Salt Lake's Most Ambitious List, Nearly Delivered
Unknown · Salt Lake City · Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 31, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Rouser signals that someone here actually cares — there's a sommelier on staff, and the range runs from solid crowd-pleasers to genuinely interesting picks. It's a polished, grown-up list that doesn't feel like it was assembled by clicking 'add to cart' on a distributor sheet. The $56–$328 bottle range covers a lot of ground without being gratuitously expensive.
The list hits the expected regions — California, Oregon, France, Spain — but earns points for the specifics. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva '13 is a legitimately great Rioja that most restaurants wouldn't bother with, and Tablas Creek's Patelin de Tablas Blanc shows someone was paying attention in Paso Robles. The Henri Goutorbe Spécial Club Grand Cru '12 suggests real ambition on the Champagne side. Argyle Pinot Noir rounds out the Oregon representation credibly. The list could push further into old-world depth — Austria and New Zealand are noted as regions but specific bottles in those categories weren't surfaced, leaving some intrigue unfulfilled.
Twelve by-the-glass options at $15–$28 is a solid spread for Salt Lake City. The range appears to move between approachable entry points and some genuinely interesting mid-tier pours. We'd like to see more rotation signaling — there's no evidence of a seasonal BTG program, which means these pours risk going stale.
La Marca Prosecco NV — $15
At $15 a glass on a retail bottle that runs $13, the markup is nearly nonexistent — a rare case where the restaurant is practically giving it away. Perfect opening move before you commit to a bottle.
Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva '13
Most diners will scroll right past this and grab the Prisoner, which is a mistake. Tondonia Reserva from Lopez de Heredia is a classic, earthy, age-worthy Rioja from one of Spain's most storied producers — and the 2013 vintage is drinking beautifully right now. This is the kind of bottle that makes you feel like you found something.
Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut NV
At $28 a glass on a bottle that retails for $55, this is actually a rare undercharge — but it's still Moët. With a Henri Goutorbe Spécial Club '12 on the same list, there's no reason to default to the NV airport Champagne. Spend a little more, drink a lot better.
Tablas Creek Vineyards Patelin de Tablas Blanc '23 + Ask your server for the current white-friendly protein or seafood option
The Patelin Blanc is a Rhône-style white — Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Marsanne — with enough texture and aromatics to hold up to richer preparations. It's the kind of wine that makes whatever's on the plate taste more intentional.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Rouser is doing real work on its wine program in a city where that's still not a given. The Lopez de Heredia and Goutorbe alone are worth a visit — yes, we'd send a friend here for wine.
Sugar House · Salt Lake City · Steakhouse and Seafood with Scandinavian/European Influences
Kimi's earns its reputation as one of Salt Lake City's better nights out, and the wine program has real bones — a sommelier, a thoughtful Italian-leaning list, and proper glassware. Just go in knowing the markups are aggressive on the bubbles, anchor yourself to the Riesling if you're watching the spend, and let the room do the rest of the work.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
9th & 9th · Salt Lake City · Middle Eastern
Mazza isn't a wine destination, but it's doing something genuinely interesting by building a list around Lebanese producers that actually belong on the table with this food. If you're in Salt Lake City and want to drink something you won't find anywhere else in town, this is worth a detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Japanese and Sushi
Takashi is a great restaurant with a wine list that's just along for the ride — functional, safe, and a little overpriced relative to what you get. Go for the sushi, order the Cloudy Bay or the Oregon Pinot, and don't expect the wine program to keep pace with the kitchen.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Seafood and Raw Bar
Market Street Oyster Bar is a reliable spot for wine if you calibrate your expectations accordingly — this is a crowd-pleaser list built for a crowd-pleaser room, and it mostly delivers. Send a friend here for oysters and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, not for a wine education.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cottonwood Heights · Salt Lake City · Seafood and Steakhouse
Market Street Grill Cottonwood is a dependable neighborhood anchor with a wine list that does exactly what it needs to — nothing more. Send a friend here for the oysters and the Sonoma-Cutrer; just don't send them expecting to discover anything new.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Salt Lake City · Seafood and Steakhouse
Market Street Grill is a solid, dependable restaurant that deserves a more adventurous wine list — the oyster program alone could support something far more interesting than what's here. Come for the seafood, order the Sonoma-Cutrer, and don't spend too much time staring at the bottle list hoping it changes.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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
La Jolla · Chula Vista · Contemporary American
Nine-Ten is a genuinely good restaurant with a competent wine program — the sommelier is present, the list is legitimate, and the setting earns the price of admission. But the markups are aggressive enough that you'll want to be selective, because this list can eat your wallet if you reach for the obvious names.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Winston Salem · Contemporary American
Sir Winston is the rare hotel restaurant that makes a real effort on wine, and for Winston-Salem, that counts for a lot. Pricing runs steep enough that you'll feel it by the second bottle, but the selection earns at least one visit from anyone who takes wine seriously.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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