Downtown Baton Rouge's Most Civilized Wine Stop
Downtown · Baton Rouge · American · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Gregory’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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.
· Baton Rouge · Fine Dining / French-Creole
French Market Bistro has the bones of a solid wine program — 72 labels, real Champagne houses, and one genuinely exciting Burgundy — but the list plays it so California-safe that the French-Creole kitchen deserves better company. A reliable stop, not a destination.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Baton Rouge · Mexican / Coastal
Veracruz has a coastal Mexican concept with real potential, but nine bottles — mostly California supermarket staples — is not a wine program worth seeking out. Order the MAN Chenin Blanc or the rosé, and hope the food carries the night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jefferson / Airline · Baton Rouge · Barbecue and Seafood
BRQ is a solid neighborhood restaurant with a wine list that knows its audience — approachable, inoffensive, and honestly fine for what it is. Hit it on a Wednesday, grab the seasonal rosé or a bottle of The Prisoner at half price, and you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Baton Rouge · Baton Rouge · Italian
The Little Village isn't your wine destination, but Tuesday happy hour from 5–7 PM flips this into a genuinely good deal — half-price bottles on a $40–$140 list changes the math entirely. Come for the veal, order early, and let Tuesday do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
South Baton Rouge / Airline Highway · Baton Rouge · Italian
The Little Village Airline is not a destination for wine — it's a destination for lasagna, and the wine list knows it. Come on a Wednesday, order a bottle of La Crema at half price, and you'll leave happy enough.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Mid City / Perkins Road Overpass · Baton Rouge · Cajun and Creole Seafood
Parrain's is a legitimately great seafood spot that simply doesn't care about wine, and the list proves it. Order the étouffée, have a beer or a cocktail, and save your wine enthusiasm for somewhere that's earned it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Baltimore · American
Give the international and local sections a look before defaulting to Burgundy. Sula at $70 and Old Westminster at $90 offer different budget options. These are posted bottle prices, not guaranteed stock; confirm availability. This menu guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
· Key West · American
Caroline's Café is not a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — the identical pricing across all five house labels makes that abundantly clear. If you're in Key West looking for something interesting in your glass, keep walking; if you just need a cold pour of Chardonnay with your lunch and aren't asking questions, $8 gets you there without drama.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Kerns · Portland · American
Noble Rot is the rare restaurant wine program that would hold up as a standalone wine bar — deep list, sharp staff, fair prices, and a view that makes the whole experience feel earned. Send your friends here. Send yourself here.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
