Forest Acres' Dependable Pour, No Surprises
Forest Acres · Columbia · Contemporary American Bistro with Southern Influences · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 3, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Tombo Grille’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Tombo Grille reads like a greatest hits album you've heard a thousand times — Rombauer, Jordan, Kim Crawford, Duckhorn. It's comfortable, it's recognizable, and it'll keep most tables happy without a single moment of surprise. For a cozy neighborhood bistro in Forest Acres, that's probably the point.
The 60-100 bottle list leans heavily on California and New Zealand crowd-pleasers, with some French and Oregon bottles rounding out the edges. You're not going to find a Jura oddity or a grower Champagne hiding in the back pages — what you get is a well-curated selection of names that sell themselves. The California bias is strong, which works fine for the casual bistro format but leaves old-world lovers with limited options. There are no obvious glaring gaps in style coverage — reds, whites, and presumably some rosé are all present — but adventurous drinkers will likely feel underwhelmed.
With 15-25 options by the glass, Tombo Grille is genuinely generous here — that's a solid count for a neighborhood bistro of this size. The pours track the bottle list faithfully: expect the Kim Crawfords and Rombauers to anchor the by-the-glass lineup. No evidence of a rotating or curated glass program, which is a missed opportunity given the chef-driven seasonal menu.
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc — Unknown
It's a crowd-pleaser for a reason — bright, clean, and widely available at retail for under $15. If Tombo keeps the markup reasonable on this one, it's the most honest pour on the list and an easy yes for a glass at the bar.
Duckhorn Merlot
Merlot still carries the Sideways stigma for some diners, which means it's often overlooked. Duckhorn's version is legitimately well-made — rich and structured with real aging potential — and in a room full of people ordering Cabernet, you might just get the better glass at the table.
Rombauer Chardonnay
It's fine wine — nobody's arguing that — but Rombauer Chard is one of the most marked-up bottles in the American restaurant industry. You're paying a premium for the label recognition, and at most bistro price points, you're not getting fair value for what's in the glass. Order it at home where you control the margin.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Lamb Burger
Jordan Cab has enough structure and dark fruit to stand up to lamb's richness without steamrolling it. The Sonoma tannins complement the char on a grilled burger and keep the whole thing from feeling heavy — it's a natural match that doesn't require any convincing.
The Bottom Line
Tombo Grille isn't going to win any points for boldness, but it delivers exactly what Forest Acres wants: familiar wines, fair-enough execution, and a menu worth eating. Send a friend here for a reliable dinner out — just temper expectations if they're hoping to discover something new.
· Columbia · New American / Southern
Terra keeps it simple with an all-by-the-glass format, fair pricing, and a few genuinely interesting picks tucked inside a short list. It won't satisfy anyone looking for a deep cellar dive, but it absolutely does the job for a New American dinner in Columbia.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Columbia · Wine Bar
Vino Sabor is betting that Downtown Columbia is ready for a real wine bar, not just wine at a bar — and based on the vibe, they might be right. We'd go back with a curiosity about Italian wine and an open mind; just don't come expecting a deep cellar or a Burgundy nerd behind the counter.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbia · Spanish-inspired / tapas
This is a wine list built for people who aren't really thinking about wine, and honestly that might be the point. If you're serious about drinking well with your tapas, order a cocktail and revisit the wine program if they ever add a Txakoli or a Garnacha.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Irmo / Northwest Columbia · Columbia · Contemporary American-Italian
Travinia is a reliable neighborhood wine bar that gets the basics right — solid selection, good by-the-glass volume, food-friendly pours — without ever swinging for the fences. Send your friends here for a comfortable bottle with dinner, not for a wine discovery experience.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Sandhill · Columbia · Contemporary American-Italian
Travinia Sandhill is a reliable wine bar in a market that doesn't have many — not adventurous, not cheap, but consistent enough that you won't regret the reservation. Just steer clear of the obvious traps and you'll have a decent night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Columbia · Seafood
The Bluefish plays it safe and the pricing reflects more confidence than the list deserves, but the core selection is competent enough for a solid seafood dinner with the right pour. Stick to the whites, ask about the Albariño, and don't let anyone talk you into a $78 Cakebread.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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