Sous Chef CTK
More Questions Than Answers on This List
Asheville · Asheville · Contemporary American
Reviewed February 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
We walked in expecting Asheville's food scene energy to translate to the wine list, but instead we found a bare-bones selection that feels like an afterthought. The list reads like someone ordered from a wholesale catalog and called it a day. Zero spark, zero personality.
Selection Deep Dive
The wine program at Sous Chef CTK feels fundamentally disconnected from the city's vibrant food culture. What's on offer skews heavily toward mass-market labels with inflated restaurant markups—think Meiomi Pinot Noir at $48 and Ruffino Chianti at $52, bottles you'd find at any chain restaurant in America. There's no sense of curation, no local producer love, no adventurous picks that reflect Asheville's embrace of natural wine and indie spirit. The list maxes out around 15-20 bottles, mostly safe California Cabs and Italian standards that suggest no one's really thinking about wine here.
By the Glass
Glass pours are equally uninspired—likely the same five crowd-pleasers you'd find anywhere: house Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, maybe a Malbec. No rotation, no seasonality, no interesting half-bottles or quartinos to encourage exploration. The pours feel like checkbox items rather than opportunities to enhance a meal.
Imagery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon — $42
If you're stuck ordering, this Sonoma bottling offers decent fruit without the usual $60+ markup on California Cab—though it's still overpriced for what it is
Local Asheville cider or beer
Honestly, skip the wine entirely and lean into what Asheville does best—craft beverages that actually reflect the region's character
Meiomi Pinot Noir
This $18 retail bottle shows up everywhere at triple markup; it's sweet, one-dimensional, and a lazy choice that disrespects your wallet
Anything from the beer list + Whatever the chef is cooking
The kitchen might be putting effort into the food, but the wine program isn't holding up its end—pivot to what Asheville actually cares about
❌ The Bottom Line
We can't recommend Sous Chef CTK for wine. The list shows no thought, no value, and no connection to Asheville's adventurous drinking culture. Order a cocktail or a local brew and save your wine dollars for literally any other spot in town.
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