Solid Mountain Town Wine Program, Nothing Fancy
Downtown Asheville · Asheville · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 21, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Red Stag Grill’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Red Stag Grill feels like what you'd expect from an established Asheville spot: dependable without trying to reinvent the wheel. It's the kind of list where you won't find much to complain about, but you also won't be texting your wine-nerd friends about hidden gems.
The selection leans heavily on West Coast staples—think California Cabs and Washington State reds that appeal to tourists looking for something familiar after a day hiking the Blue Ridge. There's a respectable showing of French standards, probably a Côtes du Rhône and a Burgundy or two in the mid-range, but nothing that suggests a buyer with strong opinions. The list plays it safe with recognizable labels, which isn't a crime in a town where visitors outnumber locals on most nights. We'd guess around 40-50 bottles total, skewing toward reds that pair well with steaks and game.
By-the-glass pours appear to be straightforward crowd-pleasers—maybe 8-10 options covering the basics. You'll find your Pinot Grigio, your Malbec, possibly a domestic Chardonnay that's been on the list since 2019. Rotation seems slow, with bottles sticking around until they're empty rather than swapping seasonally.
J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon — $42
Reliable Paso Robles Cab that drinks well above its weight class and pairs with everything on a grill-focused menu
Domaine de la Mordorée Côtes du Rhône
If they've got this Southern Rhône on the list, it's criminally underordered—rich, spicy, and built for mountain weather
Any house Chardonnay over $40
These tend to be marked up aggressively for tourists who think price equals quality
Benton-Lane Pinot Noir + Grilled elk medallions or venison
Oregon Pinot has the earthiness and bright fruit to stand up to game meat without overwhelming delicate flavors
The Bottom Line
Red Stag Grill isn't going to blow your mind, but it's not trying to. If you're in Asheville for the mountains and want a decent bottle with dinner, you'll do just fine here—just don't expect adventure.
Downtown Asheville · Asheville · Farm to Table
The Blackbird is doing wine right in a town that's more known for craft beer — there's a real sommelier (Sarah Reder) behind this list and it shows. Send your wine-curious friends here without hesitation.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Asheville · Asheville · American
Vue 1913 is a reliable wine destination for guests who know what they like and want to drink it with a jaw-dropping view — just don't expect the list to push you anywhere new. Send your California Cab-loving friends here without hesitation; send your natural wine friends somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Grove Park · Asheville · Regional
Sunset Terrace isn't a wine destination — it's a destination where wine happens to be available and handled competently. Come for the mountains and the steak, order the Ridge or the Sonoma-Cutrer, and enjoy the fact that at least nobody's pouring you something terrible.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Asheville · Asheville · American, Farm to Table
Jargon is doing something real with wine in a neighborhood that doesn't demand it, and that's exactly why it deserves your attention. Send a friend here — just tell them to skip the Napa Cab and ask about the Minervois.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Asheville · Asheville · American
The Dining Room is genuinely worth the trip, and not just because of the mansion backdrop — the sommelier team is real, the cellar is serious, and Wednesday half-price wine night turns a splurge into a steal. Markups on the prestige bottles are steep, but the overall program earns its Best of Award of Excellence.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Asheville · Asheville · Middle Eastern
Jerusalem Garden Cafe does Middle Eastern food well, but the wine program is non-existent. Stick to the Turkish coffee or mint tea and save your wine budget for literally anywhere else in Asheville.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Red Flag
MIA
Set & Forget
Hot Mess
· Baltimore · American
Give the international and local sections a look before defaulting to Burgundy. Sula at $70 and Old Westminster at $90 offer different budget options. These are posted bottle prices, not guaranteed stock; confirm availability. This menu guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
· Key West · American
Caroline's Café is not a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — the identical pricing across all five house labels makes that abundantly clear. If you're in Key West looking for something interesting in your glass, keep walking; if you just need a cold pour of Chardonnay with your lunch and aren't asking questions, $8 gets you there without drama.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kerns · Portland · American
Noble Rot is the rare restaurant wine program that would hold up as a standalone wine bar — deep list, sharp staff, fair prices, and a view that makes the whole experience feel earned. Send your friends here. Send yourself here.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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