Downtown Baton Rouge's Most Civilized Wine Stop
Downtown · Baton Rouge · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into the Watermark Hotel lobby to find The Gregory is a genuinely nice surprise — marble everywhere, historic bas-relief murals overhead, and a wine list that at least tries to match the room. The 150-plus bottle program feels intentional for Baton Rouge, which isn't exactly a wine city known for taking big swings.
The list leans hard into California Cabernet and French Burgundy, with Italy filling in the gaps — exactly what Wine Spectator flagged when handing out their 2024 Award of Excellence. Anchor producers like Caymus, Jordan, Stags' Leap, and Duckhorn will keep the power-lunch crowd comfortable, while Louis Jadot gives the France section some legitimate backbone. There's not much here that'll make a serious wine nerd's pulse quicken, but the range is honest and the list is curated rather than just assembled. Gaps in the Southern Hemisphere and anything remotely adventurous are noticeable, but this is a hotel restaurant in Louisiana, not a wine bar in the East Village.
With 12 to 20 options by the glass, there's enough to navigate a full dinner without committing to a bottle — a real win. Expect the usual suspects poured by the glass (Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio will absolutely be there), but the rotation doesn't appear to move much seasonally. What's there is reliable; just don't expect anything to blow your hair back.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $60
Jordan is one of the most consistently over-delivered California Cabs on the market — structured, food-friendly, and not trying to be Napa's version of a sports car. At the lower end of this list's price range, it's the move if you want something serious without getting gouged.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Everyone at this table is ordering Cabernet, and that's exactly why you should order this. Washington State Riesling from Ste. Michelle is criminally underrated — off-dry, bright, and cuts through rich Southern cooking in a way that a Chardonnay simply cannot. In a room full of red wine orders, it'll be the best glass at the table.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita is fine. It's always fine. It's also one of the most marked-up, least exciting bottles on any wine list in America. At a hotel restaurant, it'll cost you more than it should for something you could grab at any grocery store. There are better options here.
Louis Jadot Burgundy + Chicken-Fried Rabbit
Pinot Noir from Burgundy and rabbit are a classic pairing for good reason — the wine's earthy, red-fruit character complements game meat without overwhelming it. The chicken-fried preparation adds richness that actually benefits from Jadot's structure and acidity. This is the order.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Gregory is doing respectable work for a hotel restaurant in Baton Rouge — a Wine Spectator-recognized list, proper storage, and enough range to get through a serious dinner. It's not a destination wine program, but if you're already there for the room and the rabbit, the list won't let you down.
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