Nanas
Raleigh's Old Guard Still Has Game
Wade Avenue · Raleigh · American Fine Dining · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 20, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You open the wine list at Nanas and immediately understand you're not at some trend-chasing newcomer. Two hundred and fifty-plus labels anchored by serious Champagne, Italian whites, and California heavyweights — this list has been curated by someone who actually cares. The range from a $40 Roederer Estate to a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti '16 tells you exactly what kind of room you're in.
Selection Deep Dive
The list covers real ground — Champagne, Franciacorta, Italian whites from Gavi and Greco di Tufo, Oregon, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, and California all show up with purpose. It's not just Cabernet and Chardonnay filler; there's genuine curiosity here, with producers like Girlan representing Alto Adige and Mastroberardino bringing southern Italian depth that most Raleigh restaurants wouldn't bother with. The ceiling is legitimately high — Opus One '18 and DRC '16 sit at the top of the cellar — but the list doesn't abandon the midrange to get there. Gaps exist in natural wine and anything particularly adventurous, but for a fine-dining institution of this age, that's mostly by design.
By the Glass
Thirteen-plus pours by the glass running $11 to $22 is a solid spread for a room like this. You're not going to find cutting-edge pours or a constantly rotating slate, but what's there is well-chosen and priced honestly relative to the bottle list. It won't win a by-the-glass competition, but it won't embarrass you either.
Roederer Estate Brut MV — $40
Forty dollars for Roederer Estate on a restaurant list is genuinely fair — retail sits around $25, so the markup is moderate and the quality-to-price ratio holds up. It's Anderson Valley Champagne-method sparkling that drinks well above its price point, and it's the move before any dish on this menu.
Mastroberardino Greco di Tufo Nova Serra 2004
Most tables here are reaching for the Rombauer or heading straight to Burgundy, which means this southern Italian white from Campania gets overlooked. Greco di Tufo has real texture and a mineral backbone that holds up against richer dishes — and at $38 it's one of the more interesting bottles on the list.
Veuve Clicquot Brut MV
At $81, you're paying a 62% markup on a bottle you can grab at Total Wine for $50. It's fine Champagne, but Roederer Estate is sitting right there on the same list for $40 and it's a better drink. Veuve at this price is just brand recognition tax.
Ca del Bosco Brut Franciacorta + Pan-seared duck breast
Franciacorta's fine bubbles and bright acidity cut through duck fat without fighting the richness, and Ca del Bosco specifically has enough body to stay in the conversation alongside the sear. It's the kind of pairing that makes the table go quiet for a moment.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Nanas is a Raleigh institution that earns its reputation on the wine side — deep list, fair markups, and a sommelier on the floor who actually knows what's on it. It's not the most adventurous program in town, but it's one of the most reliable, and that counts for a lot when you're spending real money on dinner.
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