Neighborhood Spot Playing It Safe on Wine
East Nashville · Nashville · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated March 2026
Reviewed March 2, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Lockeland Table feels like the kind of East Nashville spot where the food gets all the attention and the wine list is an afterthought. The list exists, it's functional, but it's not making any bold moves or trying to surprise you.
The selection leans heavily on recognizable labels that won't scare anyone off—your Oyster Bays, your Kim Crawfords, your safe California Cabs. There's likely some French representation with a Côtes du Rhône or two and maybe a Chablis if you're lucky, but don't expect deep cuts from small producers or anything adventurous. The vibe is clearly designed to complement the food without demanding too much attention, which works for a neighborhood bistro but doesn't do much for wine nerds. Gaps are everywhere: limited Italian beyond Pinot Grigio, sparse Spanish selection, and probably zero natural or orange wines.
By-the-glass pours likely hover around 6-8 options, split predictably between whites and reds with maybe a sparkling option. The rotation is probably minimal—these are the same wines that have been on the list for months. Expect standard 5-6 oz pours at $10-14, which in Nashville feels a bit high for what you're getting.
Domaine Tariquet Côtes de Gascogne — $32
Crisp, aromatic, and refreshing—a French value wine that drinks above its price point and pairs well with lighter dishes
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Yes, it's widely available, but La Crema's Sonoma bottling is legitimately good and often overlooked because people assume it's boring grocery store wine
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
Marked up to $42+ on most Nashville lists when you can grab it for $12 retail—the markup math doesn't work
Domaine Chandon Brut + Any fried appetizer
Bubbles cut through rich, fried foods like magic, and Chandon's bright acidity resets your palate between bites
✔️ The Bottom Line
Lockeland Table is a solid neighborhood spot where you go for the food and community vibe, not the wine program. Order a glass of something safe, enjoy your meal, and save the wine exploration for another night.
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · American, French
Gannons is a reliable, well-curated wine destination dressed in hotel restaurant clothing — the sommelier team knows the list, the glass pour selection is strong, and the Italian and French highlights give it more personality than the Napa-heavy surface suggests. The markups lean steep, but the execution earns its Wine Spectator badge. We'd send a friend here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Southern American, Steakhouse
Deacon's won't expand your wine horizons, but if California Cabernet with your steak is the plan — and in Nashville, it often is — Andrew Lizardo's program delivers with confidence. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is earned, even if the list plays it safe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West End · Nashville · Seafood
Halls Catch is the right call for a Nashville seafood dinner when you want a wine list that won't embarrass you — just don't come looking for adventure outside the California zip codes. Send a friend here if they love Napa and know what they're ordering; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Green Hills · Nashville · Seafood, Steakhouse
Char is a dependable, well-executed steakhouse wine list that's built for crowd-pleasing, not adventuring — if California Cabernet is your comfort zone, you'll be happy here. Send a friend who wants a reliable pour with a prime cut; don't send the friend who just got back from a natural wine bar in Copenhagen.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Italian
Yolan is the best wine program in Nashville and it's not particularly close — the depth, the producers, the staff, and the setting all show up at the same time. Yes, the markups sting, but you're not here to find a bargain; you're here to drink Barolo properly.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
The Gulch · Nashville · American Seafood
Marsh House is carrying one of the most serious French-focused wine programs in Nashville, full stop — and the seafood menu is built like it was designed around the list. The markups sting and the staff isn't yet at the level of the cellar, but the bones here are exceptional enough to send anyone who cares about wine.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Golden Triangle Area · Denton · American
Cheddar's wine program exists to check a box, not to serve you well. Order a cocktail or a beer — they've actually put thought into those — and save the wine for a restaurant that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Golden Triangle Area · Denton · American
BJ's Denton is a beer hall that happens to stock wine, and the list makes that priority crystal clear. If you must drink wine here, come on a Tuesday — Half Off Wine Tuesday is the one thing this program does that actually earns a tip of the glass.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Southridge / Town Center Trail · Denton · American
Houlihan's Denton is not a wine destination, and it has no interest in being one. The one genuine reason to order wine here is Tuesday — half-price bottles all day is a deal worth setting a calendar reminder for, especially if you're grabbing the Portillo or the Bloodroot.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.