The Durham
Hotel rooftop wine that actually earns it
Downtown Durham · Raleigh · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 17, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at The Durham feels like the hotel itself — curated, a little boutique, trying harder than it has to. It's not sprawling, but it's not lazy either, and the by-the-glass prices are genuinely reasonable for a rooftop bar with this much ambient good taste.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans on familiar geography — California, France, Pacific Northwest — but makes some interesting calls within those lanes. You've got a Willamette Valley Pinot Gris from Greetings Wine Co sitting next to a Loire Sauvignon Blanc and a proper 2016 Bordeaux Merlot, which suggests someone at least glanced at a map before placing orders. The Argentina Malbec rosé from Salta is a genuine surprise in a good way. Gaps exist — no serious reds beyond approachable everyday bottles, and depth disappears fast if you start asking questions.
By the Glass
The glass program covers the bases competently: bubbles, whites, a rosé, and a few reds all in the $10–$13 range. That's a rooftop miracle in 2024. Rotation appears limited — this reads more like a set list than one that changes with the seasons.
DMN Jean Aubron Sauvignon Blanc Loire Valley France 2023 — $12
A Loire Sauvignon Blanc at $12 a glass is genuinely good value — this style punches crisp and citrusy, retails around $22, and you're getting it poured fresh on a rooftop. Easy yes.
Domingo Hermanos Malbec Rosé Salta Argentina 2024
Most people walk right past Argentinian rosé and grab the Provence bottle on reflex. Don't. High-altitude Salta Malbec makes a rosé with actual spine and dark fruit character — this one's worth a detour from the usual pink.
Fable Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast California 2023
At $12 a glass it's not highway robbery, but Central Coast Cab at this tier is the most predictable pour on the list. You're not getting anything interesting here — it's fine, forgettable, and you could do better with nearly anything else on the menu.
Colline aux Fossiles Chardonnay Roussillon France 2021 + Oysters
A southern French Chardonnay — leaner and more mineral than your typical California butter bomb — is exactly what you want against briny oysters. The $12 glass price makes this a no-brainer opener.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Durham's wine list is the rare hotel bar program that doesn't embarrass itself — fair pours, fair prices, and a few genuinely curious bottles scattered in. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, especially if that friend likes drinking on a rooftop.
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