Crowd-pleasing Reno list done right
Reno · Mediterranean
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 29, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Madein’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Madein reads like a greatest hits album — Rombauer, Duckhorn, Catena Zapata. Nothing surprising, but nothing embarrassing either. For Reno, this is a solid effort that prioritizes approachability over adventure.
One hundred twenty labels sounds impressive until you realize the list leans heavily on California and a few Argentine mainstays. Napa Cabs dominate the red section, Chardonnay owns the whites, and there's not much reason to wander off those well-worn paths. The Mediterranean cuisine hint feels disconnected from the wine program — don't expect any Grillo, Vermentino, or Assyrtiko to anchor those wood-fired dishes. What you do get is reliable, name-brand juice that most guests at the table will recognize and trust.
Twelve pours by the glass at $11–$18 is a reasonable spread for the price point. The range mirrors the bottle list — California-heavy, familiar labels, no real curveballs. Rotation appears minimal, so don't expect seasonal surprises or a new discovery every visit.
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2020 — $55
At roughly 57% above retail, it's not a steal — but for a list in this price tier, that's about as fair as it gets. This is a genuinely well-made Malbec from one of Argentina's best producers, and it drinks well above its restaurant price tag.
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2020
Most tables at an upscale Reno bistro are reaching for the Duckhorn or Rombauer on autopilot. The Catena Zapata is the better wine story — high-altitude Mendoza fruit, real complexity, and a producer with serious credibility that most diners overlook in favor of a familiar California label.
Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
At $145 on the menu versus $95 at retail, the math isn't offensive — but Duckhorn Cab is the kind of wine that feels more expensive than it actually is. You're paying for the brand recognition, not the glass. There are better ways to spend $145 on this list.
Rombauer Chardonnay 2021 + Wood-fired fish
Rombauer's butter-forward style was practically engineered for anything coming off a wood fire. The oak and richness stand up to char and smoke without bulldozing lighter proteins. It's not a subtle pairing, but it works.
The Bottom Line
Madein isn't pushing any boundaries with its wine program, but it's priced fairly and stocked with names that won't let you down. Send your less adventurous wine-drinking friends here with confidence — just don't expect to discover anything new.
Downtown / Casino Row · Reno · Upscale American Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Reno is a reliable, well-run steakhouse wine program inside a casino resort — competent glassware, proper storage, and a sommelier who knows the list cold. Just don't come here looking for discovery; come here knowing exactly what you want and prepared to pay full freight for it.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Reno · American small plates, tapas-style, steakhouse-influenced
Sierra St. Kitchen punches above its weight for downtown Reno — the list has real producers, genuine range, and a sommelier keeping it honest. Just know the markups are real, and steer toward the Old World and Pacific Northwest bottles where the value hides.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · Reno · Italian – Tuscan & Coastal
Calafuria isn't trying to be a destination wine list — it's trying to be the right wine list for this restaurant, and it mostly succeeds. Send your friends here if they want something Italian that doesn't feel phoned in; just don't expect fireworks beyond the bottle.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Northwest Reno · Reno · Health-focused American café with organic, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo options
Great Full Gardens isn't a wine destination and it doesn't pretend to be — but for a health-focused café in Northwest Reno, the glass prices are honest and the pours are solid enough to enjoy alongside the food. Send a friend here for lunch, just don't tell them to order the Chardonnay.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · Reno · New American / Fine Dining
LuLou's wine list won't win any awards, but it won't ruin your dinner either — and in a city where restaurant wine programs often feel like an afterthought, that counts for something. Send a friend here for a solid meal with a bottle of Jordan; just don't expect to discover anything new.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Eldorado Resort Casino · Reno · Californian / Steakhouse
Roxy isn't a destination wine program — it's a competent casino steakhouse list with the right bottles for the room. Show up on a Wednesday, order the Jordan at half price, and you'll leave happy.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Little Italy · San Diego · Mediterranean
Barra Oliba is doing something genuinely interesting for San Diego — a Spain-focused wine program in a polished Little Italy setting, backed by real culinary intent and a sommelier keeping things honest. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, especially if they're ready to let the staff steer. The full list isn't something we've been able to verify in detail, so consider this a strong lead worth confirming in person over a glass of Albariño.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Elektra's list is small and smart — a rare combination. The commitment to Greek, Lebanese, and Southern French producers gives it a personality most restaurants with three times the selection can't claim. If you're in the mood to drink something you haven't tried before without getting lectured about it, this list holds up.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Kitty Dare is punching well above its weight for an Atlanta restaurant wine list — fair prices, genuinely adventurous selections, and the rare willingness to pour all of it by the glass. We don't have visibility into service or food specifics, but the list alone is worth coming for. If you want a Lebanese white from 70-year-old vines for $13/glass, this is your place.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
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.
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