Trophy Hunting in the Seagram Building
Midtown East · New York · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 5, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Grill arrives like a leather-bound novel — and at 3,000 to 4,000 selections deep, it reads like one too. This is a room built for power lunches and celebration dinners, and the list matches the room's ambition without apology. You are not here to find a bargain; you are here to drink seriously.
California and Burgundy are the undisputed anchors — we're talking Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Leroy, and Henri Jayer in the same list, which is not something you say about many restaurants in America. Bordeaux coverage is equally deep, with Château Pétrus, Château Margaux, and Château Latour accounted for across multiple vintages. Italy punches well above its usual supporting-role weight here, with Giacomo Conterno Barolo and Gaja Barbaresco giving the old-world faithful something to get genuinely excited about. Champagne rounds it out with Krug and Salon Blanc de Blancs — two houses that never feel like they're just filling space on a list.
With 20 to 30 options by the glass, the program is more generous than the restaurant's trophy-wine reputation might suggest. The pours skew toward crowd-pleasing but well-sourced selections, and the five-sommelier team — Williston Cox, Erin Kesseli, Libby Winters, Jeremy Hansen, and Christian Piscitelli — means someone always knows what's in those bottles. Expect to spend meaningfully per glass, but expect to get something worth it.
Kistler Chardonnay — $80–$120 (estimated bottle range based on list positioning)
In a list stacked with four-figure Burgundy, Kistler offers world-class California Chardonnay at a price point that won't require a separate conversation with your accountant. It's the closest thing to a value play on a list that wasn't designed with that word in mind.
Ridge Monte Bello
Everyone chasing the California trophy names walks right past Ridge Monte Bello, which has been quietly outperforming its price for decades. It's one of the most age-worthy American Cabernets made, and on a list full of flash, it's the one with actual gravitas.
Opus One
Opus One is fine wine. It's also one of the most marked-up bottles in American restaurant culture, and at The Grill it will cost you significantly more than the already-elevated retail price. The halo effect is baked into what you're paying — there are better bottles on this list for less ego and more glass.
Giacomo Conterno Barolo + Prime Rib
Barolo's iron-clad tannins and high acidity were practically engineered for a thick cut of prime rib. Conterno is the real deal — structured, complex, and built for exactly this kind of moment in exactly this kind of room.
🔥 The Bottom Line
The Grill is one of the most serious wine destinations in New York, full stop — a Grand Award list with five sommeliers in a landmarked dining room is not something you stumble into. Bring a reason to celebrate, leave the budget anxiety at the door, and let the team steer you somewhere great.
Midtown West · New York · Russian-American
The Russian Tea Room treats wine as an afterthought dressed up in Champagne flutes — five famous labels at punishing prices with no range, no by-the-glass program, and no apparent curiosity about wine beyond what looks impressive on a table. Go for the spectacle, order the caviar, but don't come here expecting a wine list.
Grocery Store
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
David Burke Tavern's list is a Chardonnay lover's comfort zone with a solid sparkling section propping up the top — but the narrow focus and steep pricing mean you're paying for familiarity, not discovery. Send a friend here if they want California whites and a glass of Champagne; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· New York · Restaurant
Corima's wine list is proof that ten well-chosen bottles beat a hundred thoughtless ones every time. If you care about what's in your glass, this place is worth your attention.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Village · New York · American
Cecchi's is first and foremost a bar, but the wine list is more serious than the neon and noise suggest. Steep markups are the main ding — but if you know what to order, there's real pleasure here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SoHo · New York · Steak House, Small Plates
The Corner Store is a reliable, well-credentialed wine list doing exactly what a good SoHo steakhouse should — France and California, done with intention, in a room that makes you want to order another bottle. Just watch the markup on the big Bordeaux names and let the Rhône or Burgundy side show you a better time.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Tribeca · New York · American
Farra is punching above its weight class for a neighborhood wine bar, and the Wine Spectator nod is earned — just know that the serious bottles come with serious prices, and the no-sommelier setup means you're doing some of the navigating yourself. Worth it for anyone who knows what they want; potentially overwhelming for those who don't.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Southwest / Time Corners · Fort Wayne · American
Catablu is exactly what it needs to be for its neighborhood — a reliable, thoughtfully maintained list that won't embarrass you on a date night or bore you entirely. It's not a destination wine list, but it's a solid supporting act for a kitchen that clearly takes food seriously.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Otay Ranch Town Center · Chula Vista · American
BJ's is a fine place to drink a craft beer and eat a Pizookie. It is not a place to drink wine. Order a Brewhouse Blonde, skip the wine list entirely, and save your wine night for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
SanTan Village · Gilbert · American
The Cheesecake Factory is a perfectly fine place to eat — the wine list just isn't a reason to go. Order a cocktail, split a bottle of Santa Margherita if you must, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that earned it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.