Midtown · Atlanta · Southern · Visit Website ↗
Updated March 2026
Reviewed February 20, 2026
Wingman Metrics
A clean, one-page list organized by style (Crisp & Light, Rich & Bold, etc.) with about 40 bottles and 10 by-the-glass options. Easy to read, nothing intimidating. This is a list designed for the person who wants to order quickly and get back to the conversation.
Solid but safe. You'll find the usual suspects: a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, an Oregon Pinot Noir, a California Cabernet. Nothing will offend you, and nothing will surprise you. The Southern cuisine deserves more adventurous pairings (where's the Chenin Blanc with the fried green tomatoes?), but what's here is competently chosen and fairly priced.
Ten options covering the basics. A rosé, a couple of whites, a few reds, and a sparkling option. Pours are generous and prices hover around $12–$16. No complaints, no excitement.
Charles & Charles Rosé — $12/glass
A crowd-pleasing dry rosé at the lowest glass price on the list. Perfect with the pimento cheese and fried chicken.
Bonterra Viognier
The only slightly adventurous pick on the list. Floral and round, it pairs surprisingly well with the spicy shrimp and grits. Most people will walk right past it.
The Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay
It's fine. It's always fine. But at $14/glass, you're paying a premium for the most recognizable label on the list. The Bonterra is more interesting for $2 more.
Bonterra Viognier + Shrimp and Grits
The wine's floral aromatics cut through the richness of the grits while its soft acidity complements the spice. An underrated combination.
✔️ The Bottom Line
South City Kitchen has a wine list that does its job without trying to impress. Fair prices, safe picks, and nothing that'll embarrass you on a date. It just won't make your night either.
West Midtown · Atlanta · Alpine / European
Avize is doing something genuinely rare in Atlanta: building a short wine list with actual conviction, pointed straight at the corners of Europe that deserve more attention. If you eat here and don't order something you've never heard of, you're doing it wrong.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Contemporary American
By George is a fine place to drink wine if you know what you're walking into — a curated-but-safe list built for a stylish crowd that wants rosé and bubbles without friction. Come for the Crémant and the Tavel; don't expect to find anything that'll make you rethink your relationship with wine.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Gastropub / Rooftop
Nine Mile Station isn't a destination for wine nerds, but it's a perfectly decent place to drink something cold and recognizable while the Atlanta skyline does the heavy lifting. Come for the view, drink the Crémant, ignore the Rombauer.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Wine Bar
Vin Atl is doing something most Atlanta wine bars aren't: curating a short list with genuine intention instead of padding it with safe bets. At these prices, it's worth a stop even if you only come for one bottle.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Rooftop Bar / Small Plates
St. Julep is a place to drink wine, not a place to drink well. If you're here for the skyline and the scene, pour the rosé and enjoy it — just don't come expecting the list to surprise you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
BeltLine · Atlanta · Cocktail Bar with Kitchen
The James Room is a cocktail bar first and a wine destination never — but the list is competent enough to get you through a bottle without frustration. Come for the atmosphere, order the Cava or the Sancerre, and let the cocktail menu handle the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Bessemer · Bessemer · Southern
Bright Star isn't a destination for wine lovers, but it's not pretending to be — and the Skouras on that list is enough to earn our respect. Come for the history and the seafood, order the Greek white, and don't look too hard at the Sancerre pricing.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Pearl District · Portland · Southern
Screen Door is a Wild Card — a Southern comfort food spot that has no business having a thoughtful Oregon wine list, and yet here we are. The markups sting a little, but the Lambrusco alone is worth the detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Fort Myers · Fort Myers · Southern
The Veranda isn't trying to be a wine bar — it's a landmark Southern dining room that happens to have a real cellar worth exploring. The pricing is fairer than you'd expect for the market, the depth is legitimate, and if you're willing to look past the Caymus-and-friends lineup, there are genuinely rewarding bottles hiding in there.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.