Plaza Patio Wine That Won't Embarrass You
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · Creative American with Southern influences · Visit Website ↗
Updated April 2026
Reviewed March 26, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Gram & Dun’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Gram & Dun reads like a crowd-pleasing greatest hits album — familiar names, approachable regions, nothing that's going to scare off a casual drinker. It fits the room: upbeat, neighborhood-friendly, better than you'd expect from a spot that leads with fried chicken and waffles. But once you start checking retail prices, the shine dulls pretty fast.
The list spans 40-60 bottles across California, Italy, Oregon, France, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina, which is respectable range for a Plaza casual-upscale. You'll find solid anchors like Patricia Green Reserve Pinot Noir from Willamette and Chateau Montelena Chardonnay from Napa — both wines that signal someone put thought into this. The VinZant Wines presence (multiple SKUs) feels like a supplier relationship more than a curated choice, and it drags the list toward formulaic. The Italian section nods to Trentino and Tuscany but doesn't go deep enough to reward explorers.
Eighteen by-the-glass options is genuinely generous and one of the list's real strengths — ranging from $8 to $17, with solid representation across whites, reds, and bubbles. The Mollydooker 'The Boxer' Shiraz and Patricia Green Pinot Noir both appearing by the glass is a nice touch, giving drinkers access to wines worth their attention without committing to a bottle. Rotation appears static rather than seasonal, which is a missed opportunity given the kitchen's creative menu.
Pinot Noir, Patricia Green, Reserve, Willamette, Oregon — $59
At 31% over retail, this is the most fairly marked bottle on the list. Patricia Green makes serious Willamette Pinot Noir, and at $59 you're getting a wine that outperforms its price by a wide margin compared to everything else here. This is the move.
Chianti, Renzo Masi 'Riserva', Tuscany, Italy
Most people at Gram & Dun are reaching for California reds, which means the Renzo Masi Riserva sits quietly on the list, largely ignored. Chianti Riserva at a Southern-leaning American spot is an unexpected match that actually works — bright acidity, earthy grip, and enough structure to cut through richer dishes.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Louis Martini, Napa Valley, California
At $100 on the list against a $35 retail price, this is a 186% markup on a wine that doesn't merit the splurge even at retail. Louis Martini is a fine, workmanlike Napa Cab — but it is not a $100 bottle. Spend that money on two glasses of something more interesting.
Chardonnay, Sea Smoke, Sta. Rita Hills, California + Pan Seared Atlantic Scallops
Sea Smoke's Chardonnay comes from one of California's cooler coastal appellations, which means you get tension and salinity alongside the richness. That energy mirrors seared scallops — the wine's acidity cuts the butter, the fruit fills in where the sweetness of the scallop peaks. It's a genuinely strong combination.
The Bottom Line
Gram & Dun is a reliable wine stop in a city that doesn't have enough of them — solid by-the-glass program, a few genuinely good bottles, and a patio worth lingering on. Just skip the Louis Martini and anything with VinZant on it and you'll come out ahead.
· Kansas City · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Kansas City isn't a wine destination, but it's not a wine disappointment either. Prices are fair, the South American focus makes thematic sense, and the VIK and Lapostolle picks show there's a ceiling here above the house pour. Come for the beef, drink the Eulila, leave happy.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Stockyards District · Kansas City · Steakhouse
A steakhouse list with a 22-pour glass section at $12 to $20 and a Bottle List that runs from 46 to 348. Start with the Emilio Moro Tempranillo at $12 or the Amigoni Urban Drover at $14, and put a glass of the Daou Cabernet next to the Kansas City Strip. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups, so confirm what is pouring.
Crossroads / Westside border (Southwest Boulevard) · Kansas City · Spanish tapas / small plates
A tapas-bar drinks sheet with glass/bottle pairs starting at 9/36 and a separate sherry-by-the-glass list. Start with the Reino de la Vina Tempranillo Reserva at 12/48 alongside the Paella Valenciana, or the Venta Morales Tempranillo at 10/40, and confirm prices because the sheet is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
River Market · Kansas City · French
A French-led list with 25 two-price wines up front and a long run of Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhône bottles behind them. Start with the Chinon Le Garenne at 42 or the Cornas 'Granit 60' at 88, ask which number is the glass price, and confirm prices, since the page is undated. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · Winery Restaurant / American
A long, bin-numbered list that mixes dry wines, sweet wines and flavored sparklers on one page, with a Cakebread Cellars wine as its priciest bottle. Start with the $12.00 Pinot Noir or the $12.75 Winemaker's Barrel Reserve, and confirm prices at the Plaza location before you go. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
North Kansas City · Kansas City · Italian-American
A glass list that fits an Italian menu: 24 wines from $8 to $13, with Barolo, Amarone and Brunello available by the bottle. Start with the $8 Capasoldo Pinot Grigio, or the $13 Banfi Chianti Riserva if you are ordering the Veal Parmigiana, and confirm current prices. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks list, not service, storage or markups.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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