Plaza Patio Wine That Won't Embarrass You
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · Creative American with Southern influences · Visit Website ↗
Updated April 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 26, 2026
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 · Kansas City · Italian
Osteria Il Centro punches well above its neighborhood bistro billing — this is a serious Italian wine list in a city that doesn't always get serious Italian wine lists. The markup stings and there's no sommelier to guide you through the depth, but if you know what you want or ask the right questions, you'll eat and drink very well here.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Crossroads / Westside border (Southwest Boulevard) · Kansas City · Spanish tapas / small plates
La Bodega is the Wild Card Kansas City didn't know it needed — a genuinely Spain-focused wine list with fair pricing and a half-price Monday that should be on everyone's weekly calendar. Send your friends here, especially on a Wednesday when the paella and a Rioja Reserva are waiting.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Columbus Park / Downtown Fringe · Kansas City · Classic Italian-American
Garozzo's is a Kansas City institution, and the wine list knows its lane — Italian classics, middle-of-the-road pricing, and zero pretension. Send a friend here for the Spiedini and a Chianti; just don't send them expecting to discover anything new.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Brookside / East Brookside · Kansas City · Seafood-focused American / Oyster Bar
Earl's Premier is a wild card in the best possible way: a thoughtfully curated, seafood-focused wine list hiding in a Kansas City neighborhood spot. Send your oyster-loving friends here and tell them to start with bubbles.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · Seafood / Oyster Bar
Jax KC isn't trying to be a wine destination and doesn't need to be — but the list is smarter than the room might suggest, with a few genuine standouts that reward paying attention. Send a friend here for oysters and Sancerre, and tell them to skip the markups on anything California.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Freight House / Crossroads · Kansas City · Italian
Lidia's is a reliable Italian wine destination with a focused list and real sommelier knowledge behind it — the markups sting on the entry-level bottles, but Wednesday half-price wine night changes the math entirely. If you're going any other night, aim high on the list where the value is better.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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