Beer Country With a Wine Side Hustle
Downtown · Harrisburg · American/Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed September 15, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Federal Taphouse Harrisburg’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Federal Taphouse leads with its taps — dozens of them — and the wine list feels like it was added to keep the non-beer crowd from bolting. That said, the regions represented (Napa, Marlborough, Champagne, Côtes du Rhône) suggest someone at least glanced at a map before printing the menu. Don't walk in expecting a serious wine program, but don't assume it's hopeless either.
The list pulls from a reasonable spread of regions — Sonoma and Napa for domestic fans, Marlborough for Sauvignon Blanc seekers, Chablis and Wachau for the Old World curious, and Côtes du Rhône and Saint-Émilion rounding out the French contingent. What's missing is any real depth or curation: these are recognizable names built for easy yes decisions, not for exploration. Paso Robles and South Africa make token appearances, which is at least a nod toward something beyond the obvious. It's a wine list written for people who want wine, not people who love it.
We don't have exact by-the-glass counts, but in a high-volume gastropub like this, expect the usual suspects — a Cab, a Malbec, a Chardonnay, maybe a Pinot Grigio — rotating slowly and poured without much ceremony. If you're here for the by-the-glass program specifically, manage expectations accordingly.
The Bottom Line
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.
· 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
· 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
· Harrisburg · French-Inspired Brasserie
Rubicon is doing something genuinely uncommon for Harrisburg — a wine list with a real point of view, fair pricing, and bottles that reward curiosity. If you like exploring past the obvious, this list earns a detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
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.
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