort prices for resort selections, and calibrate your expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South End / Forest Beach · Hilton Head Island · American pub and grill
Reilley's is a reliable beach-town bar that happens to have wine — not a wine destination that happens to serve food. Hit it during happy hour for half-off house pours, order the Rosé with your crab cakes, and keep your expectations calibrated to the vibe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Mid-island · Hilton Head Island · Seafood / Retail-to-Table
Redfish is the kind of wine list that works better than it should for a coastal tourist spot — 400 bottles is nothing to dismiss, even if the selection leans on crowd-pleasing California names and the pricing reflects the zip code. Go in knowing what you want, order the Riesling by the glass, and you'll have a fine night.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Cumming, GA · Steakhouse
Avi's wine list is exactly what a neighborhood steakhouse should have — fair prices, enough variety to keep a table of six happy, and a few quiet overachievers hiding in plain sight. It won't excite a serious wine nerd, but it won't insult them either. If you're in Cumming and need a solid bottle with your steak, you can do this without regret.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Buford · Steakhouse
Bare Bones Steakhouse has a wine list that feels like an afterthought — five crowd-pleasing reds, no whites, no by-the-glass transparency, and no sign that anyone is paying close attention to what's in the cellar or how it's priced. If you're here for the steak, you'll get through dinner just fine with a Cab from this list. But if wine is part of why you're going out, there are better places to spend that money in the greater Buford area.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Cumming, GA · Steakhouse
The Ridge is a solid night out if you're in Forsyth County and want a steak with a side of live music and forest air — the wine program just isn't the reason to come. Until the list is published and verifiable, order something bold and red, enjoy your filet, and let the scenery do the heavy lifting.
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.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
