Columbia's Surprising Wine Detour Worth Taking
· Columbia · Wine & whiskey bar, small plates · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · October 5, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Magnolia's Whisky & Wine Bar’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
A whisky bar with a wine list in Columbia, Missouri — that's either a recipe for neglect or a pleasant surprise. Magnolia's lands closer to the latter. Twenty-seven labels isn't enormous, but the range signals that someone here actually cares about what's in the bottle.
The list spans a solid arc from Alsatian-adjacent whites to California reds, with some genuinely interesting detours along the way. Dr. Loosen's Dr. L Riesling and Pieropan Soave Classico suggest a curator who looks beyond the obvious, while the inclusion of Loveblock TEE Organic Sauvignon Blanc and Lubanzi Chenin Blanc hints at some sustainability-minded thinking. On the red side, the Pozzan Russian River Pinot Noir and Orlegide Luberri Rioja give you two very different stylistic directions without forcing you into the predictable Cab corner. The gaps are real — no dedicated sparkling section beyond a house brut and a sparkling rosé, and the red depth thins out quickly — but for a whisky-first bar, this is a notably considered effort.
By-the-glass options aren't specified in the available data, so we can't confirm what's pouring by the stem on any given night. Given the list size of 27 labels, a reasonable glass program likely exists, but we'd recommend asking the staff directly what's open before committing.
The Bottom Line
Magnolia's earns the Wild Card badge because nobody expects a whisky-forward bar in mid-Missouri to stock Pieropan Soave and a Luberri Rioja. The list is compact but has genuine range, and it's the kind of place that rewards a curious drinker willing to look past the bourbon shelves. If you're in Columbia and want a glass of something more interesting than the usual suspects, Magnolia's is worth the stop.
Downtown · Columbia · Wine Bar & Bistro
Cherry Street Cellar is doing something genuinely uncommon for Columbia — an Old World-focused wine program in a space that actually feels like it belongs in a bigger city. We'd send a curious friend here on a Tuesday at 5:59 p.m. without hesitation.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown / Alley A · Columbia · European beer garden and café
Günter Hans is a fantastic spot for beer, waffles, and atmosphere — the wine list is an afterthought wearing a Canyon Road uniform. Order a craft beer, enjoy every minute of the pretzel, and come back when they decide wine deserves the same love as everything else on the menu.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Near Campus · Columbia · American Sports Bar
Campus Bar & Grill is a great place to watch a Mizzou game and drink a beer — and that's exactly what you should do. The wine program is an afterthought from a restaurant that has no interest in wine, and we respect the honesty of that even as we wave you toward the tap list.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
South Columbia · Columbia · Upscale globally influenced cuisine with Italian-inspired fare, seafood, pasta, steak, and gourmet pizzas
Sophia's is doing more with wine than almost anywhere else in Columbia, and we'd happily send a friend here — with a warning to navigate carefully around the commodity wines and go straight for the reserve list. The ambition is real; the markup discipline just hasn't caught up yet.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Columbia · Columbia · New American
Sycamore is doing something genuinely unusual in Columbia: running a tight, thoughtful wine list with real producers and fair prices, backed by someone on staff who knows what they're talking about. Come on a Wednesday and it's a no-brainer.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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