Burgers First, Wine Very Much Second
Downtown · State College · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 20, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Field Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Field is exactly what you'd expect from a burger-and-tap spot that treats wine as an afterthought — eleven labels, all by the glass, all aimed squarely at the path of least resistance. There's nothing here that requires a second look, and honestly, that's kind of the point. This is a beer bar that happens to stock wine for the one person at the table who asked for it.
The eleven wines on offer read like a grocery store endcap: LaMarca Prosecco, Canyon Oaks Moscato, Beringer White Zinfandel, and Washington Hills Riesling anchor the white side with crowd-pleasing, low-commitment pours. The reds — Aviary Cabernet Sauvignon, Waterbrook Merlot, Tilia Malbec, and Browne Family Heritage Pinot Noir — show at least a gesture toward range, though none of it is adventurous. California and Washington dominate, with a nod to Argentina and Italy, but there's no depth, no regional curiosity, and no bottle list to speak of. If you came here hoping for something to talk about, you'll be redirected toward the tap handles quickly.
Every single wine on the list is available by the glass — which sounds generous until you realize the list is only eleven bottles deep and there's no bottle program to speak of. Rotation appears nonexistent; this looks like a set-and-forget situation where the list changes when a distributor rep knocks on the door, not because anyone in the building is paying attention.
Tilia Malbec — $10
Tilia is a reliably decent Argentine Malbec that punches above its price point in retail — it's fruit-forward, approachable, and holds up next to a burger better than anything else on this list. If you're drinking wine here, this is your move.
Browne Family Heritage Pinot Noir
Washington State Pinot Noir doesn't get much attention, and most people gloss right past it on a list like this — but Browne Family's Heritage bottling is a legitimate wine from a real producer. It's the one option here that suggests someone, somewhere, made a conscious choice.
Beringer White Zinfandel
There is never a good reason to order White Zinfandel at a restaurant unless you are at a 1987 wedding reception. Skip it.
Tilia Malbec + Burger
A juicy, fruit-driven Malbec and a well-built burger is one of the more honest pairings in casual dining — the wine's dark fruit and soft tannins don't fight the beef, they just ride alongside it. It's not sophisticated, but it works.
The Bottom Line
The Field is a tap bar first, wine program distant second — and that's fine, as long as you know what you're walking into. Order the Malbec, enjoy your burger, and save the serious wine drinking for somewhere else.
North Atherton · State College · Steakhouse / American
Texas Roadhouse is not a wine destination and makes no pretense of being one — the food is the point, and the wine list is a legal obligation. Order a beer, enjoy the rolls, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that earned it.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Atherton · State College · Italian Chain
Olive Garden's wine list exists to check a box, not to enhance a meal — it's corporate, static, and marked up past the point of good value. Order the Chianti Classico if you must, but honestly, grab the cocktail menu instead.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Boalsburg · State College · American
The Butter Churn is doing something genuinely surprising for central Pennsylvania — a thoughtful, well-sourced wine list that goes beyond the expected and rewards the curious drinker. If you're anywhere near State College and care about what's in your glass, this deserves a visit.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · State College · Brewpub / American Comfort Food
Happy Valley Brewing Company is a beer destination with a wine list that exists out of obligation, not passion. If your table skips the beer, order the Whitehaven and move on — don't go chasing depth that isn't here.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · State College · American, burgers and bar food
The Field's wine list is functional at best and forgettable at worst — it exists to serve people who want something other than a beer, not to make anyone excited about what's in their glass. Order the Hawstone Hollow out of regional solidarity, grab the Tilia Malbec with your burger, and let the cocktail menu do the heavy lifting the rest of the night.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Bellefonte · State College · Italian
Mamma Lucrezia's isn't a destination wine list, but the Wednesday half-price bottle deal changes the math considerably — suddenly that Joseph Phelps looks a lot more interesting. Show up any other night and manage expectations; show up Wednesday and order what you actually want.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Union Square · San Francisco · American
The Rotunda is a lunch experience first and a wine destination a distant second — the list is safe, the markup is real, and you're largely paying for the address and the atmosphere. Come for the crab salad and the occasion, order something bubbly, and don't go in expecting a serious wine program.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eagle Ranch · Vail · American
The Wild Sage is your dependable neighborhood spot in Eagle Ranch — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you at dinner either. Watch the markups on the top-shelf Napa bottles and stick to the mid-range, and you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Traverse City · American
Warehouse Kitchen + Cork won't win any awards for depth or ambition, but it plays its hand honestly — fair prices, solid local representation, and a full by-the-glass program that respects your wallet. If you're in Traverse City and want a glass of something local with a water view, this works.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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