Fondue First, Wine List An Afterthought
West Melbourne · Melbourne · Fondue / American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 12, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Melting Pot’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Melting Pot Melbourne is exactly what you'd expect from a national chain that's been perfecting the same fondue playbook for decades — comfortable, crowd-pleasing, and designed to move bottles without making anyone think too hard. It's not embarrassing, but it's not going to surprise you either. The list exists to serve the experience, not elevate it.
At 40-60 labels, the list casts a wide international net — U.S., Italy, New Zealand — but doesn't go deep anywhere in particular. You'll find the reliable suspects: Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige, and King Estate from Oregon rounding out the domestic presence. There's nothing wrong with any of these choices, but there's also nothing that suggests someone with real wine curiosity curated this. Regional representation is broad but thin, and the list feels like it was assembled by a corporate beverage committee, not a passionate buyer.
Ten to sixteen options by the glass gives you enough to work with across a four-course fondue dinner, which is honestly the right call here since you'll probably want to switch things up between cheese and chocolate courses. The BTG selection mirrors the bottle list — safe, recognizable names that won't confuse the table. Rotation appears minimal; don't expect seasonal surprises.
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough — null
Stoneleigh is a consistently well-made Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that punches above its retail price point — bright citrus and cut grass that actually does real work against the cheese fondue courses. It's the most purposeful wine on the list relative to what you're eating.
King Estate Pinot Noir, Oregon
Oregon Pinot on a fondue chain menu doesn't scream destination wine, but King Estate produces honest, food-friendly bottles and this one tends to get overlooked in favor of the Italians. If you're doing the beef or mixed entrée course, this is worth the detour.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige
Santa Margherita is one of the most marked-up labels in American restaurants, full stop. You're paying a significant premium for a brand name that peaked in the '90s. The wine is perfectly fine — it's also everywhere, and there's almost certainly a better value pour on this same list.
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough + Wisconsin Cheddar Cheese Fondue
The high acidity and citrus bite of the Stoneleigh cuts right through the richness of a cheddar-based fondue, keeping each dip from feeling heavy. It's the obvious move and it works every time.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Melting Pot Melbourne is a reliable date-night destination where the wine list plays a supporting role and mostly does its job without causing problems. If you're here for the experience — and you should be — order the Stoneleigh, enjoy the fondue, and don't overthink it.
North Melbourne · Melbourne · Japanese / Sushi
Makoto isn't trying to be a wine bar and it knows it — the list is short, the labels are familiar, and the prices are genuinely kind. Send your friends here for sushi and tell them to order the Malbec by the bottle; they'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Melbourne · Melbourne · Elevated Regional American
The Landing Rooftop is a reliable spot for a glass with a genuinely spectacular view — hit it on a Wednesday when the wines go half price and the Cambria Chardonnay becomes the best deal on the Space Coast. Don't come here to geek out on wine; do come here to drink something decent while watching a rocket launch.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
West Melbourne · Melbourne · Floribbean / Key West-inspired American
Hemingway's Tavern isn't a wine destination, but it earns its keep with a list that's wider than the vibe suggests and a Wednesday half-price bottle deal that makes even the steeper markups disappear. Come for the tacos, stay for the Albariño, and thank the calendar for getting you there on Wednesday.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
West Melbourne · Melbourne · Greek / Mediterranean
It's a counter-service Greek grill in a strip mall that serves Xinomavro and Assyrtiko at fair prices — that's either a minor miracle or a Wild Card, and we're calling it the latter. Don't sleep on the wine list just because you're eating off a paper tray.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Melbourne · Melbourne · Casual steakhouse / Australian-inspired American
Outback's wine list is exactly what you'd expect from a national chain that treats wine as a revenue line item rather than a program worth caring about. Come for the steak, order the Chateau Ste. Michelle if you need a bottle, and save the real wine exploration for a different night.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Melbourne · Melbourne · Steakhouse
Texas Roadhouse is not a wine destination and makes zero pretense of being one — we respect the honesty, even if we can't respect the list. Order the rolls, order the ribs, order a beer, and let the wine page collect dust.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cheektowaga · Buffalo · Fondue / American
The Melting Pot Cheektowaga is a dependable date-night destination where the wine list plays a supporting role — and knows it. Order the Riesling, enjoy the fondue, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Boise · Fondue / American
The Melting Pot Boise won't win any awards for its wine program, but it's a functional, inoffensive list that pairs reasonably well with an inherently indulgent dining experience. Send your friends here for the fondue and just steer them toward the Sonoma-Cutrer or the Jordan — they'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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