James Dean Slept Here, Drink Texas
Hotel Paisano · Marfa · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 7, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Jett's Grill’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
You walk into Hotel Paisano and the whole place hums with old West Texas glamour — leather booths, black-and-white stills of James Dean on the wall, a courtyard fountain doing its best under a sky full of stars. The wine list arrives and it's... fine. It's not trying to match the drama of the room, but it's not embarrassing either.
The list runs 40 to 80 bottles deep with a clear Texas-first philosophy — Becker Vineyards makes a strong showing alongside California Cabernet and some Washington State representation for the red wine crowd. It's a crowd-pleasing spread that won't challenge anyone but will keep a table of six from arguing. There's no real old-world presence to speak of, and adventurous drinkers looking for Burgundy or Barolo will come up empty. What you get is a solid regional snapshot that makes sense for a West Texas steakhouse — just don't expect anyone to have pushed the envelope.
The by-the-glass program clocks in at 8 to 15 options, which is respectable for Marfa — this isn't exactly a city swimming in wine bars. Expect the usual suspects: a California Cab, maybe a Washington red, and a Becker Vineyards pour that earns its place on the list. Rotation appears minimal, so what you see is what you get for the season.
Becker Vineyards Texas Hill Country Red — $12
Supporting Texas wine in Texas is always the right call, and Becker consistently delivers honest, food-friendly reds that hold their own against steakhouse beef. If it's on by the glass, it's your move.
Becker Vineyards Texas Hill Country Selection
Most people reaching for a red at a steakhouse default to California Cab on autopilot — but the Texas Hill Country pours from Becker are the more interesting choice here, and they tell a story that actually fits where you're sitting.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
A generic California Cab at a West Texas steakhouse is always going to come with a markup that doesn't reflect what's in the glass. You can get this wine anywhere. You can only get Marfa here.
Becker Vineyards Texas Hill Country Red + Pistachio-Crusted Sirloin Steak
The nuttiness of that pistachio crust needs a red with enough fruit to stand up to it but enough restraint not to bulldoze the beef. A Becker Hill Country red hits that mark — it's not trying to be Napa, which is exactly what this dish needs.
The Bottom Line
Jett's Grill is not a wine destination, but it's a perfectly decent place to drink wine in one of the most dramatic dining rooms in West Texas. Order Texas, skip the generic California, and spend the money you saved on another round under that fountain.
Hotel Saint George · Marfa · Farm-to-Table
St. George Restaurant isn't trying to be a wine destination — but it's trying harder than most places twice its size in cities ten times larger. If you're in Marfa, drink the Gamay, consider the Hobo, and appreciate that someone here actually thought about this list.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hotel Saint George · Marfa · New American
LaVenture is punching well above its weight for a hotel restaurant in the middle of nowhere, and the by-the-glass program alone makes it worth sitting down for a pour. Not destination-worthy on the wine alone, but if you're already in Marfa, this is exactly where you want to drink.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown College Station · Marfa · American with Texan Twist
Marfa Texas Kitchen isn't a destination wine stop, but it's doing something genuinely interesting by centering Texas producers in a market that rarely bothers. If you're eating here, drink the Texas stuff — that's the whole point.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Davis Mountains · Marfa · Winery & Vineyard
Chateau Wright is a detour that earns its keep — a small, serious estate winery doing something genuinely rare in Texas, with a food truck, mountain views, and no delusions of grandeur. If you're anywhere near Marfa or Fort Davis, skipping it is the wrong call.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Marfa · Marfa · Small plates and wine bar
Alta Marfa is a Wild Card in the truest sense: it shouldn't exist at this level in a town this remote, and yet here we are. If you're passing through Marfa and you care even a little about wine, this is not optional.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Marfa · Marfa · New American
Bar Saint George isn't a wine destination, but it's a damn fine place to drink well while you debate whether the Judd sculptures are worth the drive. At these prices, in this zip code, we'd send a friend here without hesitation.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eagle Ranch · Vail · American
The Wild Sage is your dependable neighborhood spot in Eagle Ranch — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you at dinner either. Watch the markups on the top-shelf Napa bottles and stick to the mid-range, and you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Traverse City · American
Warehouse Kitchen + Cork won't win any awards for depth or ambition, but it plays its hand honestly — fair prices, solid local representation, and a full by-the-glass program that respects your wallet. If you're in Traverse City and want a glass of something local with a water view, this works.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Truckee · Truckee · American
Sunnyside is a casual lodge restaurant wearing a serious wine list under its flannel — the markup is steep and it won't win any awards for staff expertise, but the producer lineup is legitimately impressive for where you're sitting. If you're already at the lake, this is absolutely worth ordering a real bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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