Latin-leaning list that earns its keep
· Fort Wayne · Latin / New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · August 18, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Proximo’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Fifteen bottles, all available by the glass — that's a straightforward move that tells you exactly what kind of wine program this is. No pretense, no deep cellar, just a tidy list designed to keep the table happy while the kitchen does its thing. For Fort Wayne, it's more than serviceable.
The list leans global in a way that actually suits the Latin-American menu — you've got Argentine Malbec from Doña Paula, a Chilean Veramonte Cab, Alpataco Pinot Noir, and Campo Viejo Garnacha from Spain alongside American staples like Quilt and OZV Zinfandel. The Andeluna Torrontés is a smart call for a restaurant with Latin roots, since Torrontés is criminally underordered in the Midwest. On the white side it's predictable Chardonnay territory (Hahn, Black Stallion), but the Dr. Loosen Riesling and Domaine Bousquet Rosé add a little personality. Nothing here is going to make a wine nerd swoon, but the picks are coherent and the prices are honest.
The entire list is available by the glass, which means 15 options at $9–$18 — respectable range for a mid-size market. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority; this feels like a set-it-and-forget-it program rather than something that gets refreshed seasonally. Still, having Dr. Loosen and Domaine Bousquet in the pour lineup gives you real choices beyond the usual suspects.
Santa Alicia Merlot — $31
Cheapest bottle on the list and it's a solid Chilean Merlot — not a grocery store throwaway. At $31, you're getting a drinkable, fruit-forward red without feeling like you're paying a restaurant tax. Easy call if you're splitting a second bottle.
Andeluna Torrontés
Most people glance at this and move on — they shouldn't. Torrontés from Argentina is floral, aromatic, and refreshing in a way that cuts through spiced Latin dishes. At $38 it's barely marked up, and nobody at the table is going to be bored by it.
Black Stallion Chardonnay
At $64 it's nearly double the price of most bottles on this list, and it's a Napa Chardonnay that coasts on brand recognition. You're paying for the name, not the glass.
Doña Paula Malbec + Latin-style braised or grilled beef
Doña Paula Malbec is built for exactly this — dark fruit, firm structure, and enough weight to hold up against boldly seasoned red meat. It's a natural fit for the kitchen's Latin-American direction.
The Bottom Line
Proximo isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the list is priced fairly, the picks are coherent, and the Torrontés alone is worth a detour. Send a friend here with confidence — just steer them away from the Black Stallion.
· Fort Wayne · New American / Taco Gastropub
The Hoppy Gnome is a beer bar, and you should drink the beer. If someone at the table insists on wine, the Prosecco or the sangria will get you through the night — just don't expect anything more than that.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown-adjacent / Near West · Fort Wayne · Italian market and deli
Antonuccio's isn't a restaurant wine program — it's something more interesting: a genuine Italian market where you can eat well and leave with better bottles than most Fort Wayne restaurants will ever pour you. Come for lunch, leave with a Chianti, zero regrets.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Northwest (Jefferson Pointe / Illinois Rd corridor) · Fort Wayne · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's Fort Wayne is a reliably well-run steakhouse wine program — proper storage, real glassware, a sommelier on the floor, and enough pours by the glass to satisfy a full table. The list won't challenge you, and the markups will sting, but if you want a classic California Cab with your prime beef and you want it done right, this place delivers.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Jefferson Pointe · Fort Wayne · American – Gourmet Burgers & Pub Fare
BRU Burger Bar is genuinely great at what it does — burgers, fries, a cold beer. The wine list exists as an afterthought for guests who don't drink beer, and it should be treated accordingly. Order a craft draft, save the wine for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jefferson Pointe / West Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne · Asian Fusion
Nawa is a fine place to eat; the wine list won't embarrass anyone, but it won't excite them either. Grab the Amarone or the Broquel Malbec, ignore the celebrity bottles, and let the food do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / West Central · Fort Wayne · American Tavern / Bar Food
Henry's is a bar that happens to take its wine list seriously enough to matter, and the Wednesday half-price deal is the kind of thing you should have already texted your friends about. Don't overthink it — show up, order the Belleruche, and feel good about your Wednesday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
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