Music City's Upscale Safe Bet for Wine
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed March 2, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Etch's wine list reads like a downtown Nashville upscale restaurant playing it safe — crowd-pleasing regions, recognizable producers, nothing that would scare off a convention crowd. The list does the job without taking risks, which tracks for a place that needs to appeal to tourists and locals alike. You won't find any surprises here, but you won't get burned either.
The selection leans heavily on California and French standards with predictable representation from Napa, Sonoma, and Bordeaux. There's a workable Burgundy section with mid-tier producers and enough Italian coverage to handle pasta pairings, though nothing ventures into natural wine territory or obscure appellations. The list feels like it was built five years ago and hasn't evolved much since — functional but dated. Oregon Pinot Noir gets some shelf space, and there's a token nod to Spanish Tempranillo, but the overall vibe is "what corporate wine buyers think fine dining should look like."
By-the-glass options likely run around 8-12 pours, hitting the usual suspects — a Sancerre, a Napa Cab, maybe a Malbec for the steak crowd. The pours rotate seasonally at best, and staff knowledge varies wildly depending on who's working that night. Expect standard 6-ounce pours at downtown Nashville pricing, which means you're paying $14-18 for wines that retail around $20-25.
Domaine de la Chanteleuserie Bourgueil — $52
Loire Cabernet Franc that drinks above its price point with enough structure for red meat but won't drain your wallet like the Napa section
Pico Cuadro Mencía
If they've got Spanish reds beyond Rioja, this Bierzo producer offers savory complexity that most people overlook in favor of Tempranillo
Rombauer Chardonnay
Probably marked up to $80+ for a wine that's $35 retail and tastes like butter and oak had a baby in a vanilla factory
J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-Aged Ribeye
Paso Robles Cab with enough tannic grip to stand up to char and fat without the Napa price tag — straightforward pairing that works
✔️ The Bottom Line
Etch delivers a competent wine program that won't wow you but won't disappoint your out-of-town client either. It's the reliable choice when you need wine to be present but not the star of the show — just expect to pay downtown Nashville premiums for the privilege.
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
· Atlanta · Contemporary American
By George is a fine place to drink wine if you know what you're walking into — a curated-but-safe list built for a stylish crowd that wants rosé and bubbles without friction. Come for the Crémant and the Tavel; don't expect to find anything that'll make you rethink your relationship with wine.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Jolla · Chula Vista · Contemporary American
Nine-Ten is a genuinely good restaurant with a competent wine program — the sommelier is present, the list is legitimate, and the setting earns the price of admission. But the markups are aggressive enough that you'll want to be selective, because this list can eat your wallet if you reach for the obvious names.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Winston Salem · Contemporary American
Sir Winston is the rare hotel restaurant that makes a real effort on wine, and for Winston-Salem, that counts for a lot. Pricing runs steep enough that you'll feel it by the second bottle, but the selection earns at least one visit from anyone who takes wine seriously.
Solid Range
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.