Game Day Crowd-Pleaser That Gets the Job Done
Notre Dame Campus · South Bend · Hotel / American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 8, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Rohr's’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Rohr's, the wine list feels exactly like the room: polished, dependable, and built to please the alumni crowd rolling in on a Saturday before kickoff. There's nothing on this list that will surprise you, and that's clearly by design. It's a hotel wine program doing hotel wine program things — safely, and at hotel wine program prices.
The list leans hard on California's greatest hits — J. Lohr Cab, La Crema Chard, Meiomi Pinot, Louis Martini — the kind of names that sell themselves because guests already recognize them from the grocery store. Italy gets a token appearance via Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which is fine but tells you everything about the ambition level here. There's no real depth, no interesting producers, no regional detours worth talking about. What you get is a functional list that won't confuse anyone and won't excite anyone either.
The by-the-glass program runs about 8-12 options and mirrors the bottle list in philosophy: recognizable names, broad appeal, zero risk-taking. Pours are priced in the $11-$17 range, which is standard hotel territory but starts to sting when the wines underneath the markup are mid-shelf California standbys. There's no visible rotation or seasonal curation happening here.
J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon — ~$40-$50/bottle
At the lower end of the bottle list, J. Lohr Seven Oaks is at least a well-made, consistent Paso Robles Cab that can handle the steak frites without embarrassing itself. It's not exciting, but at this price it's probably the least punishing way to order a bottle.
Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
Most people walk right past Louis Martini because the label feels dated, but this is a Sonoma Cab with real history behind it and decent structure. In a list this predictable, it's actually one of the more honest pours — old-school Napa/Sonoma character without the hype tax.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita is one of the most marked-up wines in American restaurants, full stop. You're paying a premium for a brand that peaked in the '90s, and the wine itself is light to the point of forgettable. Order something else.
La Crema Chardonnay + Rohr's Fried Chicken
La Crema's Sonoma Coast Chard has enough acidity and restrained oak to cut through the richness of fried chicken without going full butter-bomb. It's a crowd-pleasing match that actually makes sense — and probably the most fun you'll have with this wine list.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Rohr's is a reliable pour for Notre Dame visitors who want something drinkable without a lot of deliberation — just don't expect the wine list to be the reason you come back. Order the J. Lohr, watch the game, and call it a win.
Mishawaka · South Bend · Casual Seafood and Grill
Bonefish Grill Mishawaka isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — and at $6–$9 a glass with recognizable, well-stored bottles, it earns its place as a reliable option when you just want a decent pour with your salmon. Send your friends here knowing the wine won't disappoint, even if it won't surprise anyone either.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North side / Tippecanoe area · South Bend · American
Tippecanoe Place is a beautiful room with a wine list that plays it very, very safe — fine for a anniversary dinner where the ambiance is doing most of the work, but don't come here expecting the wine to match the architecture. Order the Jordan, enjoy the mansion, and leave the exploration for another night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Near Downtown South Bend · South Bend · Italian / Italian American
Sunny Italy Cafe is a genuinely beloved South Bend institution — the food has the history and the heart. The wine list, unfortunately, is just along for the ride. Order the pasta, drink the Montepulciano, and don't expect much more than that.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Bend · South Bend · Casino Dining / American Steakhouse
Four Winds Copper Rock has built a wine list that punches well above what any casino in this zip code needs to — 450 bottles is real, and the anchoring producers are crowd-pleasing for a reason. The markups are casino-predictable and the program lacks the staff depth and rotating energy to reach its potential, but if you're eating steak in South Bend tonight, this is where you want to be drinking.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Bend · South Bend · French / Bistro
Brasserie 23 is the kind of place that makes you do a double-take when you remember you're in South Bend, Indiana. Come on a Wednesday for 23% off bottles, order the lamb, and let someone talk you into the Brunello.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Near Notre Dame / South Bend · South Bend · Pizza / Italian / Sandwiches
Barnaby's is a genuinely beloved local pizza spot and nobody goes there for the wine — nor should they. Come for the pizza, grab a beer, and let the wine list quietly do its worst in the corner.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.