Local food done right, wine list keeps pace
South Springfield · Springfield · Farm-to-table gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Farmers Gastropub isn't trying to impress you — and that's actually fine. It reads like a list curated by someone who knows their regulars: accessible, approachable, nothing that's going to make a wine nerd do backflips, but nothing embarrassing either. For a farm-to-table gastropub in Springfield, Missouri, it does the job.
We're looking at a modest 20-35 bottle list anchored in California and Spain with some international value picks filling out the gaps. The range skews toward familiar, easy-drinking territory — this is not the place to hunt for a grower Champagne or an obscure Jura oddity. The Bodegas Volver Tempranillo shows someone made at least one interesting call, pulling from La Mancha's single-vineyard scene rather than defaulting to a generic Rioja. Beyond that, the list leans heavily on crowd-friendly names that you'd recognize from a grocery store endcap.
Eight to fourteen options by the glass is a solid spread for a neighborhood gastropub, and the $9–$14 price range is genuinely reasonable for the market. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here — the by-the-glass program feels static rather than seasonal, which is a missed opportunity given the kitchen's farm-to-table ethos.
Bodegas Volver 'Volver' Single Vineyard Tempranillo — $14
Single-vineyard La Mancha Tempranillo at gastropub glass prices is a legitimate deal. This is a wine that punches well above its price point — concentrated, structured, and more interesting than anything else on this list.
Bodegas Volver 'Volver' Single Vineyard Tempranillo
Most people at a gastropub are going to grab the California Cab or whatever rosé is on the menu without a second thought. The Volver is the one bottle here with an actual story — single-vineyard fruit from La Mancha, a region that's been quietly overdelivering for years. It deserves more attention than it's likely getting.
Josh Cellars Seaswept Sauvignon Blanc–Pinot Grigio White Blend
Josh Cellars is a mass-market brand built on marketing, not terroir. A blended Sauvignon Blanc-Pinot Grigio from this label is the definition of playing it safe — inoffensive, forgettable, and not worth whatever they're charging when there are better white options available.
Bodegas Volver 'Volver' Single Vineyard Tempranillo + Elevated pub-style burger
Tempranillo's natural grip and earthy backbone cut right through a juicy, fatty burger without overwhelming it. The Volver's fruit concentration holds up to the beef while its structure keeps the whole thing from feeling heavy.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Farmers Gastropub is a reliable neighborhood stop where the food gets more attention than the wine list — and that's okay. Order the Tempranillo, enjoy the locally sourced kitchen, and don't come here expecting to geek out on wine.
Downtown · Springfield · Sports Bar & Grill
The Dugout is a perfectly fine sports bar where wings get eaten, games get watched, and wine gets ignored — and that's the right call. Come for the BBQ Bacon Burger, leave the wine glass at home.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Springfield · Springfield · American Grill
FD's Grillhouse isn't trying to be a wine destination, and it knows it — the list is safe, the markups lean steep, and the by-the-glass selection does most of the heavy lifting. If you're here for burgers and a decent pour, you'll leave fine; just skip The Prisoner and let Catena or Chapoutier do the work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Fremont · Springfield · Upscale Italian
Avanzare isn't reinventing the wine list, but it's doing the right things in a market where that's not guaranteed — real Italian producers, a few adventurous picks, and a happy hour wine deal that's genuinely one of the better values in Springfield. Take someone you want to impress, order the Barbaresco, and get there before 6 PM.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown · Springfield · Upscale Steakhouse
Flame is doing what a downtown Springfield steakhouse should do — keeping the room happy with a recognizable, well-stocked list and an unusually strong by-the-glass program. It's not breaking new ground, but if you know what you want and pick carefully, there's a solid night of wine to be had here.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Springfield · Springfield · Wine Bar / Tapas & Small Plates
Cellar + Plate earns its Wild Card badge by doing things a mid-Missouri wine bar has no obligation to do — stocking real producers, offering genuine specials, and building a list with an actual perspective. It's not a destination in the national sense, but for Springfield? Send your friends on a Wednesday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Springfield · Springfield · American
Ocean Zen has held a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2019, and the list earns it by being consistently fair and food-friendly, even if it never surprises you. Come on a Wednesday, order the J. Lohr, and enjoy the sea bass — you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.