Mountain Town Markups, Some Solid Picks
Downtown Jackson · Jackson Hole · American / Southwestern · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed May 22, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Purple Sage lands squarely in mountain-town comfort zone — California and Pacific Northwest heavyweights, a few Argentinian and Spanish nods, and prices that remind you this is Jackson Hole, not Jackson, Mississippi. It's a list built for guests who know what they like and aren't shy about spending, which fits the room just fine.
The 40-70 bottle list leans hard on Napa Cabernet and Sonoma Pinot Noir, with recognizable names like Lail Vineyards, Kosta Browne, Shafer, and Quilceda Creek doing the heavy lifting. The Pacific Northwest makes a decent showing, and Argentina and Spain add just enough international texture to keep things from feeling completely tunnel-visioned. Don't come looking for Burgundy, Barolo, or anything remotely off the beaten path — this list was built to match elk tenderloin and bison without confusing anyone. The gaps are real, but the hits are crowd-pleasers executed well.
With 10-16 pours available, the by-the-glass program is one of the better aspects of this list — enough options to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The range likely mirrors the bottle list's California-forward identity, which means solid Chardonnay and Cabernet territory for the table. Rotation and quality control aren't confirmed, but the breadth suggests you'll find something that works.
Lail Vineyards Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 — $140
At 75% markup over a $80 retail bottle, this is actually the most restrained pricing on the list. Blueprint is a serious Napa Cab — structured, age-worthy, and built for a night out — and by Purple Sage standards, it's practically a bargain.
Beran Zinfandel 2017
Most tables will walk right past this for the Cabs and Pinots, but Zinfandel alongside elk or bison is a genuinely great move — the spice and dark fruit play off game meat better than almost anything else on the list. Yes, the markup stings at 133%, but the pairing upside makes it worth a second look.
Quilceda Creek CVR Red Wine 2018
At $160 on the menu against a $60 retail price, this is a 167% markup — the worst on the list. Quilceda is a fantastic producer, but you're paying three times what you should for the privilege of drinking it here. Save this one for a bottle shop.
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2019 + Purple Sage Trout
Sonoma Coast Pinot has the acidity and red-fruit brightness to lift a rich, pan-seared trout without steamrolling it. Kosta Browne brings enough weight to feel special at a $30-50 entree table, and this is the kind of pairing the list was quietly designed for.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Purple Sage is a dependable dinner option in a town that charges a premium for everything, and the wine list is exactly what you'd expect — familiar names, safe regions, and markups that will make your credit card flinch. Go in with eyes open, steer toward the Lail Blueprint, and enjoy it with something off the grill.
Jackson Town · Jackson Hole · Barbecue
Bubba's doesn't pretend to be a wine destination, and we respect the honesty — but the list is the definition of set-it-and-forget-it. Order a beer, enjoy the ribs, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that reciprocates.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Teton Village · Jackson Hole · Outdoor Bar
The Handle Bar is the kind of wine program that does exactly what it needs to do for its setting — no more, no less. You'll drink well here if you pick smart, but this isn't a destination for wine people so much as a very competent resort bar that happens to have Opus One on the list.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Jackson · Jackson Hole · Cafe / Bakery
Persephone isn't a wine destination, but it absolutely punches above its weight for what it is — a bakery-café with a genuinely thoughtful short list of natural pours at fair prices. If you're in Jackson and want a glass of something interesting without the steakhouse markup, this is your move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Town of Jackson · Jackson Hole · French-Inspired Bistro
The Bistro earns its stripes as a reliable wine destination in Jackson Hole — the sommelier influence is visible, the European focus is coherent, and the list has depth worth exploring. Just go in knowing the markups are hotel-resort territory, and steer toward the Old World bottles where the curation is strongest.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
East of Jackson · Jackson Hole · Steakhouse / Grill
The Grill at Spring Creek Ranch delivers a competent, crowd-pleasing wine list that matches the lodge aesthetic perfectly — reliable, a little expensive, and zero risk. If you're here for the views and the bison, you'll drink well enough; just don't come expecting the list to match the drama outside the window.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Town Square · Jackson Hole · Tapas / Wine Bar
Bin22 is the wine bar that has no business being this good in the middle of Wyoming ski country, and that's exactly why we're sending people here. If you're in Jackson Hole and you care about what's in your glass, this is the only address that matters.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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