Southern Hospitality Meets Approachable Wine
Downtown · Asheville · Southern · Visit Website ↗
Updated March 2026
Reviewed February 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The list leans Southern-friendly without being predictable—think approachable American and French bottles that won't fight with pimento cheese or fried green tomatoes. The vibe is confident enough to work, even if it's not going to blow minds. This is a restaurant that gets wine matters, even if it's not the star of the show.
You'll find a respectable spread of American producers—California Chardonnay and Pinot, some Oregon representation, a handful of Virginia bottles nodding to regional pride. The Old World side skews French: Loire Valley whites, Rhône reds, some entry-level Burgundy that won't destroy your credit card. There's enough depth to avoid boredom, but don't expect a cellar full of unicorns. The list does its job: complement the food without demanding a sommelier translator.
The glass program runs around 10-12 pours, rotating seasonally with an eye toward food-friendly options. You'll see a sparkling option, a crisp white or two, maybe a rosé in warmer months, and a handful of reds that range from light to medium-bodied. Nothing groundbreaking, but nothing offensive either—solid choices that pair well with the menu's smokehouse-meets-garden style.
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet — $48
Oyster-friendly Loire white with serious acidity and minerality that cuts through rich Southern cooking—drinks way above its price point
Staete Landt Pinot Noir, Marlborough
New Zealand Pinot that most people sleep on because they're stuck on Sauvignon Blanc—earthy, elegant, and brilliant with duck or pork
House Chardonnay by the glass
Overworked California butter bomb that's marked up and fights instead of complements—spend $3 more for something with actual character
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Reserve + Wood-fired pork chop with collard greens
The Grenache-based red has enough fruit to handle the char and smoke, while the earthiness plays perfectly with those bitter greens
✔️ The Bottom Line
Husk isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine—it's a solid supporting cast to excellent Southern cooking. The list is fair, approachable, and won't leave you feeling gouged or bored.
Downtown Asheville · Asheville · Farm to Table
The Blackbird is doing wine right in a town that's more known for craft beer — there's a real sommelier (Sarah Reder) behind this list and it shows. Send your wine-curious friends here without hesitation.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Asheville · Asheville · American
Vue 1913 is a reliable wine destination for guests who know what they like and want to drink it with a jaw-dropping view — just don't expect the list to push you anywhere new. Send your California Cab-loving friends here without hesitation; send your natural wine friends somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Grove Park · Asheville · Regional
Sunset Terrace isn't a wine destination — it's a destination where wine happens to be available and handled competently. Come for the mountains and the steak, order the Ridge or the Sonoma-Cutrer, and enjoy the fact that at least nobody's pouring you something terrible.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Asheville · Asheville · American, Farm to Table
Jargon is doing something real with wine in a neighborhood that doesn't demand it, and that's exactly why it deserves your attention. Send a friend here — just tell them to skip the Napa Cab and ask about the Minervois.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Asheville · Asheville · American
The Dining Room is genuinely worth the trip, and not just because of the mansion backdrop — the sommelier team is real, the cellar is serious, and Wednesday half-price wine night turns a splurge into a steal. Markups on the prestige bottles are steep, but the overall program earns its Best of Award of Excellence.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Asheville · Asheville · Middle Eastern
Jerusalem Garden Cafe does Middle Eastern food well, but the wine program is non-existent. Stick to the Turkish coffee or mint tea and save your wine budget for literally anywhere else in Asheville.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Red Flag
MIA
Set & Forget
Hot Mess
Bessemer · Bessemer · Southern
Bright Star isn't a destination for wine lovers, but it's not pretending to be — and the Skouras on that list is enough to earn our respect. Come for the history and the seafood, order the Greek white, and don't look too hard at the Sancerre pricing.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Pearl District · Portland · Southern
Screen Door is a Wild Card — a Southern comfort food spot that has no business having a thoughtful Oregon wine list, and yet here we are. The markups sting a little, but the Lambrusco alone is worth the detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Fort Myers · Fort Myers · Southern
The Veranda isn't trying to be a wine bar — it's a landmark Southern dining room that happens to have a real cellar worth exploring. The pricing is fairer than you'd expect for the market, the depth is legitimate, and if you're willing to look past the Caymus-and-friends lineup, there are genuinely rewarding bottles hiding in there.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.