Fondue First, Wine List an Afterthought
Greenville · Greenville · Fondue · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 11, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The Melting Pot puts its energy into bubbling pots of cheese and chocolate — and the wine list makes that very clear. Forty-five labels sounds like a reasonable number until you realize it's mostly recognizable grocery store names dressed up at restaurant prices. This is a list designed to not confuse anyone, which is both its appeal and its problem.
The list leans hard on California and Washington, which isn't inherently a sin, but the producers here — Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Mark West, Chateau Ste. Michelle — are the kind of wines you grab off an end cap at Kroger without much thought. There's no real depth, no interesting regional outliers, no attempt to push guests toward something they haven't already had. Washington gets a token nod via Chateau Ste. Michelle, but it's the entry-level Chardonnay, not anything that would make a Pacific Northwest wine fan proud. The top of the bottle list reaches $120, but with no indication of what's up there, it feels like a mystery nobody asked for.
Twelve pours by the glass is a generous count, and the $10–$16 price range is at least consistent. The problem is that consistency also extends to the uninspiring lineup — expect the usual suspects: a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a Cab. There's no rotation or seasonal program in sight, so what you see in January is almost certainly what you'll see in October.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay 2021 — $42
It's still marked up over 130% from retail, but of the three wines we can confirm, this is the least egregious. At least it's a step above the base-tier Ste. Michelle lineup and has some actual structure to hold up against the Wisconsin Trio cheese fondue.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay 2021
Most tables here are defaulting to the Cab or the Pinot without much thought. If you're doing a cheese course, the fuller-bodied Chardonnay from the Indian Wells vineyard is actually the right call — it has enough weight to not get swallowed by a three-cheese fondue blend.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
A 220% markup on a $15 retail bottle is not a trade we're willing to make. This wine is fine on a Tuesday at home; at $48 on a special-occasion dinner, it's an insult to the occasion.
Mark West Pinot Noir 2022 + Yin & Yang Chocolate Fondue
Mark West is light, fruity, and simple — which actually makes it one of the few wines on this list that can sit alongside a chocolate dessert fondue without turning bitter. It's not a sophisticated pairing, but it works, and sometimes that's enough.
❌ The Bottom Line
The Melting Pot in Greenville is a genuinely fun dinner experience if fondue is your goal — but the wine list is a toll booth, not a feature. Order what you need to enjoy the evening and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Downtown Greenville · Greenville · Greek and Mediterranean
Kouzina is a counter-service gyro spot with a Greek wine list that would embarrass a lot of full-service restaurants — that's the Wild Card situation right there. If you're anywhere near Greenville and curious about what Greece actually tastes like in a glass, this is a weirdly perfect place to find out.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Greenville · Greenville · New England–style oyster bar and coastal seafood
The Jones Oyster Co. is doing something genuinely thoughtful with wine in a market that doesn't always demand it, and the Loire-forward approach earns real respect. It's not a destination wine list, but if you're eating oysters in downtown Greenville, you're in good hands.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Greenville · Greenville · Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Greenville is a reliable machine — the wine list won't challenge you, staff won't geek out with you, and you'll probably pay more than you should. But if you want a well-stored Napa Cab with a perfect ribeye and zero surprises, it delivers every time.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Woodruff Road area · Greenville · American Steakhouse & Grill
Firebirds is a reliable wine stop if you're already there for dinner and want something familiar done reasonably well — just don't expect the list to challenge or surprise you. Send a friend here for the filet; warn them to skip the Chardonnay markup.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Greenville · Greenville · Steakhouse & Seafood
Larkin's on the River is a reliable spot if you want a crowd-pleasing California Cab with your steak and don't mind paying a premium for the Falls Park backdrop. Don't come expecting the wine list to surprise you — come for the river view and order the Jordan.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Greenville · Greenville · Southern / New American
Soby's has one of the most legitimately impressive wine programs in the entire Southeast, and the fact that it's anchored in Greenville rather than a major metro makes it worth a detour on its own. If you're anywhere near South Carolina and you care about wine, you owe yourself a seat at this table.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Central Park · Fredericksburg · Fondue
The Melting Pot Fredericksburg is a perfectly fine place to drink wine — as long as you're not coming for the wine. The list keeps up with the experience without elevating it, and you'll leave full and content, which is honestly what most people at this table are here for.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Arlington · Arlington · Fondue
The Melting Pot Arlington isn't a wine destination, but the Monday-through-Thursday half-price bottle deal makes it a legitimately good value if you time your visit right. Send a friend here for the fondue experience, just remind them to go on a weeknight.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
South Reno · Reno · Fondue
The Melting Pot in South Reno is a fun dinner experience if you're into the whole dip-your-own-food thing, but the wine list is purely functional — overpriced grocery store labels with no sense of adventure. Order the Prosecco, enjoy the chocolate fondue, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.