River Views, Decent Pours, No Surprises
Riverside · La Crosse · Seasonal American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 19, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed The Waterfront Restaurant & Tavern’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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.
· La Crosse · Wine Bar
The Wine Guyz earns its Wild Card badge by being something La Crosse didn't necessarily need but clearly does: a real wine bar with range, a relaxed atmosphere, and food that goes beyond bar snacks. We'd send a curious wine drinker here without hesitation — just go in ready to ask questions, since the list doesn't live online and the real program reveals itself in person.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· La Crosse · Hotel Restaurant / American
This is a wine list that exists because the hotel felt obligated to have one, not because anyone thought carefully about it. Order a beer or a cocktail and move on.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· La Crosse · Steakhouse / Smokehouse
Piggy's isn't trying to be a wine destination, and that's fine — but for a smokehouse in La Crosse, the list is fair, the pricing doesn't embarrass itself, and there are a couple of genuinely solid bottles if you know where to look. Order the Seghesio, eat the ribs, and leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · La Crosse · French-Influenced New American
For a hotel restaurant in La Crosse, The Charmant's wine list is a genuine surprise — thoughtfully assembled, fairly priced, and hiding at least two or three bottles that serious wine drinkers would seek out anywhere. Send a friend here and tell them to order the Radikon.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· La Crosse · Steakhouse / American
Freight House is a dependable steakhouse wine list — fair prices, familiar names, no nasty surprises. If you're looking for discovery, look elsewhere; if you're looking for a solid bottle to go with a good cut of meat in La Crosse, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Onalaska · La Crosse · American / Supper-Club Style
Blue Moon is a dependable neighborhood spot that takes its wine list seriously enough to give you real options without overcomplicating things. Send a friend here if they want a lake view, a fair pour of Chianti, and no stress — just don't send them expecting adventure.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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