California Comfort in a Downtown Albany Gastropub
Downtown Albany · Albany · New American · Visit Website ↗
Updated October 2026
Reviewed April 13, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed The Hollow Bar + Kitchen’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The Hollow leans hard into its gastropub identity — live music, solid burgers, and a wine list that reads like a California greatest hits compilation. It's approachable and crowd-friendly, which is fine, but don't come here expecting to stumble onto anything adventurous. The list does what it needs to do without ever trying to surprise you.
This is a California-forward list anchored in Napa and Sonoma, with names like Rombauer and Orin Swift doing the heavy lifting. There's nothing wrong with that, but the range is narrow — Old World drinkers are going to feel underserved, and anyone looking for a Rhône, a Burgundy, or even a domestic Pinot from the Willamette Valley is out of luck. J Vineyards and J Cellars fill out the middle ground with reliable crowd-pleasers, and Orin Swift's Hell Cab is there for the bold red crowd. It's a list built for the restaurant's core customer, not for wine exploration.
The by-the-glass program runs 10-16 options, which is respectable for a gastropub of this size. Expect the usual suspects — a California Cab, a couple of whites, maybe a rosé. The rotation doesn't appear to change much, so what's on the list tonight is probably what was on it six months ago.
J Cellars Pinot Gris — null
On a list that skews heavy toward big Napa reds, J Cellars' Pinot Gris stands out as a lighter, food-friendly option that works well with the kitchen's bolder dishes. It punches above its price point relative to the other options on this list and is often overlooked in favor of the Cabs.
J Vineyards Cuvée
Most people ordering here are going straight for the Rombauer or the Orin Swift, but the J Vineyards Cuvée is a sparkling option that almost nobody thinks to order at a gastropub — and that's exactly why you should. It's a sleeper that holds its own.
Rombauer Cabernet
Rombauer Cabernet is a fine wine, but at restaurant markup it becomes a hard sell when you can get it at retail for significantly less. The Hollow isn't running any deals on this bottle, and you're paying for the name recognition more than anything else here.
Orin Swift Hell Cabernet + Riggies (blackened chicken and chorizo pasta with jalapeño)
The Hell Cab is a big, fruit-forward wine with enough structure to stand up to the spice and smoke of the Riggies. The bold chorizo and jalapeño heat need something that won't get bulldozed, and this Cab holds the line without overcrowding the plate.
The Bottom Line
The Hollow is a solid night out in downtown Albany — the food is the story, the wine list is a supporting character. If you're a California red drinker, you'll be comfortable here; if you're looking for something more adventurous, you're going to be scrolling the cocktail menu by the second course.
Loudonville · Albany · New American Steakhouse
A steakhouse wine page with a long glass list and a Coravin group for bigger names, but no prices online, so judge it by phone or at the table. For a steak, try the Jordan Cabernet or the Caymus from the Sommelier Selections; for something different, the Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling. Confirm what is pouring and the prices before you order, since the page is undated and says selections may vary. This unrated guide covers the posted wine page, not service, storage or markups.
West End · Albany · British Pub
A short pub wine list where every one of the 15 wines has both a glass and a bottle price. Order the $27 Gionelli Pinot Grigio, or the $45 Tarani Malbec for a red; both are also poured by the glass, at $9 and $13. Confirm current availability and prices. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Delmar · Albany · American
Normanside's posted drink menu is short and glass-friendly, with 23 wines carrying a glass price from $9 to $15. Order The Wine for Pizza with the $16 pepperoni Detroit-style pie, or take the $12 Pessimist by Daou for a darker red. Confirm current availability and prices before you go; this unrated guide covers the posted drink menu, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown · Albany · Seafood
Jack's is an oyster house first, and its wine lists back that up with French whites by the glass and the bottle. Start with a half dozen oysters and a glass of the Antoine de la Farge Menetou-Salon at 18, or go for the bottle of Reverdy Ducroux Sancerre at 84; for red, the $14 Catena Malbec is the lowest-priced glass. Confirm current lists and prices when you book; this unrated guide covers the posted wine lists, not service, storage or markups.
Downtown Albany · Albany · Italian
Cafe Capriccio's glass list is short and Italian-led. Try the Scaia Corvina or the Castello di Bossi Chianti before the usual Pinot Grigio, and put the Barolo with the Pork Osso Buco. The posted list shows no prices, so ask what each glass costs and confirm what is open. This unrated guide covers the posted glass list, not service, storage or markups.
Western Ave · Albany · Mediterranean
Barcelona's bar menu posts more Spanish and Italian range than you might expect, from Rioja Crianza to a $125 Brunello. Try the Albariño at $9 $35 with seafood, or the Juan Gil red blend at $11 $40 if you want something fuller. Most wines show two prices with no unit labels and the page is undated, so confirm which is glass and which is bottle, and today's availability, when you order. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
· Round Rock · New American
Whiskey Cake Round Rock isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — the all-by-the-glass format keeps things approachable, the pricing is honest, and there are a couple of genuinely good pours hiding in a short list. If wine is your priority tonight, look elsewhere; if you're here for the vibe and want something decent in your glass, Chehalem and Altocedro have you covered.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbia · New American
Motor Supply Co. Bistro appears to put its energy into the kitchen, and that may be the right call — but three wines is not a wine program. Until this list gets a serious rethink, order a cocktail or call ahead to ask about corkage.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · New American
THREE isn't trying to be a wine destination, and the list makes that abundantly clear. If you're here for cocktails or the bar scene, you're probably in the right place — but if wine matters to you even a little, this four-item lineup isn't going to do much for you. Order the House Champagne at $5, accept the situation for what it is, and move on.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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