Sarasota Spot Where Wine Takes a Backseat
Sarasota · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed February 27, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Summer House’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Summer House's wine list reads like it was assembled by someone who Googled 'safe wine picks' and called it a day. The vibe here is clearly food-first, and the wine program feels like an afterthought—functional but not particularly inspired.
You're looking at a standard Florida coastal restaurant list: California Chardonnays that retail for $18 going for $52, a Whispering Angel rosé marked up to vacation-town pricing, and a token Italian section featuring the usual Pinot Grigio suspects. The list leans heavily on names people recognize from grocery store aisles—Justin, 14 Hands, La Crema—without taking any risks or showcasing interesting producers. There's likely a Caymus on here somewhere at $140, because of course there is. No natural wines, no small producers, nothing that suggests anyone on staff is actively curating this thing.
The by-the-glass program is predictable: probably six to eight options that haven't changed since opening day. Expect a Sauvignon Blanc, a buttery Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a Cabernet, maybe a Prosecco. They're likely pulling from the same big distributors as every other restaurant in a five-mile radius, and freshness is hit or miss depending on turnover.
Imagery Cabernet Sauvignon — $48
If it's on the list, it's one of the few Napa bottles that won't require a small loan—solid structure without the trophy pricing
Tormaresca Neprica Primitivo
If they have anything from Puglia, grab it—underrated Italian region that delivers jammy fruit without California markup
Butter Chardonnay
If you see this $12 retail bottle priced north of $40, you're paying for the gimmick label—order a beer instead
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc + Grilled Grouper
Fresh Florida grouper needs bright acidity—this New Zealand SB cuts through butter sauces and won't fight delicate fish
The Bottom Line
Summer House is the kind of place where you order wine because you're eating dinner, not because you're excited about the list. Come for the waterfront views and the seafood, but temper your wine expectations—this is tourist-town pricing on grocery-store selections.
Downtown Sarasota · Sarasota · Contemporary American
A one-page list that mixes Greek, Italian and French bottles with Cristal, Taittinger and Laurent-Perrier Champagnes, and posts many prices as two unlabeled numbers. Start with the Gai'a Assyrtiko (70 / 17) alongside the wood-fired octopus, or take the Les Girelles Picpoul (48 / 12) on a Tuesday, when the list says bottles at $99 and less are half off (bubbles and Champagne excluded). This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups, and the list carries no printed date, so confirm current availability and ask which number is the glass.
Downtown Sarasota · Sarasota · American
A 38-wine list that mixes French and California bottles and posts three Cabernet Francs among its reds. Start with the Charles Joguet Chinon at 68 or the Micro-Cosme red at 10 / 39, and ask which number is the glass. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Siesta Key · Sarasota · Italian
A big, Italy-heavy list with a run of $38 house-label bottles and reds that climb to a $696 1993 Quintarelli. Order the $38 C.G. Vini Chianti or the $38 Argiolas Vermentino, and save the Quintarelli for a table that has confirmed it's in stock. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Siesta Drive and US 41 · Sarasota · Steakhouse
A steakhouse list built in two layers: 80 wines on the main list with 42 poured by the glass from $10 to $45, and a 20-wine Reserve list that runs $160 to $715. For a steak dinner, order the Calera by Duckhorn Pinot Noir at $17 a glass with the filet, or pick the $42 Réserve Mont-Redon if the table wants a bottle. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups, and prices should be confirmed.
Sarasota · Sarasota · American with winery focus
A winery-restaurant list built mostly on its own bottlings, with clear glass and bottle prices. Order bin 79 Chardonnay with Dana's Parmesan-Crusted Chicken, or try the $10.75 house Red, and confirm what is pouring in Sarasota. This unrated guide covers the posted wine menu, not service, storage or retail markups.
Siesta Key · Sarasota · American
Summer House posts a seven-page list whose biggest section is Cabernet Sauvignon and blends, with a 31-pour glass page priced from $13 to $38. Start with the $17 Decoy Cabernet by the glass, then buy the $70 bottle if the table likes it, or try the $29 Collefrisio Montepulciano Riserva for something off the Cabernet track. Confirm current availability and prices, since the restaurant says pricing, vintages and wines are subject to change; this unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown Roswell · Roswell · American
Canton St. Social is a solid neighborhood restaurant in historic downtown Roswell, and the wine program appears to be built for exactly that — supporting a good night out without overcomplicating things. We don't have enough sourced wine data to tell you what to order, which means your best move is to ask your server what's pouring well that night and go from there. Worth a visit for the food and atmosphere; the wine list is a work in progress as far as our research goes.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Worcester · American
The Boynton is a great neighborhood spot for a cold beer, a burger, and a game — and that's exactly what it should be. The wine program is along for the ride, not driving the car. If wine matters to you tonight, this isn't your destination; if you're here for the food and the vibe, order a beer and enjoy it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Atlanta · Atlanta · American
Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta's wine list is a Lazy List by every measure — grocery store brands, steep markups, no specials, and a rotating staff with little incentive to know what's in the glass. If you're here for the memorabilia and the atmosphere, lean into a cocktail or a beer. If wine is non-negotiable, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling or Columbia Crest Cab will get you through the night without regret.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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