British Columbia wines meet Michigan sushi nights
South Ann Arbor Β· Ann Arbor Β· Sushi / Japanese Β· Visit Website β
Reviewed July 4, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You open the wine list at a sushi spot in South Ann Arbor and find yourself staring at a lineup of British Columbia producers β not California, not France, not the usual suspects. It's a short list, just eight labels, but whoever built it was clearly paying attention to something other than convenience. That alone earns some respect.
The BC-heavy focus is genuinely unusual and, frankly, kind of great β Quails Gate, Blasted Church, Fort Berens, Cedar Creek, and Mission Hill all show up, covering Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, RosΓ©, Pinot Noir, and a Cab blend. The Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse is the wild card of the bunch, a field blend that most diners will walk right past without knowing what they're missing. New Zealand gets a token seat at the table via Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, which is fine but feels like the one concession to crowd-pleasing. The list is small β eight labels β but it has a clear point of view, and that counts for a lot.
Six of the eight bottles are available by the glass, ranging from $9 to $14, which means you can actually explore this list without committing to a full bottle. That's a smart move for a sushi dinner where you might want to switch gears between courses. The glass program covers the whites and rosΓ© well, though options for red drinkers are slim.
Fort Berens RosΓ© β $9/glass
BC RosΓ© from a producer that punches above its weight, at the lowest price on the list β it's the move for the sashimi course and a genuine steal compared to what you'd pay for far less interesting pours elsewhere.
Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse
A multi-variety field blend from Okanagan that most people skip because the name sounds like a bad action movie β don't. It's the most interesting wine on the list and exactly the kind of thing you won't find at the sushi spot across town.
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc
At $12 a glass it's not a rip-off, but it's also the one wine here you could find at any airport bar in the country. With this many better BC options on the same list, there's no reason to default to the familiar.
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Gris + Omakase sashimi
BC Pinot Gris has enough body to stand up to rich, fatty fish and enough acidity to keep things clean between bites β it's the white wine equivalent of a palate reset, and it makes the chef's sashimi selections shine.
π² The Bottom Line
Nagomi is the rare sushi spot that made an actual choice with its wine program instead of just phoning it in with grocery store staples β a focused BC lineup at fair prices is exactly the kind of unexpected that earns a second look. If you're curious about Canadian wine and want a low-stakes way to explore it, this is your spot.
Downtown / Campus Β· Ann Arbor Β· New American / Hotel Restaurant
Eve is a dependable, well-kept hotel wine list that earns its place as Ann Arbor's go-to for faculty dinners and anniversary meals β just don't come expecting to be surprised. Order the Merry Edwards, skip the Stag's Leap markup, and let someone else handle the tab.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Ann Arbor Β· Ann Arbor Β· Upscale-casual Italian
Bravo! is a chain doing chain things with its wine list β predictable, approachable, and not particularly exciting. But the markup is fairer than most chains, the by-the-glass range is functional, and if you show up on a Wednesday, $7 ProvenΓ§al rosΓ© on the patio is a genuinely good time.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Β· Ann Arbor Β· American Gastropub
The Ravens Club isn't a wine destination β it's a late-night Ann Arbor institution that happens to have a functional wine list. Show up on a Wednesday, order the Gruet for $6, and let the spirits program do its real job.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Β· Ann Arbor Β· Japanese-inspired ramen, noodle dishes, and izakaya-style small plates
Slurping Turtle is a genuinely fun spot to eat, and the ramen deserves your full attention β but the wine list is on cruise control and nobody seems to mind. Stick to a glass of Riesling or grab a beer, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that reciprocates it.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Β· Ann Arbor Β· Korean BBQ
Tomukun is a great place to eat Korean BBQ and drink soju with friends β the wine list is just not the reason to come here. Order the Riesling if you must, or do yourself a favor and let the soju do the work.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Β· Ann Arbor Β· Asian noodle bar featuring Korean, Japanese, and other East Asian dishes
Come to Tomukun for the ramen β come for the bibimbap β just don't come for the wine list. Order a beer, or lean into the plum wine and have some fun with it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East End Β· Portland Β· Sushi / Japanese
Mr. Tuna isn't a wine destination β it's a great sushi spot that happens to have two sensible, well-chosen bottles and a local can that makes the experience feel intentional. Come for the hand rolls, drink the Vinho Verde, and don't overthink it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Capitol Square Β· Madison Β· Sushi / Japanese
Red Sushi isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be β but the fortified and dessert options give it more credibility than most comparable spots downtown. Come for the sushi, stay for the Madeira.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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