The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing

You're sitting on the James River with the Richmond skyline behind you and a wine list in your hand — the setting is doing a lot of heavy lifting. The list reads like a greatest hits of California and France with a few international picks scattered in, which feels appropriate for a waterfront steakhouse but won't surprise anyone. It's functional, approachable, and pretty safe.

The list leans heavily on California and Pacific Northwest workhorses — think Cakebread Chardonnay and Silver Oak Cab, the kind of names that sell themselves on a waterfront patio without much persuasion. There's a France presence and a few international options like the Bodegas Ostatu Rioja and Juve & Camps Cava, but the depth feels curated for comfort rather than discovery. At an estimated 60–100 selections, it covers enough ground to satisfy most tables, but adventurous drinkers will hit the ceiling fast. No sommelier on staff, and the list reflects that — it's crowd-friendly, not wine-forward.

The by-the-glass program runs an estimated 10–16 options, which is a respectable range for a restaurant at this price point. The real draw is the weekday happy hour from 4–6pm where all glass pours go half price — that changes the math considerably on what's worth ordering. Outside of happy hour, glass prices reflect the same steep markup pattern we see on the bottle list.