Chef-driven cooking with a wine list TBD
Davidson · Charlotte · Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 3, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Kindred matches the vibe of the room — thoughtful, refined, not trying too hard. It's the kind of place where the staff knows what they're doing, which means the wine program likely gets the same care as the Chicken Saltimbocca. We wish we had more intel on the actual bottles, but the overall polish here suggests they're not phoning it in.
Given the chef-driven focus and the price point ($20-$30 entrées), we'd expect a list that leans Old World with some smart domestic picks — probably a few Burgundies and Northern Rhônes, some Italian reds to complement the lasagne, and a handful of West Coast Pinots and Chardonnays for the locals. The list probably isn't massive, but it's likely edited with intention. A restaurant this buttoned-up doesn't do grocery store wine. We're betting on 40-60 bottles with a few deeper selections for the collectors who make the drive from Charlotte.
No hard data here, but if the staff is as well-trained as reported, the glass pours are probably rotated seasonally and chosen to pair with the menu. Expect 6-10 options leaning toward food-friendly classics — maybe a Sancerre, a Spanish Garnacha, an Oregon Pinot. The kind of list where you can order blind and trust you'll get something solid.
2021 Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine — $42
Mineral-driven Loire white that'll cut through the richness of that Port Wine Mushroom Sauce without breaking the bank
2020 Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo Langhe
Baby Barolo energy at half the price — structured enough for beef, elegant enough for the room
Generic Napa Cabernet over $80
If they're charging Charlotte steakhouse prices for a big Cab in Davidson, you're paying for the drive, not the wine
2019 Château de Pibarnon Bandol Rouge + Kindred Lasagne
Provençal Mourvèdre-based red with earthy structure and Mediterranean herb notes that'll make the tomato sauce sing
✔️ The Bottom Line
Kindred feels like the kind of place that sweats the details, which bodes well for the wine program even if we don't have the full picture. Worth the drive for dinner, and we're confident you'll drink well when you get there.
Ballantyne · Charlotte · American, Californian
Juniper Grill is a reliable, California-focused wine list that earns its Wine Spectator nod — just don't come looking for adventure. If you want a great Napa Cab with your short ribs in a comfortable room, this is your spot.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Charlotte · Charlotte · American
Caroline's isn't trying to be a wine destination — it's an oyster bar with California ambitions and prices that don't punish you for ordering well. Wednesday half-price wine night alone is worth putting in your rotation.
Plays It Safe
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Plaza Midwood · Charlotte · Southern American, Steakhouse
Supperland is a genuinely wild place to drink wine — stained glass overhead, a cast iron skillet on the table, and a bottle of Tignanello on the list. The markups aren't generous and no sommelier is guiding you, but if you know what you're looking for, this Wine Spectator-recognized list delivers for a Southern steakhouse in a church.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
South End · Charlotte · Italian, Steakhouse
Dean's is a dependable upscale steakhouse wine list that does exactly what it promises — California and Italy, done well, at prices that sting a little but don't embarrass anyone. Send a friend here if they want a proper Barolo with their ribeye; skip it if they're hunting for value or adventure.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
SouthPark · Charlotte · American, Seasonal
Reid's is doing real work on this wine list — the Italian depth alone justifies the drive across Charlotte. The markup can sting and there's no dedicated sommelier to guide you through it, but the bones here are excellent and the Wine Spectator recognition is well earned.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
SouthPark · Charlotte · American, Farm to Table
Peppervine earns its Wine Spectator hardware the honest way: a deep, well-curated list at prices that don't make you wince, anchored by a Tuesday half-price program that should be illegal. Send your friends here — just make sure they skip the Rombauer.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Downtown · Columbia · Contemporary American
Bleu is the kind of wine list that works well if you already know what you want and want it done properly. It's not pushing any boundaries, the markups are on the steeper side, and there's no real discovery to be had — but for a night out in Columbia, it's a solid, well-stocked option that won't let you down.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Northwest Akron · Akron · Contemporary American
Wednesday's half-price bottle night is genuinely the move here — it's the only time the math starts working in your favor. Show up on any other night and you're paying hotel prices for grocery store wine with a great view.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Country Club Plaza · Overland Park · Contemporary American
Gram & Dun is a reliable wine night for Plaza-adjacent diners who want a real list without doing homework — the California selections are genuinely good, and a few hidden gems reward curious drinkers. Just steer clear of the trophy bottles unless you enjoy paying rent-money markups.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.