Wine Spectator hardware and the list to back it up
Alpharetta · Atlanta · Steakhouse / Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed February 22, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You do not earn a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence by accident. Ray's at Killer Creek carries the 2025 hardware and the cellar depth to justify it. The list is a sprawling, serious document that signals immediately — this kitchen takes wine as seriously as its steaks and seafood.
The list reads like a greatest-hits tour of California and beyond. Caymus Cabernet, Jordan, Opus One, and Robert Mondavi Reserve anchor the top shelf. But look past the trophy bottles and you find smart mid-range picks too — Dr. Loosen Riesling for the white wine crowd, J. Lohr Falcon's Perch Chardonnay for value seekers, and Chateau Puy-Blanquet Saint-Émilion for Bordeaux fans who do not need a second mortgage. Louis M. Martini Zinfandel rounds out the American reds. This is a list that rewards browsing.
The by-the-glass program matches the depth of the full list. Multiple varietals across price points mean you can taste your way through the menu without committing to a bottle. The Oysters and Martinis Hour running Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 PM adds a social dimension — though the wine pours during happy hour are the real reason to show up early.
J. Lohr Falcon's Perch Chardonnay — $12/glass
A clean, unfussy California Chardonnay at a steakhouse price point that does not make you wince. Smart ordering for the table while you study the bottle list.
Chateau Puy-Blanquet Saint-Émilion
Right Bank Bordeaux from a reliable estate that flies under the radar next to the Caymus and Opus One. Merlot-driven, elegant, and a fraction of the big-name prices.
Opus One
We love Opus but the restaurant markup on a bottle that already starts north of $400 retail makes it a flex purchase, not a value play. The Jordan and Caymus deliver comparable experiences for far less.
Louis M. Martini Zinfandel + Prime Ribeye
Zinfandel's bold fruit and peppery finish are a natural match for a well-marbled ribeye. The Martini bottling has enough structure to handle the char without overwhelming the beef.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Ray's at Killer Creek is the wine destination in Alpharetta. Wine Spectator agrees and so do we. Come for the seafood tower, stay because you just found a 2016 Bordeaux at a price that makes you order a second bottle.
West Midtown · Atlanta · Alpine / European
Avize is doing something genuinely rare in Atlanta: building a short wine list with actual conviction, pointed straight at the corners of Europe that deserve more attention. If you eat here and don't order something you've never heard of, you're doing it wrong.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Contemporary American
By George is a fine place to drink wine if you know what you're walking into — a curated-but-safe list built for a stylish crowd that wants rosé and bubbles without friction. Come for the Crémant and the Tavel; don't expect to find anything that'll make you rethink your relationship with wine.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Gastropub / Rooftop
Nine Mile Station isn't a destination for wine nerds, but it's a perfectly decent place to drink something cold and recognizable while the Atlanta skyline does the heavy lifting. Come for the view, drink the Crémant, ignore the Rombauer.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Wine Bar
Vin Atl is doing something most Atlanta wine bars aren't: curating a short list with genuine intention instead of padding it with safe bets. At these prices, it's worth a stop even if you only come for one bottle.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Rooftop Bar / Small Plates
St. Julep is a place to drink wine, not a place to drink well. If you're here for the skyline and the scene, pour the rosé and enjoy it — just don't come expecting the list to surprise you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
BeltLine · Atlanta · Cocktail Bar with Kitchen
The James Room is a cocktail bar first and a wine destination never — but the list is competent enough to get you through a bottle without frustration. Come for the atmosphere, order the Cava or the Sancerre, and let the cocktail menu handle the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Greensboro · Steakhouse / Seafood
B. Christopher's is a dependable wine stop for a classic steakhouse experience — just go on a Wednesday when the bottle prices get cut in half and the math finally makes sense. If you're craving Caymus with a ribeye and an expense account, you'll be happy; if you want exploration, this isn't your room.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown / Mission Inn District · Riverside · Steakhouse / Seafood
Duane's is a beautiful room inside a landmark hotel, and it deserves a wine list as thoughtful as its surroundings — this isn't it. If you're here for a special occasion, budget accordingly, lean toward Champagne or Merlot, and don't let the leather binder convince you you're getting a deal.
Crowd Pleasers
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
Norcross · Atlanta · Steakhouse / Seafood
The Crossing delivers solid steaks and improving wine selections in a charming train-depot setting. Fair prices and an honest list earn it Reliable status, but stemless glasses and bar-top wine storage hold it back from its steakhouse ambitions. The food is worth the trip. The wine is worth ordering. The glassware is worth ignoring.
Solid Range
Fair
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Occasional
Hot Mess
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