Lodge Vibes, California Cabs, One Great Wednesday
Tallahassee · Tallahassee · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed May 19, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walk into The Huntsman and the wine list feels exactly like the room — warm, confident, and unapologetically Californian. It's the kind of list that knows its audience and plays to them, leaning hard into Napa Cabs and recognizable labels that look great on a table next to a dry-aged steak. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2023, and you can see why — there's real intention here, even if it doesn't push many boundaries.
The list leans California first, Italy second, and doesn't spend much time worrying about anywhere else. You'll find the usual marquee names — Caymus, Jordan, Duckhorn, Cakebread — done well and presented with care, which counts for something. The Italian side is presumably where things get more interesting, though the California anchor is impossible to miss. What's missing is any real sense of adventure: no left-field growers, no under-the-radar regions, no one swinging for the fences with something you'd never expect to see in Tallahassee.
By-the-glass specifics weren't available during our research, but with two named sommeliers on staff — Woodman Miner and Cameron McDonald — we'd expect the glass program to be curated rather than an afterthought. Ask the team what's pouring; they'll have opinions worth hearing. The real move, though, is coming on a Wednesday.
DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles — $80
At $80, the DAOU is the most approachable Cab on the list and genuinely punches above its weight for Paso Robles. It's the entry point that doesn't feel like a consolation prize — rich, structured, and right at home next to anything coming off the grill.
Belle Glos 'Clark & Telephone' Pinot Noir
In a room full of Cab drinkers, the Belle Glos Clark & Telephone tends to get overlooked — and that's a mistake. It's a bold, fruit-forward Santa Maria Pinot that bridges the gap between red wine lovers and the Burgundy-curious. Order it with the venison and don't look back.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2020
At $160, Caymus is doing a lot of work on name recognition alone. It's not a bad wine, but it's one of the most widely distributed Cabs in America and the markup reflects the brand, not the bottle. Spend that money on something the sommeliers actually get excited about.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley + Dry-aged steak
Jordan is built for exactly this moment — it's got the structure and dark fruit to stand up to a serious dry-aged cut without steamrolling it. Elegant enough to let the beef shine, substantial enough to hold its own. This is why both exist.
Wednesday — Half-price wine night every Wednesday — the single best reason to plan your week around dinner at The Huntsman. Steep markups become very reasonable deals; that $160 Caymus drops to $80, and suddenly the whole list looks a lot friendlier.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Huntsman is a genuinely solid wine destination for Tallahassee, backed by real sommelier talent and a Wednesday half-price night that makes the steep markups much easier to stomach. It's not the most adventurous list in Florida, but it's executed with care and served with confidence — and that matters more than most places give it credit for.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.