Solid BBQ Backup, Wine List Does the Job
Central Street / North Evanston · Evanston · American (contemporary tavern and barbecue) · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Ten Mile House’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ten Mile House is short, unpretentious, and built for a crowd that came here for smoked brisket — not a Burgundy deep dive. Twelve wines, all available by the glass, priced between $10 and $15. It's not ambitious, but it's not embarrassing either.
The list hits the expected marks: a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a California Chardonnay, a Pinot Grigio from Italy, an Oregon Pinot Noir, a Washington Cab, Chianti, and a Grenache Blend. The most interesting entry is the Old Vine Monastrell from Spain — a left-field pick that doesn't usually show up at neighborhood taverns with a brisket menu. The sparkling side gets a nod with Acinum Prosecco and a South African Sparkling Rosé. Gaps are obvious — no Rhône, no Riesling, no real depth — but this list isn't pretending to be something it's not.
All twelve wines are available by the glass, which is the right call for this format — nobody's ordering a bottle mid-pint at a barbecue joint. Prices top out at $15, which keeps things accessible. The rotation appears fixed with no seasonal swaps in sight.
Old Vine Monastrell (Spain) — $13
Old vine Monastrell punches way above its weight class — dense, dark fruit with real structure. It's not a wine you'd expect here, and the price reflects a neighborhood tavern, not a wine bar. Grab it before someone notices it doesn't belong.
Sparkling Rosé (South Africa)
South African sparkling rosé is chronically underrated across the board, and at $15 a glass it's the most interesting pour on a list that otherwise sticks to safe bets. Worth ordering just to see if your table notices.
Chardonnay (CA)
At $12 it's not a rip-off, but a generic California Chardonnay at a barbecue spot is the path of least resistance — and least reward. There are better options on this same short list.
Old Vine Monastrell (Spain) + Smoked Brisket
Old vine Monastrell has the tannic grip and dark fruit concentration to stand up to smoky, fatty brisket without getting steamrolled. It's the one wine on this list that actually earns its seat at the barbecue table.
The Bottom Line
Ten Mile House is a neighborhood spot you go to for ribs and a beer — the wine list is a respectable safety net, not the reason you're here. If you're skipping the beer, the Monastrell or the South African sparkling rosé will keep you perfectly happy.
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Deep & Eclectic
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Basic Stemmed
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
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Acceptable
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Old World Focus
Steep
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Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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