Ann Arbor's Approachable Wine Bar Done Right
· Ann Arbor · New American / Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · August 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Spencer’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Spencer's wine list reads like a confident crowd-pleaser — 69 labels, 35 by-the-glass options, and a clear focus on names people already know and trust. It's not trying to impress anyone with obscure natural producers or deep cellar dives, and that's fine. For Ann Arbor, this is a genuinely solid wine program.
The list leans hard into California and the Pacific Northwest — Duckhorn, Sonoma-Cutrer, Meiomi, Bonanza — with some token European representation via Louis Latour and Riff Pinot Grigio. There's a decent sparkling section and a few rosé options including the obligatory Whispering Angel, but don't come here looking for anything from the Rhône, Burgundy proper, or anywhere remotely offbeat. Idlewild's Flora & Fauna 2021 is the lone adventurous pick, a field blend from California's Sierra Foothills that doesn't quite fit the mold of everything else on the list. The bottle ceiling hits $705, which suggests at least some aspiration toward a serious cellar, though the everyday list doesn't quite back that up.
Thirty-five by-the-glass options is genuinely impressive for a mid-sized restaurant, and Spencer clearly wants the glass program to carry the room. The range spans sparkling, rosé, whites, and reds, with prices running from $19 up to a jarring $52 for the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2020 by the glass — a price point that starts to feel aggressive unless the pour is generous. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here; this feels like a list that was set and stays set.
Louis Latour Grand Ardèche Chardonnay 2020 — $25
This is a legitimately good Burgundy negociant Chardonnay — structured, food-friendly, and recognizably Old World — at a price that doesn't make you wince. In a sea of California Chards, it stands out and earns its spot.
Idlewild Flora & Fauna 2021
A field blend from the Sierra Foothills that has no business being on a list this mainstream — and yet here it is at $22. It's aromatic, textural, and interesting in ways the rest of the white selection simply isn't. Most people will order the Sauvignon Blanc. Don't be most people.
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2020
At $52 a glass, you're paying bottle-price-plus for a pour that's undeniably a great wine but a terrible value proposition here. Buy the bottle somewhere else and save yourself the math.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Dry Riesling 2019 + Ask your server for the fish or lighter protein option
At $19 a glass, this Washington Riesling is crisp, off-dry enough to handle seasoning, and versatile enough to cut through butter or lift a delicate white fish. It's the kind of wine that makes whatever's on the plate taste better without demanding attention for itself.
The Bottom Line
Spencer is a reliable wine bar doing exactly what it sets out to do — give Ann Arbor diners a comfortable, recognizable list with enough options to make everyone at the table happy. Just watch the by-the-glass pricing on the upper end, and let the Idlewild be your little secret.
Downtown / Campus · Ann Arbor · New American / Hotel Restaurant
Eve is a dependable, well-kept hotel wine list that earns its place as Ann Arbor's go-to for faculty dinners and anniversary meals — just don't come expecting to be surprised. Order the Merry Edwards, skip the Stag's Leap markup, and let someone else handle the tab.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor · Upscale-casual Italian
Bravo! is a chain doing chain things with its wine list — predictable, approachable, and not particularly exciting. But the markup is fairer than most chains, the by-the-glass range is functional, and if you show up on a Wednesday, $7 Provençal rosé on the patio is a genuinely good time.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · American Gastropub
The Ravens Club isn't a wine destination — it's a late-night Ann Arbor institution that happens to have a functional wine list. Show up on a Wednesday, order the Gruet for $6, and let the spirits program do its real job.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · Japanese-inspired ramen, noodle dishes, and izakaya-style small plates
Slurping Turtle is a genuinely fun spot to eat, and the ramen deserves your full attention — but the wine list is on cruise control and nobody seems to mind. Stick to a glass of Riesling or grab a beer, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that reciprocates it.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor · Sushi / Japanese
Nagomi is the rare sushi spot that made an actual choice with its wine program instead of just phoning it in with grocery store staples — a focused BC lineup at fair prices is exactly the kind of unexpected that earns a second look. If you're curious about Canadian wine and want a low-stakes way to explore it, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · Korean BBQ
Tomukun is a great place to eat Korean BBQ and drink soju with friends — the wine list is just not the reason to come here. Order the Riesling if you must, or do yourself a favor and let the soju do the work.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Santa Ana · New American / Wine Bar
Darkroom is punching well above its weight class for a 14-bottle program — the selection is sharp, the pricing is honest, and the list has a clear point of view. Send a wine-curious friend here and tell them to ask for the Riesling.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Route 1 / MarketFair · Princeton · New American / Wine Bar
Seasons 52 Princeton is a reliable wine stop for anyone who wants a wide-open by-the-glass menu, fair pricing, and zero surprises — in a good way and a bad way. Send a friend here if they're still figuring out what they like; send a wine nerd somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Fruitville Pike / Belmont Area · Lancaster · New American / Wine Bar
Harvest delivers a by-the-glass program that embarrasses most full-service restaurants in central Pennsylvania — if you time your visit to happy hour, it tips into genuinely good value territory. The markups are steep in spots and the list won't surprise a seasoned wine drinker, but for Lancaster, this is a reliable win.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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