River Views, Decent Pours, No Surprises
Riverside · La Crosse · Seasonal American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Waterfront is exactly what you'd expect from a casual fine-dining spot on the Mississippi — familiar names, approachable prices, nothing that requires a second look. It's a list built to not offend anyone, which means it won't excite anyone either. That said, $7.50 to $15 a glass is a price range we can work with.
Twenty labels spread across California, France, Argentina, Italy, New Zealand, and Germany — it reads more like a greatest hits playlist than a curated list. You've got Wente and Hess holding down California, Catena representing Argentina, and a Chateau Vignelaure Rosé from Provence that's arguably the most interesting thing on here. The gaps are real: no Pinot Noir worth mentioning, no Italian reds beyond the obvious, and the Germany and Italy entries feel like afterthoughts. Still, for La Crosse, Wisconsin, this isn't lazy — it's calibrated to the crowd.
Ten of the twenty labels are available by the glass, which is a solid ratio and genuinely the right way to drink here. The pours span enough styles — crisp whites, a rosé, reds of varying weight — that a table of mixed drinkers won't argue. Rotation doesn't appear to be a thing, so don't expect anything seasonal or spontaneous.
Chateau Vignelaure Rosé Provence — $14
A Provence rosé from a producer with serious Cabernet Sauvignon roots — Vignelaure has been around since the 1960s and makes structured, food-friendly rosé that retails well above what you'd expect for a $14 glass. On a patio overlooking the river, this is the obvious call.
Catena Malbec
Most people here are reaching for the Wente Cab out of habit, but the Catena Malbec is the smarter play. Catena is one of Argentina's most respected producers — this isn't bulk grocery store juice — and it's consistently underordered at spots like this. Bold fruit, real structure, drinks way above its price point.
Noble Vines Chardonnay
Noble Vines is a high-volume Central Coast brand engineered for easy restaurant placement, not for drinking. With Hess Estate Chardonnay on the same list for comparable money, there's no reason to land here.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc + Friday Fish Fry
Kim Crawford is ubiquitous for a reason — bright citrus, grassy snap, and enough acidity to cut through fried batter without overpowering the fish. It's a classic move, and on a Friday night by the river, it works every time.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Waterfront isn't trying to be a wine destination, and it knows it — but fair prices, a reasonable by-the-glass spread, and that Vignelaure Rosé make it more than fine for a river-view dinner. Send a friend here for the patio and the fish fry; just steer them toward the right glass.
Cass Street Historic District · La Crosse · French and European Fine Dining
Le Chateau is a genuinely lovely place to eat, and the wine list has flashes of good instinct — the Ott Rosé, the Vouvray, the Loire focus. But unnamed producers, punishing markups on the house selections, and a static list hold it back from being a real wine destination. Order the Domaines Ott, skip the Malbec, and let the room do most of the heavy lifting.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · La Crosse · Cocktail & Wine Lounge
Come for the live music, come for the cocktails — but don't come for the wine list. The pricing is fair enough that ordering a glass won't sting, but the selection gives you almost nothing to get excited about.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/Riverside · La Crosse · Steakhouse and Seafood, American Fine Dining
The Freighthouse won't blow any wine geeks away, but it's a fair, unpretentious list that does its job well in the context of a classic American steakhouse — and that port selection is a genuine reason to linger. If you're in La Crosse and want something reliable with your prime rib, you could do a lot worse.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
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
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