Solid Pours, No Pretense, Downtown Riverside
Downtown · Riverside · American Gastropub
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 24, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Salted Pig’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Salted Pig isn't trying to impress you — and honestly, that's fine. It's a craft beer gastropub first, a wine destination second, and the list makes no bones about that. What you get is a focused, approachable set of bottles that works for the room without embarrassing anyone.
The 30-50 label list leans heavy on California and Pacific Northwest crowd-pleasers — think Justin Cabernet from Paso Robles, Meiomi Pinot Noir, and Whispering Angel Rosé — with little room for adventurous detours. There's no deep dive into Burgundy, no natural wine rabbit hole, no obscure Rhône producer waiting to surprise you. What's here is recognizable, sessionable, and built for people who know what they like and want it without a lecture. The Provence nod via Whispering Angel is a savvy call for a restaurant doing tacos and gastropub fare in a warm-weather city, even if it's not exactly a bold curatorial choice.
Eight to twelve pours by the glass is a respectable range for a spot where beer is the star. Prices land between $9 and $14, which is genuinely reasonable for downtown Riverside and won't wreck a mid-week dinner budget. Don't expect the list to rotate much — this reads as a set-and-forget program that prioritizes consistency over discovery.
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles — $14
Justin's Paso Robles Cab punches above its glass-pour price — it's a legit, well-distributed California Cab from a respected producer, and at the high end of their by-the-glass range it's still a fair deal. Order a bottle and the math gets even better.
Whispering Angel Rosé
Yes, it's everywhere. But in a gastropub in inland Southern California, nobody's expecting a proper Provence rosé on the list. It cuts through rich, salty food like a champ and it's exactly what you want on a warm Riverside evening when the tacos are good and the patio is calling.
The Prisoner Red Blend
The Prisoner is a marketing triumph and a wine list cliché. It's fine — but at typical restaurant markups it's an overpriced bottle that coasts on name recognition. The Justin Cab next to it offers more wine for less theater.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc + Fancy Tacos
Kim Crawford's bright citrus and grassy snap is a natural foil for taco fillings — it cuts through fat, lifts spice, and keeps things lively between bites. It's not a complicated pairing, but it works every time.
The Bottom Line
The Salted Pig isn't a wine destination, but it doesn't need to be — the list is honest, the prices are fair, and there's enough here to drink well through a solid meal. Send your beer-curious friends; bring the wine drinkers who just want something familiar and cold.
Canyon Crest · Riverside · Winery Bistro
Canyon Crest Winery is a genuine local gem for Riverside residents who want to drink well without driving to Temecula. It's not a deep-list destination, but for a casual pour at fair prices in a relaxed setting, it earns its spot on the map.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Riverside · Riverside · Steakhouse / Buffet
Sizzler's wine program is a formality, not a feature. Come for the salad bar and the cheese toast, order a soda or a beer, and save your wine curiosity for literally anywhere else.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Sierra / Tyler Mall · Riverside · American / Sports Bar
Yard House is a beer destination that happens to pour wine, and the wine list knows its place. Unless you're genuinely stuck here and need something in a glass, skip the wine, order a craft draft, and let the beer list do what it was built to do.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverside · Riverside · Steakhouse
Cask 'n Cleaver isn't a destination for wine, but it's not embarrassing either — come for the prime rib, pick Jordan Cab, and call it a solid night. If you're serious about the bottle, check the markup before you commit.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverside · Riverside · Burgers
Islands Riverside is not a wine destination and makes no attempt to be one — the list is an afterthought bolted onto a beverage program built around beer and cocktails. Order a cold beer or a tropical cocktail, enjoy your burger, and save the wine for a different night.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverside · Riverside · Casual Tex-Mex / Fresh-Mex
Come to Chevys Riverside for the fajitas, the tableside guac, and absolutely the margaritas — the wine list is there for completeness, not conviction. If wine is your priority tonight, this is the wrong zip code.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Broadway at the Beach · Myrtle Beach · American Gastropub
Liberty Tap Room is a solid spot for cold beer, a burger, and a game on the screen — but the wine list is an afterthought and the pricing reflects zero effort to earn your wine dollars. Come for the beer, skip the bottle.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · La Crosse · American Gastropub
The Crow is a legitimately fun bar — just come for the bourbon and craft beer, not the wine. If you need a glass, grab the Elmaro Rosa to support a local producer and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
College Area / Mount Royal · Duluth · American Gastropub
Tavern on the Hill is not a destination wine spot, but it's a fair, unpretentious list that earns its keep in a fun room. If you're in the neighborhood and want a decent glass with your pizza, you won't leave disappointed — just don't come in expecting anything beyond the basics.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
