The Settlers Inn
Pocono hideaway punching well above its weight
Hawley · Hawley · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You're an hour from anywhere, tucked into a Arts and Crafts inn in the Pocono Mountains, and the wine list has Kistler Chardonnay and Stag's Leap Cabernet on it — that's not what you expect when you pull off Route 6. Wine Spectator has handed this place a Best of Award of Excellence since 2022, and flipping through the list, you believe it. This is a serious program hiding in a very quiet zip code.
Selection Deep Dive
Two hundred to three hundred-plus bottles anchored in California and Burgundy, with solid representation from France, Oregon, Italy, Spain, and Bordeaux rounding things out. The California backbone is genuinely strong — Kistler, Caymus, Ridge Vineyards, and Stag's Leap aren't filler picks, they're the real thing. Oregon gets a proper nod via Domaine Drouhin, and Louis Jadot holds down the Burgundy end without being the lazy default it is at lesser lists. The gaps show up in depth beyond the headliners — this isn't a cellar you get lost in for an hour, but what's here is chosen with intention.
By the Glass
Twelve to twenty pours by the glass is genuinely generous for a rural Pennsylvania inn, and the range tracks the bottle list well enough that you're not stuck choosing between the house Chardonnay and nothing. Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling and Meiomi Pinot Noir anchor the approachable end, giving the table something easy while more curious drinkers explore the bottle list. Rotation appears limited — this isn't a by-the-glass program that surprises you on return visits, but the floor is high enough that you won't feel stranded.
Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel — $55
Ridge Zinfandel at a Pocono Mountains inn feels almost too good to be true. It's a benchmark California producer at a price point that doesn't punish you for ordering it, and it drinks far above what you'd expect at this tier on a rural restaurant list.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir
Most tables at a place like this reach for the Caymus or the Stag's Leap, and the Drouhin Oregon sits quietly on the list getting overlooked. It's a Franco-Oregon hybrid that drinks with real elegance — lighter on its feet than the California heavyweights and a much better call with half the menu.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is a fine grocery store wine at a grocery store price. On a list with Domaine Drouhin and Louis Jadot within range, spending your pour on this one is leaving money — and experience — on the table.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir + Pan-seared duck breast
Duck wants something with enough red fruit to stand up to the richness but enough acid and structure to cut through the fat — Drouhin Oregon does exactly that without overwhelming the kitchen's work. It's the right call and most people at this restaurant will order the Caymus instead.
🎲 The Bottom Line
For a romantic inn in the middle of nowhere, The Settlers Inn has absolutely no business having a wine list this good — and that's exactly why it's worth the drive. If you're doing the Poconos, eat here and drink something from this list.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.