Pizza Night Sorted, Wine List Playing It Safe
Fort Collins · Fort Collins · New American, Wood-Fired Pizza & Seasonal Cuisine · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 1, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Nine bottles. That's the whole list. For a casual neighborhood spot downtown Fort Collins, that's not necessarily a death sentence — but it does mean you're not here to geek out on wine. What you see is what you get, and what you get is a greatest-hits compilation of grocery-aisle recognizables at prices that at least won't embarrass anyone.
The list leans heavily on California with a nod to Washington, Chile, and Australia — essentially a supermarket's international section with the price tags bumped up a notch. You've got Franciscan Cab, Calera Pinot, and Edna Valley Chard carrying the California flag, while 19 Crimes Shiraz and Casillero del Diablo Malbec round out the Southern Hemisphere presence. There's no old-world representation whatsoever — no French, no Italian, no Spanish — which is a real gap for a food-forward spot doing seasonal cuisine. The two Domaine Ste. Michelle sparkling options (Brut and Brut Rosé) are a genuinely smart call and probably the most interesting thing on the card.
Here's the thing — every single bottle on the list is also available by the glass, so the by-the-glass program is essentially the entire wine program. Pours run $8 to $14, which is reasonable for the Fort Collins market, and the happy hour house wine at $6 a glass from 3 to 5 daily is a legitimate reason to show up early. No rotation to speak of, and no evidence this list changes much season to season.
Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut — $9/glass, $36/bottle
Washington state bubbles from one of the country's most reliable sparkling producers at a price that makes sense. Order the bottle and feel like you're doing something right.
Calera Pinot Noir
Calera has been making serious Central Coast Pinot for decades and consistently punches above its price point. On a list full of mass-market names, this one actually has a story worth telling.
19 Crimes Shiraz
Heavily marketed, widely available, and built for brand recognition rather than actual drinking pleasure. At $8 a glass it's not a rip-off, but you can do better on this list for a couple dollars more.
Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut Rosé + Margherita Pizza
Sparkling rosé and wood-fired pizza is an underrated combination — the acidity cuts through the char, the bubbles lift the tomato, and you feel slightly more festive than the situation probably warrants.
Daily — Happy Hour runs 3–5 PM every day with house wine at $6/glass.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Restaurant 415 is a solid neighborhood dinner spot where the wine list does exactly what it needs to do without doing anything that would actually excite you. Come for the pizza and the happy hour pour, not for the bottle list.
Fort Collins · Fort Collins · Steakhouse
The Still is a genuinely fun spot for whiskey and red meat, but the wine list is a clear afterthought — overpriced grocery store bottles with no story to tell. Order a pour from their whiskey program and save the wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Fort Collins · Fort Collins · French-influenced bistro; seafood-focused
Bistro Nautile is a genuinely appealing restaurant let down by a wine list that plays it safe with familiar labels and then charges aggressively for the privilege. Drink by the glass, stick to the interesting outliers, and don't let the French bistro atmosphere talk you into a $68 bottle of Daou.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Fort Collins · Fort Collins · Southwestern
Coyote's isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — but the pricing is fair, the Wednesday deal is genuinely excellent, and there's nothing actively wrong here. Show up on a Wednesday, order a bottle of Pinot Grigio for $19.50, and focus on the burrito.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Fort Collins · Fort Collins · Casual Seafood Chain
Red Lobster isn't trying to be a wine destination and the list makes that abundantly clear — grab the Riesling, enjoy the biscuits, and don't come here expecting anything beyond the expected. If wine matters to your dinner, eat somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fort Collins · Fort Collins · Casual Italian-American chain
Olive Garden's wine list is a corporate afterthought — overpriced supermarket bottles with no rotation, no discovery, and no one behind the bar who's going to help you find something interesting. Order the Moscato, enjoy the breadsticks, and save your serious wine questions for literally anywhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Old Town · Fort Collins · Brewpub fare / American tavern food
CooperSmith's is a genuinely great Old Town brewpub, and if you're here for a pint of their award-winning craft beer, you're doing it right. The wine list exists because restaurants feel obligated to have one, not because anyone here cares about it — order a beer.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.