Classic Naples Dining with Tried-and-True Bottles
Naples · Naples · Continental · Visit Website ↗
Updated March 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 24, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Continental’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 Continental presents a wine list that doesn't take risks, which in Naples, Florida, is probably the point. It's the kind of list where you know what you're getting before you even open it: Napa Cabs, Sonoma Chards, maybe a Pinot from Oregon if they're feeling adventurous. Safe, recognizable, and priced like you're paying for the zip code.
The list skews heavily American with predictable selections from major regions—expect Napa, Sonoma, and Willamette Valley to dominate the real estate. Old World gets a nod with some Bordeaux and Tuscan options, but nothing that strays from the blockbuster labels. There's minimal representation from smaller producers or emerging regions, and forget about natural wine or orange wine experiments. The focus is clearly on names guests recognize from grocery store wine aisles, just marked up 3-4x for the privilege of white tablecloth service.
Glass pours run the standard Florida resort playbook: a Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, a Meiomi Pinot Noir, maybe a Whispering Angel rosé in season. They're reliable crowd-pleasers that won't offend anyone or excite anyone. Rotation seems non-existent—these are permanent fixtures, which means the staff doesn't have to learn anything new, but also means you're drinking the same wines every visit.
2019 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages — $48
If they've got this Burgundian gamay on the list, it's your escape hatch from Napa bloat—bright, food-friendly, and actually drinks above its weight class
2020 Trimbach Pinot Gris, Alsace
Most people skip Alsace entirely, but this bottle brings weight and texture without oak, perfect for richer fish dishes
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Naples markup on already inflated Caymus pricing means you're paying $140+ for a $50 retail bottle that tastes like vanilla extract
2021 Sancerre, Pascal Jolivet + Pan-Seared Branzino
Classic French white with Mediterranean sea bass—the wine's minerality and citrus cut through butter sauce while matching the fish's delicate texture
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Continental delivers exactly what its name promises: safe, continental European and American wines without surprises. It's fine for a business dinner where no one wants to think too hard, but wine lovers will find themselves ordering cocktails instead.
Naples · Naples · American
Warren is a whiskey bar that does wine correctly, which is more than most can say. Eric Gaboury and the Wine Spectator nod give it credibility, and if you stick to the California producers you know or let staff steer you toward the Burgundy shelf, you'll drink well with your steak.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Mercato · Naples · American
Old Vines is exactly what it needs to be for Mercato — a polished, reliable wine list with genuine depth in its California and French lanes, even if the pricing skews toward the Naples wallet and the list doesn't take many risks. Send a friend here if they want something they recognize done well; send a wine nerd elsewhere.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Naples · Naples · American Steakhouse
Shula's is a genuinely impressive California Cab cellar wearing a classic steakhouse suit — the markups sting and the list doesn't wander far from Napa, but if that's your game, this is one of the better places to play it in Southwest Florida. Come on a Wednesday, order the Hillside Select, and stop overthinking it.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Marco Island · Naples · Italian
Sale E Pepe is the rare beachside Italian that takes its wine program as seriously as the frescoes on the walls — the Italian cellar depth is real, the WS credential is well-earned, and it's worth the trip even if the markups sting a little. Send your friends here for Barolo and osso buco; they'll thank you.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Vanderbilt Beach · Naples · Gulf Coast Seafood
Baleen delivers exactly what a resort wine list should: no surprises, no risks, just reliable bottles at premium prices. If you're here for the sunset and fresh grouper, the wine program won't get in the way—but it won't elevate the meal either.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Naples · Naples · Upscale Seafood & Steakhouse
Ocean Prime delivers exactly what it promises: a safe, corporate wine experience that won't embarrass your boss but won't surprise anyone either. Come for the scene and the seafood, order a cocktail, and if you must have wine, stick to the recognizable mid-tier bottles and don't look at the markup too closely.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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