Vic's on the River

Vic's wine list reads like a riverfront dinner safety net—nothing adventurous, but nothing catastrophic. It's the kind of list where you know exactly what you're getting before you even open it: California Cabs, Oregon Pinots, maybe a Sancerre if you're feeling continental.

The list leans heavily into recognizable American producers with a sprinkling of European crowd-pleasers. You'll find your Napa heavyweights like Caymus and Silver Oak alongside safer Willamette Valley picks. The Old World section feels like an afterthought—predictable Chiantis, a token Rioja, maybe a Côtes du Rhône that's been on the list since 2019. There's no real regional depth here, just broad strokes designed to make tourists comfortable. The absence of anything natural, orange, or remotely adventurous tells you everything: this list exists to not offend anyone.

The glass pour program sticks to the script with eight to ten options that rotate seasonally at best. Expect a Paso Robles Cab, a Russian River Chard, and a Provençal rosé in summer months. Pours are generous but prices creep toward $14-16 for wines you'd find at Total Wine for $18 a bottle. The upside: they're reliable, the downside: they're boring.