Smoke-forward food, afterthought wine list
North Columbus · Columbus · American Barbecue and Grill · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here is exactly what you'd expect to find tucked behind a laminated menu of pulled pork platters and loaded nachos — a handful of names you recognize from the grocery store checkout aisle. Nobody came to Smokey Bones for the Burgundy selection, and the list makes no pretense otherwise.
We're looking at somewhere between 10 and 20 bottles, all California, all familiar to anyone who's ever grabbed something quick off a shelf at Kroger. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and Barefoot headline the roster, which tells you everything about the ambition level here. There's no regional diversity, no small producers, no attempt to complement the genuinely decent smoked meats with something interesting. This is a wine list that exists because the menu says it has to, not because anyone thought hard about it.
You'll find four to eight pours available by the glass, which sounds reasonable until you realize the pool they're drawing from. Expect the usual Cab, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio suspects at prices that feel aggressive given what's in the glass. Rotation is not a word in this program's vocabulary.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon — $25
At the low end of their bottle pricing, this is at least a drinkable, familiar Cab that won't actively ruin your ribs. It's not exciting, but it's the least offensive spend on this list.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon
Hidden gem is a generous term here, but if you're committed to ordering wine, the Woodbridge Cab at least has enough dark fruit and soft tannins to hold up against smoky BBQ without fighting it — more than can be said for the lighter options on this list.
Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon
Barefoot retails for around $7 at any gas station in Georgia. Whatever they're charging you for it here is too much. Order a beer.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon + Smoked BBQ Ribs
The Woodbridge Cab has just enough body and fruit to stand next to smoky, saucy ribs without getting completely steamrolled. It's not a revelation — it's damage control. But it works better than anything else on this list.
❌ The Bottom Line
Smokey Bones is a perfectly fine place to eat ribs and watch a game — just don't come here for the wine. Order a cold beer, save your wine budget for somewhere that cares.
Midtown Columbus · Columbus · Seafood
Red Lobster 13th St. is not a wine destination — it's a seafood chain where wine exists because a menu has to have one. Order the Riesling with your lobster tail, enjoy the Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and make your peace with it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverwalk / Downtown Columbus · Columbus · American
Denim & Oak isn't going to make anyone's wine pilgrimage list, but for Columbus, Georgia, it's a legitimately decent place to drink — fair prices, a deep BTG program, and Wine Down Wednesday as a reason to come back. Just steer clear of the Concha y Toro and head straight for the Orin Swift or the Oregon section.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
North Columbus / Whittlesey Boulevard · Columbus · Modern American
Ivory & Oak is a reliable wine stop in a city that isn't exactly crawling with serious lists — the room is great, the pours are familiar, and the markup is the main thing holding it back from something better. Go for the steak, order the Merlot, and don't expect to be challenged.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Airport / East Columbus · Columbus · Hotel Restaurant
If you're stuck at the DoubleTree and the flight is delayed, Houlihan's will keep you fed and adequately watered — but don't mistake that for a wine program worth seeking out. Order the Etude Pinot or the Malbec, skip the sangria, and manage your expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Airport / East Columbus · Columbus · American Bar & Grill
This is airport-adjacent chain wine, full stop — familiar labels at inflated prices for a captive audience that mostly wants something cold and wet after traveling. Order a cocktail instead, or hit the hotel bar and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Uptown · Columbus · Pub
The Rail Pub is not here to advance your wine education, and that's fine — it's a pub, it sells beer, and the wine list exists as an afterthought for the table that didn't want beer. Order the J. Lohr if you need a glass of something real; otherwise, get a pint and stop looking at the wine menu.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.