Des Moines Does Wine, No Apologies
Grays Landing · Des Moines · Modern American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Table 128’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Table 128 doesn't announce itself with fanfare, but it earns its keep. For a modern American bistro tucked into downtown Des Moines, the range is broader than you'd expect — California, France, Oregon, and Italy all showing up with something to say. It's not a destination list, but it's one you can actually drink from without wincing at the bill.
With somewhere between 80 and 150 bottles, Table 128 covers the major bases without getting adventurous about it. California and France anchor the list, which is exactly what this room's clientele probably wants, while Oregon and Italy add just enough texture to keep things interesting. There are no obvious deep-cuts or cellar trophies here, but the bottles chosen within each region feel considered rather than default. The gaps are in the Southern Hemisphere and anything remotely esoteric — if you're hunting for Jura or skin-contact Slovenian white, you're at the wrong address.
The by-the-glass program runs 12 to 20 options at $12 to $20 a pour, which is a solid spread for the market. Rotation isn't confirmed as frequent, but the range covers white, red, and rosé without leaning too heavily on any one style. Happy hour pricing reportedly brings glasses down further, which pushes the value proposition into genuinely impressive territory.
Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc — $10
Retails around $18 and it's landing on your table at happy hour pricing that undercuts even that. Matanzas Creek makes a clean, food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc and at this price point it's essentially a gift. Order two.
Le Château de Chaintré Chardonnay
Most people skip French Chardonnay on an American bistro list without a second glance, assuming it'll be either too funky or too expensive. This one from the Mâconnais sits at $10 and offers the kind of restrained, mineral-driven character that California Chardonnay fans don't know they're missing. Worth the detour.
Frico Sangiovese Rosé
It's not offensive, but at $10 for a mass-market Sangiovese Rosé that retails for $14, you're spending a token amount for a wine that brings almost nothing to the table. With the Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc sitting at the same price, there's no reason to settle for this one.
Cousiño-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon + Duck Breast
Chilean Cab at this price point tends to run leaner and more structured than its California counterparts — less jam, more grip. That structure cuts through duck's richness and complements the savory, rendered fat without overwhelming the plate. It's a classic match that works especially well when the bottle costs you next to nothing.
The Bottom Line
Table 128 isn't trying to be a wine destination, but with markup this fair and a list that covers meaningful ground, it punches well above its weight for downtown Des Moines. Send a friend here and tell them to drink the French Chardonnay during happy hour — they'll thank you.
Johnston · Des Moines · Wine bar / American
Louie's Johnston is exactly what a suburban wine bar should be — a big by-the-glass list, fair prices, and zero pretension. Send your friends here when they want to drink well without a side of attitude.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Clive · Des Moines · Steakhouse & American
Club Car is a reliable steakhouse wine list doing exactly what it was built to do: keep Cab drinkers happy and nobody walking out complaining. Don't come here for discovery, but don't leave without ordering the Jordan.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waukee · Des Moines · Japanese / Asian Fusion / Sushi
Wasabi Waukee is a genuinely good sushi restaurant that treats its wine list like an afterthought — familiar names, steep markups, and zero curiosity about what wines might actually sing alongside the food. Order the cocktails or sake instead, and save the wine discussion for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Ingersoll / Grand · Des Moines · Contemporary American
Louie's Wine Dive is the kind of place Des Moines needs more of — a real wine program in a no-pretense room, with Tuesday half-price deals that make experimenting genuinely low-stakes. It's not a destination list, but it's absolutely a destination night.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Clive · Des Moines · American, Brewpub
Granite City is a brewery that tolerates wine, and the list reflects that perfectly. Drink the beer — it's the whole point of being here.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Des Moines / Jordan Creek · Des Moines · Italian
Bravo! is a fine dinner out if the pasta is what you're after, but the wine list is purely functional — corporate-designed, safely marked up, and entirely forgettable. Order a glass of bubbles or the Chianti, make peace with your choices, and let the food do the heavy lifting.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Healdsburg · Sonoma · Modern American
Valette is the wine country restaurant experience done right — deeply local, properly staffed, and serious about what's in the glass, even if the markups ask you to pay for the zip code. Send your friends here if they're already in Healdsburg; just tell them to skip the Phelps.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Annapolis Towne Centre · Annapolis · Modern American
Cooper's Hawk Annapolis is exactly what it is — a well-run, corporate winery restaurant where the wine list exists entirely in-house and the experience is built for people who want wine to be easy, not educational. Send your parents here without hesitation; send your wine-obsessed friend somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / Penn Square · Lancaster · Modern American
Plough isn't a destination wine list, but it's a fair and functional one — honest pricing, decent glass selection, and just enough global range to keep things interesting. If you're in Lancaster for the food and the vibe, the wine program won't let you down; just don't come expecting to be surprised.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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