Tequila Bar That Actually Thought About Wine
Downtown · New Haven · Southwestern · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 3, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You walk into Geronimo expecting to drink mezcal negronis and forget wine exists — and honestly, that's still probably the move. But flip past the agave spirits list and there's a compact 11-bottle wine program that shows someone actually tried. It's not an afterthought, which is more than you can say for most tequila bars.
Eleven labels, all available by the glass, with a deliberate lean toward Spain, Argentina, and Italy — regions that actually make sense alongside Southwestern food. There's a Conde Valdemar Rioja Tempranillo Blanco on here, which is genuinely interesting: a white wine made from Tempranillo that most people have never tried. The Catena 'High Mountain' Cabernet and La Val Albariño give the list some backbone on both ends of the spectrum. Gaps are obvious — no domestic wines worth noting, no Rhône, no natural anything — but for a restaurant whose identity is rooted in agave, this is a wine list that earns its keep.
All 11 bottles pour by the glass, which is the right call for a casual taco-and-guac spot where nobody's committing to a full bottle of Merlot. Prices run $10–$16, which is reasonable for downtown New Haven. The range hits sparkling, rosé, white, and red without feeling scattered.
La Val Albariño — $16
Albariño from Rías Baixas is one of the most food-friendly whites you can drink, and at $16 a glass it's priced honestly for what it is. Crisp, saline, built for spicy food — this is the correct glass at this restaurant.
Conde Valdemar Rioja Tempranillo Blanco
Most people see 'Tempranillo' and expect red — this white version from Rioja will genuinely surprise them. It's textured, slightly savory, and interesting in a way nothing else on this list is. Most tables will walk right past it and order the Pinot Grigio. Don't be that table.
Angelini Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio at a Southwestern tequila bar is the path of least resistance and least reward. Neutral, forgettable, and when you've got Albariño and a Tempranillo Blanco sitting right next to it, there's no reason to default to this.
La Val Albariño + Tableside Guacamole
The brightness and acidity in the Albariño cuts through the fat of the avocado while holding up to whatever heat you're putting in that guac. Salt, citrus, and a little kick — the wine is basically built for this dish.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Geronimo is first and foremost a tequila bar, and you should absolutely drink tequila here. But if you want wine, the list is smart enough to reward you — especially if you order the Albariño and skip the obvious stuff.
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Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Skappo Merkato earns its Wild Card badge by doing something rare: committing fully to a region most restaurants ignore and making it work. If you're eating here anyway, skip the cocktail and let someone walk you through the Umbrian side of the list.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
West Plano · Plano · Southwestern
Blue Mesa Grill is worth a visit for the food, but the wine list is an afterthought — nine grocery-store bottles and a happy hour to make them feel less sad. Order a margarita and save your wine budget for somewhere that earned it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
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Four by Brother Luck isn't a wine destination, but it's running an honest, fair-priced list in a restaurant where the food is clearly the main event. Send a friend here for dinner and tell them to order the Barbera — they'll thank you.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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