Wednesday night's the only reason to pour
Cherry Creek · Denver · Contemporary American
Reviewed March 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
A 105-bottle list that screams hotel restaurant trying to look serious. Custom wine wall storage looks impressive, but the pricing tells a different story. This is a list built for expense accounts, not wine lovers.
California-heavy with the usual suspects — nothing adventurous, nothing regional. The 2012 Ramey Rodgers Creek Syrah at $128 is a legitimate bottle, but it's surrounded by safe crowd-pleasers like Whispering Angel and Daou. The list reads like someone Googled 'popular wine brands' and doubled the price. No natural wines, no small producers, no reason to explore beyond the Wednesday special.
Ten to fourteen options rotate through, all predictable. The Terrazas Reserve Chardonnay shows up, along with the usual Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc lineup. Nothing offensive, nothing exciting. These are wines designed not to scare tourists.
Literally any bottle under $80 on Wednesday — 50% off
The half-price Wednesday deal is the only time this list makes financial sense — suddenly that $60 Albariño becomes a reasonable $30
Steinbock Riesling Mosel 2020
At $52 it's still overpriced, but it's the only wine on the list showing restraint and terroir — wait for Wednesday and it's actually fair at $26
Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV
Eighty-eight dollars for Moet you can buy at Costco for $44 — this is the markup in its most naked, shameless form
Ramey Rodgers Creek Syrah 2012 + Any grilled steak on the menu
The only bottle on this list with real weight and age — Ramey makes serious Syrah, and it can handle char and fat
Wednesday — 50% off all wine bottles under $80 from 5pm-close
❌ The Bottom Line
Circle Wednesday on your calendar or drink cocktails. A 100% markup across the board turns a decent California-focused list into an expensive lesson in hotel dining. The wine wall looks great in photos, but your wallet won't.
Downtown Denver · Denver · American, Steakhouse
Range is a confident, well-kept steakhouse list that won't surprise you but absolutely won't let you down — especially if California Cabs are your language. Just come in with your eyes open on pricing, and let Dan steer you toward the Jordan.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Cherry Creek · Denver · American, Seafood
Salt Water Social plays it safe with wine but plays it well — California classics at fair prices, with a Wednesday half-price night that makes it a genuine weekly option. No one's discovering anything new here, but you won't be disappointed either.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Denver · Denver · Regional Steakhouse
Urban Farmer is a solid, no-drama wine stop for anyone who loves California Cab and wants a proper glass with a well-cooked steak. It won't surprise you, but it won't disappoint you either — and in Denver's steakhouse scene, that's worth something.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
LoDo · Denver · Mediterranean, Spanish
Rioja earned its Wine Spectator nod, and then some — a Spanish wine list this focused and this well-stocked is rare anywhere, let alone Denver. If Spain is your thing, or you want it to become your thing, this is the room.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Denver · Denver · Italian
Restaurant Olivia is the kind of neighborhood Italian spot that quietly holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and earns it without making a fuss about it. Send your friends who think Denver can't do wine right — this list will change the conversation.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
RiNo · Denver · American, Seasonal
Nocturne is a jazz club that moonlights as a serious wine destination — the combo shouldn't work this well, but it does. Tuesday half-price nights make this an easy recommendation; any other night, lean toward the Flowers or the Leroy and let the music do the rest.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
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.