Wednesday bottles save this list from itself
Downtown · Burlington · Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The exposed brick and farm-to-table ethos set expectations high, but the wine list lands closer to a casual neighborhood bar than a place serious about what's in your glass. It's short — 20-35 bottles — and leans heavily on recognizable label-shoppers rather than anything that would make a wine nerd sit up straight. Still, the Wednesday half-price bottle deal changes the math considerably.
California dominates here, with the Pacific Northwest and France filling in the gaps and a nod to Vermont and regional producers that feels more like a token gesture than a real commitment. You're not finding grower Champagne or anything from Jura — this is Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Josh Cellars, La Crema territory, which plays well to a crowd that wants comfort over curiosity. The regional Vermont angle is genuinely interesting on paper and the most distinctive thing about this list, but it's unclear how deep that thread actually runs. There are no obvious deep-cellar moments here; the list exists to be easy, not exciting.
Eight to twelve pours by the glass is a respectable count for a gastropub of this size, and the turnover should be keeping things reasonably fresh. The problem is the roster reads like a greatest hits of grocery store staples — which works fine if you're just washing down a grass-fed burger, but don't expect anything that makes you put your fork down. Rotation appears to happen, which at least means the glass program isn't completely set-and-forget.
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — $28
Normally we'd skip this one entirely, but on a Wednesday half-price night it lands at $14 — a dollar less than retail. That's the only time this list becomes genuinely compelling, and a burger-friendly Cab at that price is hard to argue with.
Vermont and Regional Producers
Whatever local bottles Farmhouse is pouring from Vermont and regional producers are the most interesting thing on this list by a mile. Ask your server what's local — if they carry something from a Vermont winery, it's a conversation worth having and a story worth drinking.
Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
At $28 on any night other than Wednesday, you're paying 133% over retail for a $12 grocery store Cab. The burger deserves better, and so does your wallet.
Meiomi Pinot Noir 2022 + Rotisserie Chicken
Meiomi's soft, fruit-forward style isn't subtle, but it doesn't fight with roasted bird the way a bigger red would. On a Wednesday at $21, it's an easy, crowd-pleasing call that actually makes sense with the menu.
Wednesday — Half-price bottles of wine all day Wednesday
✔️ The Bottom Line
Farmhouse Tap & Grill is a great place for a burger and a local beer — the wine list is an afterthought that charges you accordingly. Come on a Wednesday, grab a half-price bottle, and keep your expectations calibrated to 'fine.'
Waterfront · Burlington · Craft Brewery with Bar Snacks
Foam is a brewery first, but the wine program punches way above its weight class — it's small, local, and priced like they actually want you to drink it. If you're on Burlington's waterfront and want something interesting in your glass that isn't a hazy IPA, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Burlington · New American with Vegan Options
The Daily Planet isn't a wine destination, but it has the instincts of one — a thoughtful natural wine pick, Monday half-price bottles, and fair pricing in a casual room that doesn't take itself too seriously. Send a friend here on a Monday and tell them to ask about the orange wine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown · Burlington · New American Bistro
The Gryphon is a reliable neighborhood bistro with a wine list that matches its ambitions exactly: familiar, functional, and forgettable. Come for the burgers and brick walls, but don't expect the wine to be the highlight of your night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Burlington · Neapolitan wood-fired pizza and Italian cuisine
Pizzeria Verità isn't trying to be a wine destination and it doesn't need to be — it's a smart, Italy-focused list with honest markups and a few genuinely interesting bottles tucked in among the crowd-pleasers. Go for the pizza, order the Nebbiolo or the Cirò, and leave happy.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Church Street Marketplace · Burlington · Upscale American Steakhouse
EB Strong's has a wine list that does the job well and occasionally surprises you — especially if you look past the Caymus and dig into the European picks. Wednesday's half-price bottle program makes it one of the better wine-value nights in Burlington, full stop.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Burlington · Seasonal New American, farm-to-table
Hen of the Wood Burlington is the rare restaurant where the wine list is as considered as the food, and that's saying something when the kitchen is this good. If you're driving through Vermont and care about what's in your glass, this is worth a reservation.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
La Frontera · Round Rock · Gastropub
The Brass Tap Round Rock isn't trying to be a wine destination, and the wine list reflects that with complete honesty. Order the beer, or if you're committed to wine, grab the Oyster Bay and make peace with your surroundings.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Toyota Music Factory / Las Colinas · Irving · Gastropub
Thirsty Lion isn't a wine destination — it's a pre-show pit stop with a decent enough list and markups that won't insult you. Come on a Wednesday, order a bottle of Meiomi at half price, eat a burger, and catch your show. That's the move.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown · Worcester · Gastropub
Armsby Abbey is not a wine destination — it's a world-class beer bar that stocks a wine list so no one at the table feels left out. Respect it for what it is, lean into the Garnacha or the Prosecco, and spend the rest of your mental energy on the tap list.
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.