Napa's backyard table, wine list included
Napa · American, Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed April 10, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Olive & Hay’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You're sitting inside a resort in Napa Valley — the Meritage Resort, specifically — and the wine list arrives feeling exactly like that: polished, California-forward, and playing to expectations. It's not trying to surprise you, but it's not embarrassing itself either. The casual-meets-refined room sets the tone for a list that lands somewhere between hotel convenience and genuine regional effort.
The list runs 150-250 bottles and leans hard into its zip code, which makes sense when your backyard is Napa Valley Cabernet country. You'll find the expected California heavyweights — Napa Cab, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California Chardonnay — alongside a thoughtful nod to the Italian-American menu with Sangiovese and Nebbiolo making appearances. The Italian varietal inclusion is a smart move that elevates this above a straight resort wine list, showing at least some intention behind the curation. Gaps show up when you push beyond California and Italy — don't come here expecting a serious Burgundy or Rhône hunt.
With 12-20 glass pours available, there's enough to work with across a meal without feeling boxed in. The by-the-glass program skews predictably California, which honestly isn't a complaint when you're physically in Napa. What we'd want to see is more rotation and a glass-pour entry point into the Italian side of the list — if Sangiovese is on the bottle list, it should be on the glass list too.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir — $60
In a list that could easily overprice its way through Napa Cab all night, a well-sourced Sonoma Coast Pinot sitting in the $40-$70 range gives you genuine terroir-driven drinking without the Napa tax. It's the move if you're not committed to going full Cabernet.
Nebbiolo
Most tables here will never look past the Cabernet section, which means the Nebbiolo is sitting quietly on this list waiting for someone to find it. In a room full of Napa weight, an Italian Nebbiolo brings structure and grip that actually works with the food — and it's not priced like it has a Barolo pedigree.
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
The marquee Napa Cabs are going to command top dollar here, and resort markup in wine country is a real phenomenon. You're paying for the address as much as what's in the glass. If you're splurging on Napa Cab, you're better off at a producer tasting room down the road where your money actually goes somewhere interesting.
Sangiovese + House-made pasta with tomato and herb
Sangiovese and tomato-based Italian-American dishes are one of the most reliable combinations in the book — the wine's natural acidity cuts through the richness and mirrors the herbaceous notes in the sauce. It's the kind of pairing that makes the Italian section of this wine list feel intentional rather than decorative.
The Bottom Line
Olive & Hay is a solid resort wine list that earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence without doing anything flashy — California coverage is strong, the Italian varietal nods add character, and the pricing stays within reason on the right picks. Send a friend here if they want to drink well in Napa without doing homework first.
Yountville · Napa · New American
Redd checks the boxes a serious Napa dining room should: sommelier on staff, a regional identity that makes geographic sense, and a kitchen putting out dishes like Sonoma lamb loin and cold foie gras that deserve a proper bottle alongside them. We don't have enough verified wine list detail to point you at specific picks — and we won't fake it — so go in ready to lean on the floor staff and budget for Napa-level markups. If you're here for a special occasion, the infrastructure to drink well exists; just bring questions and a flexible budget.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
St. Helena · Napa · Wine Bar
Elsewhere is doing something genuinely useful in St. Helena — keeping the lights on after dinner and keeping the list interesting enough to justify the detour. We need more time with the actual list before we'd call it a must, but the bones are right.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Napa Valley · Napa · Hotel Restaurant / New American
The Elene is doing something genuinely uncommon for a Napa hotel restaurant: it's built a wine list with a real perspective. Pricing is fair, the whites and sparkling section is worth the visit on its own, and if you're tired of being handed the same Napa Cab lineup every time you sit down, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Napa Valley · Napa · Hotel Bar / Lounge
In the heart of Napa Valley, this hotel lounge has assembled a seven-bottle list with zero local wines and markups that would make a Vegas pool bar blush — order a cocktail and wait until dinner. There are better places to drink wine within walking distance of almost anywhere in this region.
Plays It Safe
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
St. Helena · Napa · Resort Restaurant / Contemporary American
Meadowood's wine program is doing exactly what it should at this price point — a focused, deeply intelligent list with real range and the staff to back it up. The markups are steep because the room is expensive, but if you're already here, drink well and don't second-guess it.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Napa · Wine Bar / Contemporary American
Napa Kitchen & Wine earns its place as a solid, unfussy option for anyone who wants a wide glass selection and fair pricing without committing to a bottle — just don't come here expecting to discover anything. It's a reliable pour, not a destination.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Nolita · New York · American, Italian
If you want to spend carefully, look at the Bisol Prosecco at 68 or the Moreau-Naudet Chablis at 162 with the clam linguini. Treat the list as undated and confirm availability and prices. The site also says you may bring your own wine for a corkage fee of $110 per 750ml bottle. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or retail markups.
Austin · Austin · American, Italian
Sammie's is a genuinely fun room with a wine list that's earned its Wine Spectator hardware — the Italian depth is real, the sommelier knows her stuff, and Monday half-price bottles might be the best deal in Austin. Just go in knowing the markups lean steep, and let Jenny point you toward the plays that aren't on the tourist track.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Las Vegas Strip · Las Vegas · American, Italian
Alexxa's is a Strip restaurant doing Strip things — great location, recognizable bottles, pricing that reflects the real estate. If you're here for fountain views and a glass of Cakebread, you'll be genuinely happy; if you're hunting for value or adventure, look elsewhere.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
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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