Smoke Rings, Safe Pours, Zero Surprises
Northwest Bentonville · Bentonville · Steakhouse / BBQ · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 18, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Fred's Hickory Inn’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Fred's Hickory Inn reads like it was assembled in about forty-five minutes, then never touched again. You've got Beringer, Little Penguin, and Placido sharing space with Moët — a lineup that feels less curated and more accidental. For a historic Bentonville institution with genuine food credibility, the wine program is a clear afterthought.
Ten to fifteen labels spanning France, Italy, California, New York State, Washington, Australia, and Spain sounds like solid coverage until you look at the actual bottles — Beringer California Collection, Little Penguin Shiraz, and Tapena Tempranillo aren't exactly deep cuts. The most interesting thing on the list is Millbrook's Tocai Friulano out of Hudson Valley and Pacific Rim's Chenin Blanc from Washington, two bottles that suggest someone, at some point, tried to go slightly off-script. Chapoutier's Belleruche White Rhône Blend is a legitimate wine from a legitimate producer and sticks out as the one bottle that earns its place without apology. Beyond those bright spots, this is strictly airport-wine-store territory.
Glass pour specifics aren't published, so we can't tell you what's actually being poured by the glass versus bottle-only. Given the overall list composition, we'd expect the usual suspects — probably the Beringer Chardonnay and the Placido Pinot Grigio — and little else worth getting excited about. If you're here and the Chapoutier Belleruche is available by the glass, that's your move.
Chapoutier Belleruche White Rhône Blend — null
Pricing isn't published, but Belleruche is a reliable, food-friendly white from a serious Rhône producer — on a list this thin, it's the one bottle doing actual work. If the price is anywhere in range, take it.
Millbrook Tocai Friulano
A Hudson Valley Tocai Friulano on a BBQ joint wine list in Arkansas is genuinely unexpected. Millbrook is a real producer making honest wines, and Tocai Friulano is the kind of grape most people walk right past. Worth a look if it's available.
Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut
Moët at a hickory smoke BBQ joint almost certainly comes with a serious restaurant markup, and Moët Impérial is already one of the most overpriced bottles relative to quality at retail. The Maschio Prosecco or Kriter Brut will run you less and lose nothing meaningful in the trade.
Pacific Rim Chenin Blanc + Hickory smoked pit barbecue plate
Pacific Rim's Chenin Blanc brings enough off-dry fruit and acid to cut through smoke and fat without fighting the meat. It's not a glamorous pairing, but it works harder than any Chardonnay at this table would.
The Bottom Line
Fred's Hickory Inn is worth the trip for the smoke and the history — the wine list is not the reason you come. Order the barbecue, drink whatever's cold, and save the serious bottle for somewhere else.
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
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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