Downtown Baton Rouge's Most Civilized Wine Stop
Downtown · Baton Rouge · American · Visit Website ↗
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 →
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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.
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
South Baton Rouge / Airline Highway · Baton Rouge · Cajun and Creole Seafood
Don's Seafood is a Baton Rouge institution for a reason — the crawfish étouffée earns its reputation and the charbroiled oysters are worth the drive. The wine list, however, is pure afterthought: grocery store brands at gouge-tier markups with zero program investment. Order the Abita, order a cocktail, order anything but the wine.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Baton Rouge / Perkins Rowe · Baton Rouge · Contemporary Southern, Louisiana Comfort Food, Creole/Cajun
SoLou isn't a wine destination, but it's a genuinely reliable place to drink well alongside some of the best Southern comfort food in Baton Rouge. The draft wine program and smart glass selection make it easy to order confidently — and that's more than most spots in this city offer.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
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
West Truckee · Truckee · American
Sunnyside is a casual lodge restaurant wearing a serious wine list under its flannel — the markup is steep and it won't win any awards for staff expertise, but the producer lineup is legitimately impressive for where you're sitting. If you're already at the lake, this is absolutely worth ordering a real bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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