Historic Charm Meets a Dependable Pour
Stockbridge · Stockbridge · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 16, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Red Lion Inn’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walking into The Red Lion Inn — a place that's been around since 1773 — you half expect the wine list to be as frozen in time as the wallpaper. It's not. The list is tighter and more focused than the sprawling dining room might suggest, leaning into California, France, and Italy with enough conviction to earn its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. It reads like someone actually made choices here, which counts for a lot in a Berkshires inn.
The 150-plus bottle list is anchored by California heavyweights and French classics — Caymus, Jordan, and Stag's Leap carry the Napa banner while Louis Jadot and Joseph Drouhin handle Burgundy duty reliably if not thrillingly. Italy gets a serious nod with Antinori's Tignanello on the list, which signals real ambition. The gaps are mostly in the Southern Hemisphere and anything remotely natural or obscure, but this is a historic New England inn, not a Brooklyn wine bar — the focus suits the room. John Reilly on staff as sommelier gives the list a credibility anchor that most country inns can't claim.
With 12 to 20 options by the glass, there's enough range to navigate a table with divided loyalties — a Chardonnay drinker and a Cab person won't have to negotiate. The Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling showing up in the glass pour rotation is a smart crowd-pleaser that also happens to be genuinely good. We'd like to see more rotation and adventurous pours, but the program is functional and staffed well enough that you can ask questions and get real answers.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $40
One of Washington State's most consistent producers at a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage. Off-dry, food-friendly, and criminally underordered by the Cab crowd — grab it with the lobster bisque.
Antinori Tignanello
Most people at an inn like this are defaulting to a Napa Cab without looking further. Tignanello — a Sangiovese-Cabernet blend from one of Tuscany's greatest estates — is sitting right there and will out-charm anything in the California section at a comparable price. It's the move.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine, no argument — but it's also the most marked-up recognizable label on any American restaurant list. You're paying for the name recognition here, and in that price range, the Jordan or Stag's Leap will deliver more interesting drinking for less ego.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon + Roast Prime Rib of Beef
Jordan's Cab is built for exactly this moment — classic, structured, not overextracted, with just enough fruit to stand up to a proper prime rib without fighting it. This is the kind of pairing that makes a cold Berkshires night feel like a very good decision.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Red Lion Inn's wine list won't blow your mind, but it's honest, well-kept, and staffed by someone who actually knows what's on it — a genuinely rare thing for a destination inn. If you're making the trek to Stockbridge, this is a safe and often rewarding place to drink.
2 wine lovers checked in
East Rapid City · Rapid City · American
This is a wine list that exists purely because restaurants are expected to have one. Don't come to Applebee's for wine — but if you're already here and you need a glass, the Mondavi Cab won't embarrass you.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Bloomington · Bloomington · American
You're not coming to Hy-Vee Market Grille for a wine revelation — but on a Wednesday, with half-price pours and half-price sushi, it's one of the better casual deals in town. Manage expectations, bring cash, and embrace the absurdity.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Biloxi Beachfront · Gulfport · American
This is a wine list for people who need wine with dinner and aren't interested in making it a thing — and it delivers exactly that without embarrassing anyone. If wine is important to your night, eat somewhere else; if you just want a glass of something recognizable while you watch the Gulf, you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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