Solid hotel wine list that earns its keep
Downtown · Winston Salem · Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 25, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Sir Winston Wine Loft & Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Sir Winston, you get the sense that someone actually thought about the wine program — this isn't a hotel bar afterthought with four Cabs and a Pinot Grigio. The list is broad, international, and clearly meant to impress, which it mostly does. The room backs it up: polished and grown-up without being suffocating.
At an estimated 150-200 labels, the list covers a lot of ground — California dominates as you'd expect, but there's genuine range here with Spanish Garnacha Blanca and Tempranillo, an Argentine Malbec, German Riesling, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and Sicilian Moscato rounding things out. The Opus One appearance signals they're aiming at serious wine drinkers, not just satisfying the table that orders whatever sounds familiar. That said, the depth is wider than it is deep — you won't find much in the way of grower Champagne, aged Burgundy, or serious Italian reds. The regional North Carolina angle in the food menu doesn't quite make it to the wine list, which is a missed opportunity given how the local wine scene has grown.
Twenty-plus options by the glass is genuinely generous, and the 6 oz versus 9 oz pour split gives you flexibility — ideal if you want to work through a few bottles' worth of variety across a meal. The glass list leans accessible: Meiomi Pinot Noir, Louis M. Martini Cab, Whispering Angel Rosé — crowd-pleasers, not barn-burners. Rotation appears limited; this feels like a list that gets revisited annually rather than seasonally.
Campo de Borja Garnacha Blanca — $10
Spain's Garnacha Blanca is chronically underrated and rarely this affordable at a hotel restaurant. It's textured, dry, and interesting — a steal compared to everything around it on this list.
J. Baumer Riesling (Rheinhessen)
Most tables at a place like this are going to reach for the Whispering Angel or something California. The Rheinhessen Riesling is the sleeper — dry, precise, and completely out of place in the best way on a list otherwise dominated by New World crowd-pleasers.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is fine, but it's a $14 retail bottle that earns restaurant markup fast. You can do better almost anywhere else on this list, and at these prices you're paying for the brand recognition more than the wine.
Matsu Tempranillo + Brussels Sprout Tacos
The earthy, slightly funky char on those Brussels sprout tacos wants something with grip and a little rusticity — the Matsu Tempranillo from Spain brings both without steamrolling the vegetable-forward dish.
The Bottom Line
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.
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Winston Salem · Winery Tasting Room / Light Bites
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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Crowd Pleasers
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
· Winston Salem · Wine Bar / Small Plates
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Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Sweet Basil is the best wine list in Vail by a wide margin — 400 bottles, a real Cruvinet program, and a sommelier who put actual thought into the selections. The markups sting, but that's mountain dining; the quality justifies the trip.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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