The Kiln
Old Town's Small-Producer Secret Worth Seeking Out
Old Town Alexandria · Alexandria · Craft-focused neighborhood bar & restaurant · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 27, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into a craft cocktail bar and finding Laurent-Perrier, Turley, and Pax on the wine list is not what you expect from Old Town Alexandria. The Kiln plays it like a neighborhood spot but the wine list is clearly the work of someone who knows what they're doing. This thing has range.
Selection Deep Dive
Forty-plus labels covering California's Central Coast and Sonoma, Oregon's Willamette Valley, Champagne, the Loire, Mosel, and a nod to local Virginia producers — this is not a list built by committee or pulled from a distributor catalog. You get serious Pinot Noir representation with Calera, Martin Woods Jessie James Vineyard, and Roco Gravel Road sitting next to Pax Syrah and Turley Zinfandel, which is the kind of California lineup most DC-area restaurants wouldn't bother curating. The French side holds its own with three distinct Champagne producers and Ladoucette handling the Loire. The only real gap is depth on Italy and the Virginia section, which shows promise but feels like it hasn't fully committed yet.
By the Glass
Eighteen-plus by-the-glass options at a craft bar is genuinely impressive — most places in this category offer six and call it a day. Prices run $12 to $24, which is honest money for this market. The rotation isn't well-documented so don't expect a guaranteed selection on any given night, but the floor is high.
Roederer Estate Sparkling — $14
Anderson Valley sparkling from one of California's best houses, almost certainly landing under $16 by the glass. It consistently punches above its weight against entry-level Champagne, and at this price point it's the easiest yes on the list.
Martin Woods Jessie James Vineyard Pinot Noir
Most people at a cocktail-forward bar are going to order the Calera because they recognize the name. That's a mistake. Martin Woods is a small Willamette Valley producer making precise, terroir-driven Pinot Noir from a single named vineyard — the kind of bottle you'd hunt down at a dedicated wine shop.
Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc
Great wine, no argument there. But Schramsberg is widely distributed and frequently marked up aggressively at restaurants. With Roederer Estate and three legitimate Champagne options on the same list, there's no reason to pay the Schramsberg premium here.
Pax Syrah + Any charcuterie or cured meat board on the menu
Pax makes cool-climate, Northern Rhône-style Syrah from Sonoma — savory, peppery, with enough structure to stand up to cured meats and fat. It's the kind of pairing that feels effortless and makes you want to order another glass.
🎲 The Bottom Line
The Kiln is the wine list you don't see coming at a craft cocktail bar in Old Town — thoughtful producers, fair prices, and a selection that respects the people ordering it. If you're in Alexandria and care about what's in your glass, this is where you go.
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