Margaritas Yes, Wine List Not So Much
West Duluth · Duluth · Mexican · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 12, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Margarita's Bar & Grill’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Margarita's is exactly what you'd expect from a lively West Duluth Mexican bar and grill — it exists, and that's about the nicest thing we can say about it. Seven labels, all the usual suspects, no surprises. The real action here is clearly in the margarita department, and honestly, that's fine.
The list runs through the generic varietal checklist: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Grigio. No producers are named anywhere we could find, no regions called out, no story being told. This is wine as a box to tick, not a program someone built with intention. There are no bottles that would make a wine-curious diner do a double take — for better or worse.
All seven wines are available by the glass at $8 a pop, which is at least consistent and easy to navigate. There's no rotation, no seasonal swap-in, no attempt to keep things interesting — what's listed is what's listed, full stop. At $8 a glass in Duluth, the pricing is fair enough that you won't feel burned, just underwhelmed.
Riesling — $8
If you're eating tacos or anything with chile heat, Riesling is the one glass on this list doing actual food-pairing work. At $8, it's the most purposeful pour they offer.
Sauvignon Blanc
Most people here are ordering Cabs and Merlots out of habit. The Sauvignon Blanc is the better call with the lighter menu items — it at least has a shot at cutting through the acidity in the salsa verde.
Merlot
An unnamed Merlot at a Mexican restaurant is a swing that almost never connects. Without a producer or region attached, there's no reason to believe this is anything other than bulk wine in a stem. Order the margarita.
Riesling + Fajitas
The char and spice from the fajita plate needs something with a little sweetness and acidity to hold up — Riesling is the only wine on this list built for that job.
The Bottom Line
Margarita's is a genuinely fun neighborhood spot, but the wine list is an afterthought dressed up as a decision. Come for the fajitas and the cocktails — if you must have wine, grab the Riesling and move on.
Downtown · Duluth · Italian-American and Pizza
Sammy's is a Duluth institution and the pizza earns its reputation — the wine list is just not the point, and the restaurant isn't pretending otherwise. Order a beer or grab the cheapest glass pour, eat the pizza, and be happy.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Duluth · Duluth · American, bar & grill
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Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grandma's Miller Hill is a beloved Duluth institution, but the wine list has never been the reason to show up — and with the location closing in May 2026, it's not getting better. Order a beer, enjoy the nostalgia, and save the wine for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Boat Club is a reliable wine room for Duluth — a sommelier on staff, a genuinely broad glass pour program, and a Monday half-price bottle deal that should be on every local's calendar. The markups keep it from being a Rager, but if you play the specials and lean into the European selections, you'll drink well with a great view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
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Mi Cocina McKinney put exactly zero thought into their wine program, and it shows in every predictable bottle on that nine-label list. Order a margarita and don't look back.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Cantina Los Mayas has built something genuinely rare: an all-Mexican wine list with real depth, fair prices, and the conviction to stick to it. If you care even a little about discovering what Mexican wine actually tastes like, this is the place to do it.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Tucson · Mexican
Boca is clearly a tequila and cocktail destination first, and the wine program reflects that — it's an obligation, not a passion. Come for the tacos and the agave spirits, and leave the wine glass at home.
Grocery Store
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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