Unpretentious Pours for a Burger Night
Grace Street · Wilmington · New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 11, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Rum Cow’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Rum Cow is first and foremost a cocktail bar that happens to have wine, and the list doesn't try to pretend otherwise. You get a tight, approachable selection that leans on familiar California and Pacific Northwest names — nothing that'll make you reach for a notebook, but nothing offensive either. It's the kind of list that works for the room.
The list runs 20-35 bottles and sticks close to the rails: California Chardonnay, New Zealand Sauv Blanc, a little Italy for good measure. The region spread nods toward France and the Pacific Northwest, but don't expect anything that strays far from what you'd find at a well-stocked grocery store. There are no deep cuts or regional oddities here — this is a wine program built for ease, not exploration. That said, it does the job without gouging you, which puts it ahead of plenty of comparable spots.
Six to ten options by the glass is a reasonable spread for a neighborhood bar of this size. The glass pours skew toward lighter, crowd-friendly styles — think crisp whites and easy-drinking reds that make sense alongside burgers and small plates. Don't expect a rotating program; what's on the list today is probably what was on the list six months ago.
Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand — $13
At just 38% over retail, this is the closest thing to a fair deal on the list. Bright, zippy, and completely at home with lighter small plates — you're not getting taken for a ride here.
Volio Emilia-Romagna
Most people at Rum Cow are ordering California or New Zealand without a second thought. The Volio from Emilia-Romagna is the one bottle that hints at a wider world — it's lightly priced, underordered, and a nice change of pace from the usual suspects.
Cambria Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley
A 150% markup on a $25 retail bottle is the steepest pour on the list. Cambria is perfectly decent wine, but at $10 a glass you can find better value elsewhere on the same menu.
Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand + Seasonal small plates
The high-acid, citrus-forward profile of the Crowded House cuts through lighter bites and herb-driven preparations without competing — it keeps things clean and refreshing across a spread of small plates.
The Bottom Line
Rum Cow isn't a wine destination and it knows it — but the markup is mostly honest and the list covers the bases without embarrassing itself. Come for the cocktails, stay for a decent glass if that's what the table needs.
Lumina Station · Wilmington · Upscale American / New American with Seafood and Steaks
Port Land Grille is a dependable wine program for a dependable upscale dinner — it won't wow you, but it won't let you down either. If you're in Lumina Station and want a solid glass with a serious steak, you're in the right place.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Murrayville/Market Street · Wilmington · Modern American / Southern Comfort
JohnnyLukes is a solid neighborhood spot that happens to have a wine list, not a wine destination that happens to serve food — and that's fine. Show up on a Wednesday, grab the Sea Sun or the Il Masso at half price, and pair it with the crab cake. You'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Riverfront/Marina · Wilmington · Seafood / American
Marina Grill is a perfectly solid spot to drink wine if you show up on a Wednesday and let the half-price deal do the heavy lifting. Any other night, the markups are hard to justify when the list is this unambitious.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Riverfront · Wilmington · Southern comfort and New Orleans-inspired American
Rooster & The Crow is doing real things in the kitchen, but the wine list is an afterthought dressed up with familiar labels and steep markups. Order a cocktail, or bring your own if corkage is an option — this list isn't the reason to come.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Riverfront · Wilmington · Upscale Italian
Floriana isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine — it's trying to be a great Italian restaurant with a wine list that doesn't let the food down. For a date night in Wilmington, it delivers exactly that.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Second Street · Wilmington · Italian (Abruzzese-inspired, house-made pasta)
Tarantelli's wine list is a solid, Italy-focused companion to food that deserves it — fair prices, logical pours, and no real duds. It won't blow your mind, but it'll make your Osso Buco taste better, and that's the whole job.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Round Rock · New American
Whiskey Cake Round Rock isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — the all-by-the-glass format keeps things approachable, the pricing is honest, and there are a couple of genuinely good pours hiding in a short list. If wine is your priority tonight, look elsewhere; if you're here for the vibe and want something decent in your glass, Chehalem and Altocedro have you covered.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbia · New American
Motor Supply Co. Bistro appears to put its energy into the kitchen, and that may be the right call — but three wines is not a wine program. Until this list gets a serious rethink, order a cocktail or call ahead to ask about corkage.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · New American
THREE isn't trying to be a wine destination, and the list makes that abundantly clear. If you're here for cocktails or the bar scene, you're probably in the right place — but if wine matters to you even a little, this four-item lineup isn't going to do much for you. Order the House Champagne at $5, accept the situation for what it is, and move on.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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