Gaja in Milwaukee? Yeah, We're Serious.
Story Hill · Milwaukee · American, Regional · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · May 1, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Story Hill BKC’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walking into a charming neighborhood spot on Bluemound Road and finding Gaja Barbaresco on the list is the kind of pleasant shock that makes this job worth doing. Story Hill BKC doesn't look like a serious wine destination — and that's exactly what makes it one. The casual, locally-sourced vibe masks a list that would turn heads in a much fancier zip code.
The list runs 150-250 bottles with a clear gravitational pull toward California and Italy — the two regions Story Hill does best and, not coincidentally, the two that earned them a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2025. California heavyweights like Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Kistler Vineyards Chardonnay, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and Jordan Winery Cabernet give the West Coast contingent serious credibility. Italy holds its own with Antinori Tignanello, Gaja Barbaresco, and Marchesi di Barolo anchoring a Super Tuscan and Piedmont presence that most Milwaukee restaurants wouldn't dare attempt. The list doesn't wander much beyond those two regions, so if you're hunting for Burgundy or Rhône, you may be disappointed — but within its lane, it delivers.
With 20-35 options by the glass priced $12-$18, the BTG program is genuinely one of the strongest reasons to visit. That range suggests a rotating, thoughtful selection rather than the usual four-bottle afterthought. For a neighborhood American spot, having this many pours available means you can actually drink well without committing to a full bottle over shakshouka.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $40–$60 (bottle range)
Jordan is a crowd-pleasing California Cab that typically retails around $35-$40, so catching it at the lower end of Story Hill's bottle range means you're not getting gouged. It's approachable, well-made, and drinks above its price point — exactly what you want at a neighborhood spot.
Marchesi di Barolo
Everyone eyeballs the Gaja and Tignanello, but Marchesi di Barolo is the sleeper pick. A classic, traditional Barolo producer that often gets overshadowed by flashier labels — at Story Hill's pricing it's likely the most underpriced bottle of Nebbiolo you'll find in the city.
Kistler Vineyards Chardonnay
Kistler is a great wine, no argument there — but it's highly allocated, widely coveted, and tends to get marked up aggressively wherever it appears. Unless Story Hill is pricing it at retail (unlikely), you're probably paying a premium for a bottle you could track down yourself. Save the budget for the Italian side of the list.
Antinori Tignanello + Meatbread
Tignanello — a Sangiovese-Cabernet blend from Tuscany — has the structure and dark fruit to stand up to a rich, meaty dish without overwhelming it. The acidity in the wine cuts through fat in a way that a heavier California Cab wouldn't, and it makes the whole thing feel like an accidental stroke of genius at a place serving bread stuffed with meat.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Story Hill BKC is the rare neighborhood restaurant where the wine list is genuinely worth your attention — Gaja and Tignanello sitting next to back bacon and baked eggs is the kind of delightful absurdity we fully endorse. Send your wine-curious friends here and let them be surprised.
Downtown · Milwaukee · Brazilian Steakhouse
Rodizio Grill Milwaukee is a genuinely fun night out if you're there for the meat and the spectacle — but the wine list is coasting on the restaurant's momentum rather than adding anything to it. Order the Gaucho Club, enjoy the picanha, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverwalk · Milwaukee · Japanese sushi and Asian fusion
Screaming Tuna isn't a wine destination, but it's a sushi spot with a wine list that actually respects the food it's serving — and in Milwaukee, that's worth calling out. Take a chance on the Alsatian whites or the sake program and you'll leave happy.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lower East Side · Milwaukee · French and Italian Riviera-Inspired Fine Dining
Lupi & Iris is doing something genuinely rare in Milwaukee — a wine program with depth, a sommelier who runs real events, and markup that doesn't make you feel like a mark. Send your friends here, and tell them to book early for the DRC dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Downtown · Milwaukee · Seafood-focused Contemporary American
Third Coast Provisions has a genuinely thoughtful wine list for a city that doesn't always demand one — the Burgundy focus is earned, the staff knows what they're doing, and the seafood menu gives those whites every opportunity to shine. The markup keeps it from being a destination for wine alone, but if you're already here for the food, you're in good hands.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Northwest Side · Milwaukee · Italian, Handmade Pasta, Wine Bar
Ca'Lucchenzo is the kind of place that makes you wonder why every Italian restaurant doesn't just commit to Italy this hard on the wine side. It's not a deep cellar, but it's a focused, honest list that actually fits the food — send your friends here and tell them to skip the cocktail.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Brookfield · Milwaukee · Upscale American Steakhouse
Mr. B's is exactly what it promises — a polished, reliable steakhouse wine list that hits all the expected marks without a single surprise. Send a friend here if they want a sure thing; send them somewhere else if they want to be excited.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Lewisburg · Lewisburg · American, Regional
Elizabeth's is doing something genuinely admirable: running a legitimate wine program in a market where nobody would notice if they didn't. If you're passing through Lewisburg or heading to Bucknell, this is absolutely where you want to have dinner with a bottle.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Grand Canyon Village · Grand Canyon · American, Regional
Look, you're not coming to the Grand Canyon to drink wine — but if you're eating at El Tovar, you could do a lot worse than a Jordan Cab on the rim at sunset. The Wild Card badge isn't about the list itself; it's about where you're drinking it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Grand Canyon South Rim · Grand Canyon · American, Regional
El Tovar is the Wild Card because nothing about a 100-year-old National Park lodge should have a Wine Spectator award and a respectable Jordan Cab on the list — and yet here we are. The wine program won't blow your mind, but it's competent, fairly priced, and served with one of the most dramatic dining backdrops on earth, which counts for something.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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