Strip Mall Spot That Actually Cares About Wine
Downtown · Wilmington · Contemporary American with Southern influences · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 11, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Jerry's lands in a strip mall on Wrightsville Avenue, which sets low expectations — and then the wine list shows up and resets them slightly. It's a California-heavy, crowd-pleasing card that doesn't take many risks, but the from-scratch kitchen and reportedly sharp service signal that somebody here at least gives a damn. Not a destination list, but not an afterthought either.
The list runs 50+ labels with a clear gravitational pull toward Napa and Sonoma, with some Oregon and Provence thrown in for good measure. You'll find the greatest hits — Jordan Cab, Caymus, Silver Oak, Duckhorn Chard — which reads more like a restaurant playing to its audience than a team with real curiosity. There's nothing wrong with these bottles, but there's nothing surprising either. Gaps in Old World coverage are hard to ignore, and anyone looking for a natural wine, a grower Champagne, or something from southern Italy is going to be disappointed.
The by-the-glass program runs at least five options in the $8.50–$10 range, which is reasonable for a Wilmington neighborhood restaurant. We'd want to see more rotation and variety in those pours — at these price points, there's room to get more interesting. What's here is safe and drinkable, not exciting.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $90
Jordan is a reliable, well-made Alexander Valley Cab that retails around $55-60, so the restaurant markup is real — but compared to the Silver Oak at $100 or the Caymus at $110, it's the most honest value play on the red side of this list. At a table full of steak drinkers, it's the move.
Moët & Chandon Imperial
Most people at a casual Southern spot like this aren't ordering Champagne with dinner, which is a shame. At $85, the Moët is priced predictably, but it's the most versatile bottle on this list — it works with the Crispy Flounder and the lighter starters in a way that Caymus absolutely cannot.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
At $110 a bottle, you're paying a serious premium for a wine that's become essentially a lifestyle brand. Caymus is made in enormous quantities, retails for around $75-80, and the markup here doesn't match the juice. The Jordan gives you a better experience for less money.
Duckhorn Napa Chardonnay + Crispy Flounder with Southern collards and Carolina hoppin' john
Duckhorn's Chardonnay has enough weight and oak to stand up to the richness of fried fish and braised greens without bulldozing the dish. The slight butteriness in the wine plays off the collards, and the acidity cuts through the fry. It's the most food-driven pairing on the list.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Jerry's is a genuinely good neighborhood restaurant that happens to take wine seriously enough to matter — just not seriously enough to get adventurous with it. Send a friend here for a solid dinner with a dependable California pour, not a list they'll talk about later.
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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