Cold beer beats the wine list here
Riverview · Harrisburg · American bar & grill / gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 19, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Duke's Riverside Bar & Grille’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Seven wines. All seven available by the glass. That's not a wine list — that's a wine paragraph. To be fair, the riverside deck and cold-beer energy make it clear that wine is not the point here, and that's fine, but it does mean we're grading on a steep curve.
The list reads like someone checked a distributor's budget sheet and said 'one of each, please.' You've got a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (Mount Riley), a California Chardonnay (M. Dean), an Italian Pinot Grigio (Vigneti Del Sole), a Portuguese rosé (Escuda Real), two Languedoc bottles from Comtesse Marion, and a Cava from Catalunya. Credit where it's due — there's international variety here, and Languedoc Cab Sauv and Pinot Noir from Comtesse Marion is a slightly more interesting call than, say, a California Cab from a yellow-label brand. But seven total labels with zero bottle-only options and no cellar depth to speak of means this is wine as afterthought.
Everything on the list is by the glass, priced between $8 and $9 — which is about as low as you'll find in any sit-down restaurant in 2024. The Conquilla Cava checks in at $8, making it the only sparkling option and the easiest impulse order on a warm evening on the deck. Rotation is nonexistent; what you see is what you get, probably for the next several seasons.
Conquilla Cava, Catalunya — $8
Eight dollars for sparkling wine at a riverfront bar is practically giving it away. Cava is chronically underrated and this is the kind of casual, food-friendly pour that outperforms its price tag on a hot afternoon by the water.
Escuda Real Rosé, Vinho Verde
Most people skimming this list will reach for the Pinot Grigio out of habit. Don't. A Vinho Verde rosé brings bright acidity and a slight spritz that the Pinot Grigio simply can't match — and it's built for exactly the kind of wings-and-sunshine situation Duke's specializes in.
M. Dean Chardonnay, California
Generic California Chardonnay at a bar-and-grill is where wine goes to be forgotten. Nothing against M. Dean specifically, but this is the path of least resistance on a list that's already not trying very hard. The Cava or the rosé will serve you better every time.
Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough + Wings
Marlborough Sauv Blanc is loud, citrusy, and high-acid — which cuts right through the fat and heat of a plate of wings in a way that lager or a flabby Chardonnay simply won't. It's the most food-functional bottle on this list by a wide margin.
The Bottom Line
Duke's is a great spot to grab a cold drink and watch the river go by — just don't come here for the wine. Order the Cava or the Vinho Verde rosé, enjoy the deck, and save your serious wine curiosity for another night.
· Harrisburg · Italian
Mangia Qui is a genuinely appealing spot — the food, the room, and the service cadence all point toward a place that takes the dining experience seriously. The Italian wine focus is the right instinct for this kitchen, and duck confit with a solid Tuscan red is exactly what this kind of room should be delivering. We just don't have enough confirmed wine list detail yet to tell you whether to come for the bottle or stick to the food. Worth a visit — ask your server what's good on the wine list and see what happens.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Harrisburg · Italian
Zia's isn't a wine destination, but it's a reliable, fairly priced list that respects the room it's in and won't leave you feeling ripped off. If you're here for a nice Italian dinner and a couple of honest glasses of wine, it delivers.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Harrisburg · American/Gastropub
Federal Taphouse is a beer bar that happens to serve wine, and the list reflects exactly that priority order. If you're with a group split between pint-drinkers and wine-drinkers, it works — just don't expect anyone to geek out over the bottle selection with you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Harrisburg · New American
Home 231 is a solid neighborhood dinner spot where the wine list does its job without any drama — which is fine, as long as you're not expecting it to be the reason you showed up. Come for the food, order something simple off the list, and enjoy the room.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hershey · Harrisburg · Seafood/Steakhouse
Devon isn't breaking new ground, but for a chain steakhouse in Hershey, this wine list punches above its weight — especially if you gravitate toward Rieslings or Pinot Noir. We'd send a friend here knowing they won't get gouged and won't have to settle.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Harrisburg · New American/Steak
Black 'n Bleu is a perfectly fine place to eat a steak — the wine list, however, is an afterthought dressed up as a program. Skip the Woodbridge, grab the Argyle, and spend your energy on the food.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
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.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
