Old Duluth Soul, Surprisingly Decent Pours
Downtown Waterfront · Duluth · Steakhouse / Pub Food · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 12, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Pickwick Restaurant & Pub’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Pickwick feels like stepping into a Duluth institution — wood paneling, a century of history, and a wine list that actually has some thought behind it. For a pub-steakhouse hybrid on the shores of Lake Superior, the fact that there's a sommelier on staff immediately sets expectations higher than the average lakeside burger joint. The list isn't massive, but it's curated with enough international range to show someone cares.
The list leans international in a way that feels deliberate rather than accidental — Spain shows up prominently with bottles like the Pinuaga Tempranillo and the Cucu Verdejo, and there's a genuine nod to Basque country with the Urkatx Blanco, which you'd rarely find in northern Minnesota. New Zealand gets its due with the Babich Sauvignon Blanc, a reliable crowd anchor that earns its place. The 40-70 label range is right-sized for the venue — deep enough to reward exploration, tight enough to avoid the padded-list trap where bottles just collect dust. Gaps exist, particularly in Burgundy and anything aged, but this isn't that kind of room.
The by-the-glass program runs around 10-16 options in the $10-$16 range, which is reasonable for a downtown Duluth steakhouse without being a steal. The Kivelstadt Twice Removed Rosé and the Akilla Rosé both making appearances on glass pours signals someone is paying attention to what's interesting, not just what's easy to sell. Rotation appears occasional rather than aggressive, so don't expect a dramatically different card season to season.
Pinuaga Tempranillo — $35–$45
Spanish Tempranillo at steakhouse-friendly pricing is exactly the move here — it's a natural fit with chargrilled beef, and Pinuaga over-delivers for the category. If this is sitting at the lower end of their bottle range, it's the clearest value on the list.
Urkatx Blanco
A Basque white in Duluth, Minnesota is genuinely unexpected. Most tables will walk right past it and order something safe, which is a mistake — txakoli-adjacent whites from the Basque coast are bright, saline, and built for food. If you're not ordering a steak, this is the most interesting bottle on the list.
Babich Sauvignon Blanc
Nothing wrong with Babich — it's a competent, well-made New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc — but it's also available at basically every grocery store in America. You can do better with the same budget by moving one shelf over on this list.
Pinuaga Tempranillo + Chargrilled Steak
This is the obvious call and it's obvious for a reason. Tempranillo's earthy, dark-fruit profile and natural acidity cut through the char and fat on a grilled steak in a way that California Cab often oversells. Same synergy, lower price tag.
The Bottom Line
Pickwick isn't a wine destination, but it's a reliable, honest list in a landmark room — and with a sommelier on staff, you're in better hands than most places its size in northern Minnesota. Come for the steaks, stay curious about what's on that list.
· Duluth · Brewpub
Lake Superior Brewing has no business having a wine list this interesting, and we mean that as a full compliment. If you're in Duluth and you want to drink wine somewhere that actually thought about it, this brewpub is the surprising answer.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Duluth · Cocktail Bar
This is a cocktail bar that slipped a legitimately interesting nine-bottle wine list into the corner without making a big deal about it — and we respect the quiet confidence. Don't come here for a deep cellar experience, but do come here knowing you have real options beyond the well liquor.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Duluth · Italian
Va Bene is presumably doing something right in the kitchen, but the wine list is a two-item afterthought that tells you this place doesn't take wine seriously. Order a glass, enjoy your pasta, and don't expect anything more.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Duluth · European / Hotel Restaurant
Midi is doing more with 38 labels than most hotel restaurants do with 80. The aromatic white selection alone makes it worth a serious look, and the pricing won't leave you feeling robbed on the way out.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
Canal Park · Duluth · American, Bar, Pizza
Old Chicago Duluth isn't a wine destination and doesn't pretend to be — it's a reliable fallback for the table member who wants a glass of something decent while everyone else works through the tap list. If you stick to the Ste. Michelle Riesling, you'll leave satisfied; just don't come here expecting anything that will make you put down your pizza.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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