Riverfront bubbles and classics, no surprises
Downtown · Sacramento · Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 22, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Scott's Seafood reads exactly like the restaurant looks — upscale-ish, riverfront, reliable. It leans hard into sparkling and California whites, which is the right instinct for a seafood spot, but there's not much here that makes you put down your fork and actually pay attention.
The list covers the expected bases: California, France, Italy, with a sparkling section that punches above its weight given the rest of the list. You've got Zonin Prosecco at the entry level all the way up to a 2016 Louis Roederer Cristal and Dom Pérignon for the special occasion crowd. The problem is the middle — the everyday drinking range feels thin and underdeveloped, with no real exploration of what's happening in Burgundy, the Loire, or even domestic producers outside Napa. For a riverfront seafood restaurant with $30-$50 entrees, we'd expect more interesting pours to anchor the meal.
Glass pours run $8.25 to $16.25, which is a reasonable spread but not particularly exciting. The by-the-glass program isn't publicly detailed beyond the price range, and given the list skews safe, we wouldn't expect much rotation or adventurous pours. You're likely looking at the usual California suspects — Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, maybe a Pinot Noir — without much to get excited about.
2021 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs — $33+
Schramsberg is one of California's best sparkling producers, and the Blanc de Blancs is a genuinely sharp wine — crisp, toasty, and built for seafood. Relative to the Champagne options on this list, it's the move that keeps money in your pocket without sacrificing quality.
Mumm Napa Brut Rosé
Most people walk past Napa sparkling rosé on a restaurant list, but Mumm Napa punches well for its price and brings enough red fruit brightness to cut through richer seafood dishes. It's not the flashiest bottle on the table, but it earns its spot.
Dom Pérignon
Dom Pérignon on a restaurant list at a mid-tier Sacramento seafood spot means you're paying a serious premium for a label more than a carefully sourced vintage. Unless you're celebrating something that genuinely warrants it, the 2016 Cristal or Schramsberg give you a better story for less money.
2021 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs + Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut
The Schramsberg's bright acidity and fine bubbles cut right through the richness of the macadamia crust while letting the halibut's delicate flavor stay in the conversation. It's the kind of pairing that doesn't need explaining — it just works.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Scott's Seafood is a safe, solid choice for a riverfront dinner where you want to pop some bubbles without thinking too hard — just don't come here expecting the wine list to match the view. Stick to the sparkling section and you'll leave happy.
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
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Mulvaney's is doing something genuinely unusual for Sacramento: serious grower Champagne and left-field regional picks in a converted firehouse that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you eat here and order the house red without looking at this list, that's on you.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
El Dorado Hills (Greater Sacramento) · Sacramento · California comfort food / cafe
Selland's El Dorado Hills isn't a destination wine stop, but it's a genuinely solid neighborhood option — a short list curated with more care than the counter-service format would suggest. Send a friend here if they want something decent with dinner; don't send them here if wine is the whole point of the night.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Land Park / Broadway · Sacramento · California comfort food / cafe
Selland's Broadway is the rare fast-casual spot where the wine list has an actual opinion, not just SKUs. If you're in the neighborhood on a Monday, the half-price wine special makes it a no-brainer — show up, order a pizza, drink something you'd normally only find at a dedicated wine bar.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Highland Street · Worcester · Seafood
The Sole Proprietor is a reliable, crowd-pleasing list that does exactly what a classic seafood institution should — it just won't thrill anyone looking for adventure or a fair deal on the big names. Order the oysters, pick the DuMol, and leave the Opus One for someone else's expense account.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverside · Riverside · Seafood
Red Lobster Riverside isn't a wine destination — it's a seafood chain with a wine list that exists because it has to. If you're here, drink the Riesling or the Prosecco, enjoy your biscuits, and keep your expectations calibrated accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Market Broiler Riverside is a dependable night out for seafood — the wine list won't excite anyone who's been paying attention, but it won't embarrass you either. Send a friend here for dinner without hesitation; just don't tell them to geek out on the wine program.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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