Spain's sleeper hits, hiding in Colorado
Old Colorado City · Colorado Springs · Spanish Tapas · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Tapateria reads like someone actually went to Spain, wandered off the tourist trail, and took notes. Forty bottles, almost entirely Iberian, leaning hard into indigenous grapes most Colorado diners couldn't name — and that's exactly the point. This isn't a list built around what sells; it's built around what's interesting.
Galicia shows up strong with the A Telleira Godello and Avancia Cuvée de O Mencía, both solid representatives of Spain's northwest and a clear signal that whoever curated this list knows their regions. The Villota Selvanevada Blanco and Alto Horizonte Altitud round out a range that spans Atlantic freshness to high-altitude Castilian weight. The Pedro Ximénez de Añada is a nod to dessert-wine territory that most tapas spots wouldn't bother with. Gaps exist — you won't find much Priorat or Ribera depth — but for 40 bottles, the intentionality here punches well above its weight.
By-the-glass specifics aren't confirmed from available data, so we can't count pours or guarantee rotation. What we can say is that with pricing this accessible on the bottle side, the by-the-glass program — whatever it looks like — should be an easy yes.
Dehesa La Granja Tierra de Castilla y León — $12
Retails for $20 and they're charging $12. That's not a markup, that's a gift. A big, structured Castilian red that should cost you twice this at any other restaurant in the Springs.
Avancia Cuvée de O Mencía
Mencía is one of Spain's most compelling red grapes — think cool-climate fruit, earthy tension, and a savory finish — and most people walk right past it. Don't. This is the bottle to order when everyone else is reaching for Rioja.
El Coto Crianza Rioja
At $11 it's technically not a rip-off, but El Coto is the grocery store Rioja that shows up everywhere. With the Mencía and the Castilla y León on the same list at similar prices, there's no reason to default to the safe pick.
A Telleira Godello + Patatas Bravas
Godello has enough body to handle the smoky paprika heat of bravas sauce without the bitterness a big red would bring. It cuts the richness of the potato and keeps the whole thing lively. An underrated call that most tables will walk right past.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Tapateria is doing something genuinely rare in Colorado Springs: building a wine list that matches the food's ambition rather than catering to the lowest common denominator. The pricing alone makes it worth the trip, but the list's dedication to real Spanish regionality is what earns the repeat visits.
Broadmoor · Colorado Springs · Steakhouse and American
La Taverne is a well-run, properly staffed wine program inside one of Colorado's most storied resort properties — expect to pay for the privilege and the setting. If you stick to Jordan and Peter Michael and resist the siren call of the trophy bottles, you'll drink very well here.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Broadmoor · Colorado Springs · Italian (Northern Italian, trattoria-style)
Ristorante del Lago is the rare resort restaurant where the wine program actually earns some respect — the Italian focus is real, the sommelier knows the list, and a few genuinely exciting bottles are hiding in there if you look past the marquee names. Just go in knowing you're paying Broadmoor prices, and order accordingly.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs · Steakhouse
Famous Steakhouse is the dependable old hand — the wine list won't excite you, but it won't embarrass you either, and with a prime rib in front of you and a Stag's Leap in the glass, that's a perfectly decent Thursday night. Just don't come looking for discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Manitou Springs · Colorado Springs · Mexican / Tex-Mex
Crystal Park Cantina is a genuinely fun spot for tacos and margaritas with a mountain view — lean into that and skip the wine entirely. The list is overpriced grocery store inventory with no ambition, and no amount of scenery changes that.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Manitou Springs · Colorado Springs · Upscale American, Contemporary Fine Dining
The Cliff House wine program is the dependable friend who always shows up dressed well — you know exactly what you're getting, and it's genuinely good, even if it never blows your mind. For a special occasion in the mountains, this is a comfortable, well-run room that will take care of you.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / West Colorado · Colorado Springs · Fine Dining / Steak & Seafood
Pepper Tree is a reliable wine stop for what it is — a classic Colorado fine-dining room where the tableside Steak Diane is the main event and the wine list is a well-behaved supporting cast. Don't come here chasing discovery, but do come knowing you'll drink decently without drama.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Legacy West · Plano · Spanish Tapas
For a Spanish restaurant in a Plano lifestyle center, Bulla punches above its weight — the Iberian focus is genuine and the pricing won't make you wince. Come for the tapas, drink something from Spain, and skip the Cab.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Spanish Tapas
Boqueria's wine list is a dependable, Spain-only program that mostly does right by the food — fair prices, solid producers, and enough range to keep the table happy across a long night of tapas. Don't come expecting discovery; do come expecting to drink well without your wallet taking a hit.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Armory Square · Syracuse · Spanish Tapas
Laci's isn't a destination wine bar, but it's doing something right — a focused Iberian list that actually matches the menu in a city where that's genuinely rare. Send a friend here with the explicit instruction to order the Cava and the Albariño.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.