Wine Wednesday saves this waterfront list
Downtown Riverfront/Marina · Wilmington · Seafood / American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 15, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You're sitting on the Cape Fear riverfront, the breeze is coming off the water, and the wine list lands in front of you — it's short, it's safe, and it leans hard into California crowd-pleasers. Nothing here is going to surprise you, but on a Wednesday, none of that matters quite as much.
The list runs 20 to 35 bottles and doesn't stray far from the comfort zone: California and Pacific Northwest staples dominate, which is fine for a casual waterfront spot but leaves zero room for discovery. Think Meiomi Pinot Noir country — recognizable labels that sell themselves without any help from the staff. There's no real regional adventure here, no Willamette Valley deep cuts, no coastal whites from somewhere interesting to match the water view. What you get is a dependable, if forgettable, set of options that most tables won't argue with.
Eight to twelve pours by the glass is a reasonable spread for a spot this size, and the range likely covers the basics — house whites, a Chard, a Cab, a Pinot, maybe a Sauvignon Blanc. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority; this feels like a set-and-forget glass program that moves enough volume to stay fresh but isn't being curated with any intention.
Meiomi Pinot Noir (bottle, Wine Wednesday) — $17
At half off on Wine Wednesdays, the Meiomi bottle drops to around $17 — basically retail. It's not a complex wine, but at that price on a river patio, it absolutely gets the job done.
Mid-tier California Chardonnay (bottle)
At $38 on the regular list it's a tough sell, but if you're splitting a bottle on Wine Wednesday it comes down to the high teens — and a California Chard at that price point with loaded tuna nachos in front of you is genuinely a good time.
House Cabernet Sauvignon (by the glass)
At $8 a glass for something that retails around $11 a bottle, you're paying a 445% markup for wine that nobody is excited to drink. Skip it on any day that isn't Wednesday.
Mid-tier Sauvignon Blanc (by the glass) + Loaded Tuna Nachos
The bright acidity and citrus cut of a New Zealand-style Sauvignon Blanc works hard against the richness of the tuna nachos — it keeps things fresh and doesn't let the dish get heavy on you.
Wednesday — Wine Wednesday: half off select wine glasses and bottles all day.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Marina Grill is a perfectly solid spot to drink wine if you show up on a Wednesday and let the half-price deal do the heavy lifting. Any other night, the markups are hard to justify when the list is this unambitious.
Lumina Station · Wilmington · Upscale American / New American with Seafood and Steaks
Port Land Grille is a dependable wine program for a dependable upscale dinner — it won't wow you, but it won't let you down either. If you're in Lumina Station and want a solid glass with a serious steak, you're in the right place.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Murrayville/Market Street · Wilmington · Modern American / Southern Comfort
JohnnyLukes is a solid neighborhood spot that happens to have a wine list, not a wine destination that happens to serve food — and that's fine. Show up on a Wednesday, grab the Sea Sun or the Il Masso at half price, and pair it with the crab cake. You'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Riverfront · Wilmington · Southern comfort and New Orleans-inspired American
Rooster & The Crow is doing real things in the kitchen, but the wine list is an afterthought dressed up with familiar labels and steep markups. Order a cocktail, or bring your own if corkage is an option — this list isn't the reason to come.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Riverfront · Wilmington · Upscale Italian
Floriana isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine — it's trying to be a great Italian restaurant with a wine list that doesn't let the food down. For a date night in Wilmington, it delivers exactly that.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Second Street · Wilmington · Italian (Abruzzese-inspired, house-made pasta)
Tarantelli's wine list is a solid, Italy-focused companion to food that deserves it — fair prices, logical pours, and no real duds. It won't blow your mind, but it'll make your Osso Buco taste better, and that's the whole job.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Wilmington · Wilmington · Italian, Steakhouse
Bardea Steak is a legitimate wine destination for Delaware, even if the pricing leans toward the steep side and the staff isn't quite sommelier-level. If you're eating a serious steak in Wilmington and want a serious wine list to match, this is your spot.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.