Solid pours for smoke and brine nights
Downtown · Columbia · Contemporary American, raw bar and smokehouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 2, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Smoked’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Smoked reads like someone put genuine thought into the concept — pairing approachable bottles with a menu built around fire and oysters — but didn't quite see it through to the finish line. It's safe, broadly recognizable, and won't offend anyone at the table. That's both its strength and its ceiling.
The list leans heavily New World, with California Cabernet and Chardonnay doing most of the heavy lifting alongside Oregon Pinot Noir and a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for the lighter-drinkers. Old World representation shows up in Italian Pinot Grigio, Tuscan reds, and a Provence rosé, which at least gestures toward something beyond the usual American steakhouse playbook. There's a rotating Champagne or traditional-method sparkling on the list, which is a smart call given the raw bar — but without a named producer anchored on the menu, it's hard to know what you're actually getting. What's missing is any real depth: no grower Champagne, no skin-contact whites, nothing that would make a wine-curious diner sit up and get excited.
Ten to fourteen options by the glass is a respectable spread for a downtown Columbia restaurant, and the $9–$16 range keeps the barrier low. The Provence rosé and NZ Sauvignon Blanc are the smart picks if you're working through oysters and lighter raw bar fare. The glass program doesn't rotate much, which means what you see is what you get — fine, but don't expect seasonal surprises.
Oregon Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) — $64
At $64, this is the least painful bottle on a list that leans steep. Willamette Pinot has enough acid and earth to cut through smoked pork without overwhelming it, and it's the one pick where the markup doesn't feel like an ambush.
Provence Rosé (Côtes de Provence)
Most people at a smokehouse reach for red and never look back. That's a mistake here. A dry Provence rosé has the structure and salinity to work across the entire menu — smoked wings, oysters, brisket — without fighting the food. It's the most versatile bottle on the list and the one everyone walks past.
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough)
At $42 a bottle for a wine you can find at any grocery store for $16, this is the list's worst value proposition. It's pleasant enough, but you're paying a 162% markup for a bottle that delivers zero surprise. Order it by the glass if you want it; don't commit to a full bottle.
Provence Rosé (Côtes de Provence) + Oysters from the raw bar
Dry rosé and cold oysters is a combination that almost never goes wrong, and Côtes de Provence — with its minerality and restrained fruit — lets the brine on the oyster do its job without the wine stepping on it.
The Bottom Line
Smoked is a reliable enough wine stop if you're here for the food first and the glass is an afterthought — but the markups are steep and the list plays it too safe to earn much excitement. Order the rosé, enjoy the oysters, and don't stress the bottle selection.
· Columbia · New American / Southern
Terra keeps it simple with an all-by-the-glass format, fair pricing, and a few genuinely interesting picks tucked inside a short list. It won't satisfy anyone looking for a deep cellar dive, but it absolutely does the job for a New American dinner in Columbia.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Columbia · Wine Bar
Vino Sabor is betting that Downtown Columbia is ready for a real wine bar, not just wine at a bar — and based on the vibe, they might be right. We'd go back with a curiosity about Italian wine and an open mind; just don't come expecting a deep cellar or a Burgundy nerd behind the counter.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbia · Spanish-inspired / tapas
This is a wine list built for people who aren't really thinking about wine, and honestly that might be the point. If you're serious about drinking well with your tapas, order a cocktail and revisit the wine program if they ever add a Txakoli or a Garnacha.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Forest Acres · Columbia · Contemporary American Bistro with Southern Influences
Tombo Grille isn't going to win any points for boldness, but it delivers exactly what Forest Acres wants: familiar wines, fair-enough execution, and a menu worth eating. Send a friend here for a reliable dinner out — just temper expectations if they're hoping to discover something new.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Irmo / Northwest Columbia · Columbia · Contemporary American-Italian
Travinia is a reliable neighborhood wine bar that gets the basics right — solid selection, good by-the-glass volume, food-friendly pours — without ever swinging for the fences. Send your friends here for a comfortable bottle with dinner, not for a wine discovery experience.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Sandhill · Columbia · Contemporary American-Italian
Travinia Sandhill is a reliable wine bar in a market that doesn't have many — not adventurous, not cheap, but consistent enough that you won't regret the reservation. Just steer clear of the obvious traps and you'll have a decent night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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