Downtown Belmont's California-Leaning Comfort Wine Stop
Belmont · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 22, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The String Bean’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Walking into The String Bean, the wine list feels like a greatest hits album from Napa — you know every song, and they're all good songs. It's approachable, it's comfortable, and it fits the warm downtown Belmont vibe without trying to be anything it's not. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2024, and you can see why: this list is curated with intention, even if the intention is to please rather than surprise.
The list runs 50 to 100 bottles deep with a clear California bias — Caymus, Jordan, Stags' Leap, Rombauer, Duckhorn, Sonoma-Cutrer — the kind of names that sell themselves and don't need a floor staff explanation. There's nothing from the Old World worth noting and no detours into natural wine or anything remotely adventurous, which is fine for what this place is. Gaps in Burgundy, Rhône, and anything south of France won't bother the regulars here, but adventurous drinkers will hit a ceiling fast. Bottle prices cap around $120, keeping the list accessible even if the markup isn't always friendly.
Ten to sixteen options by the glass is a solid pour program for a neighborhood spot of this size — enough to give the table a fighting chance without overwhelming anyone. We'd expect the Sonoma-Cutrer and Rombauer to anchor the white side while Caymus probably does the heavy lifting on the red end. No visible rotation or seasonal BTG program to speak of, which is a missed opportunity in a list this California-centric.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay — $45
If it's priced near the lower end of the bottle range, this is a genuinely well-made, vineyard-specific Chardonnay that punches above what most casual diners expect from a place like this — restrained oak, real acidity, and a wine that actually suits the food.
Stags' Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags' Leap Winery (not Stag's Leap Wine Cellars — note the apostrophe) gets overshadowed by its more famous Napa neighbor, but it's a consistently elegant, food-friendly Cab that most guests will walk right past in favor of the Caymus. Their loss.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Look, Caymus is fine — we're not here to fight the internet — but it's the most marked-up, most over-ordered bottle on every list like this in America. You're paying for the name recognition more than what's in the glass, and the Jordan or Stags' Leap will give you more for less.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot + Shrimp & Grits
Duckhorn's Merlot is plush and low-key — rich without being a tannic bruiser — which means it won't steamroll the savory, creamy weight of a proper Southern shrimp and grits. It bridges the gap between a red wine drinker and a dish that usually wants white.
The Bottom Line
The String Bean is a genuinely good neighborhood wine destination for Belmont — California-focused, reliably executed, and backed by a real WS credential. If you want exploration, keep driving; if you want a solid Cab with your Boom Boom Shrimp, you're home.
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eagle Ranch · Vail · American
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Traverse City · American
Warehouse Kitchen + Cork won't win any awards for depth or ambition, but it plays its hand honestly — fair prices, solid local representation, and a full by-the-glass program that respects your wallet. If you're in Traverse City and want a glass of something local with a water view, this works.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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