Gastropub Wine That Actually Makes Sense
Five Points · Raleigh · Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 20, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Federal’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The Federal isn't trying to be a wine bar — and that's fine. The list reads like someone put genuine thought into keeping things accessible and affordable without defaulting to the usual grocery-store suspects. When your by-the-glass pours are priced below retail, you've already won half the battle.
The list anchors in the U.S., France, and Italy — no surprises, no deep dives into obscure appellations, but also no embarrassments. What stands out is the value-first mentality: markups are genuinely modest, which is rare for a bar-kitchen format. The range skews toward crowd-pleasing whites and approachable reds, and there are a few interesting detours — a Basque Txakoli rosé on a gastropub list is not something you see every day. Don't come here expecting a deep Burgundy cellar, but don't count it out either.
The glass program runs an estimated 10-18 options, which is solid for a place where the burger and wings are the real draw. Rotation appears limited — this feels more like a set-it-and-let-it-ride program than one with a weekly chalkboard refresh. That said, with pours priced where they are, you can afford to experiment without wincing at the bill.
Alpine Rift Sauvignon Blanc — $13
A glass of Alpine Rift Sauvignon Blanc at $13 when retail is $18 is legitimately one of the better deals you'll find at a Raleigh bar. Crisp, food-friendly, and priced like they actually want you to order it.
Txakoli Primo Rosé
Most people at a gastropub are reaching for a Chardonnay or a cold beer — which means this Basque rosé just sits there waiting. Bright, low-alcohol, slightly effervescent, and at $9 it's practically begging to be ordered with something fried.
Bliss Chardonnay
At $9 it's not a ripoff, but Bliss Chardonnay is the most boring wine on a list that has more interesting options at the same price. You're not getting value here — you're just defaulting. Order the Txakoli instead.
Txakoli Primo Zarautz + Wings
Txakoli's natural acidity and slight spritz cut through the fat and sauce on a plate of wings better than most beers do. At $9 a glass, it's the most underrated move on the menu.
The Bottom Line
The Federal isn't your destination wine spot, but it's the rare gastropub that treats its wine list with enough respect to price it fairly. Come for the food, stay for a second glass because you actually can afford to.
Glenwood South · Raleigh · Mediterranean
Vidrio isn't trying to reinvent wine lists, and it doesn't need to — solid French selections, fair pricing, and a by-the-glass program that actually gives you options make this a dependable wine destination in Raleigh. Send a friend here and they won't come back disappointed.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Raleigh · Raleigh · American, Seafood
The Players Retreat is the Wild Card because nobody walks in expecting a legitimate wine program at a beloved Raleigh neighborhood bar — and yet, here we are. Matt Fern keeps things credible, the California and French anchors are well-chosen, and as long as you steer past the grocery-store staples, you're drinking better than the room suggests.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Raleigh · Raleigh · Italian
Cucciolo Terrazza is a genuine surprise in Raleigh's dining scene — a neighborhood Italian with a wine list that earns its Wine Spectator badge and actually makes you want to explore beyond the first familiar name you recognize. Send your friends here and tell them to skip the Napa Cab.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Brier Creek · Raleigh · Indian
Azitra is doing something genuinely unusual — running a Wine Spectator-caliber list at an upscale Indian restaurant in Raleigh — and largely pulling it off. The Wednesday half-price program alone makes it worth putting in your rotation; the Bollinger and the Drouhin make it worth telling your friends about.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Unknown · Raleigh · Pizza
Ruckus Pizza is a solid spot for a casual pizza night — just don't come for the wine. Order a beer or a cocktail, or grab a bottle from the shop next door if they'll let you bring it in.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Apex · Raleigh · Winery (BYOF or charcuterie)
Cloer is a Wild Card in the best sense: it's a real working vineyard producing honest North Carolina wine at fair prices, and the vibe alone is worth the trip out of Raleigh. Bring food, bring friends, and give the Muscadine a real shot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Wichita · Gastropub
Sheet's Creek is a reliable pour in a landlocked city — nothing here will surprise a seasoned wine drinker, but it won't embarrass you either. Send your friends if they like California reds and don't want to think too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Union Street · Traverse City · Gastropub
7 Monks is a beer bar first and a wine program somewhere around fourth, but the short list is priced fairly, includes a local Michigan pour worth ordering, and doesn't try to be something it's not. Send a wine-drinking friend here if they're cool with keeping it simple.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Oak Street · Ashland · Gastropub
The Noble Fox is a brewpub, and you should drink like it — order a house beer and enjoy the atmosphere. If you're committed to wine, stick to the Collet or the Provence rosé and set your expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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