Burgundy Depth Hidden in Plain Indianapolis Sight
Indianapolis · Indianapolis · French, Japanese · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Vida, you get the immediate sense that someone here takes wine very seriously — the kind of list that references Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Harlan Estate in the same breath as a tasting menu in Indianapolis is not an accident. Sommelier Jared May has built something that would earn respect in any major city, let alone the Midwest. The French-Japanese dining room sets the tone: refined, intentional, no wasted moves.
With 300 to 500 bottles anchored in California and Burgundy, this list punches well above its zip code. Producers like Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet, Domaine Dujac Morey-Saint-Denis, and Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin represent genuine Burgundy depth — not token bottles bought to impress, but a considered selection across appellations. On the California side, Kistler Vineyards Chardonnay and Aubert sit alongside Opus One and Harlan Estate, covering the prestige end with conviction. The Franco-Japanese cuisine concept actually makes this list smarter: you need wines that can handle both precision and umami, and the range here accommodates that challenge.
Twenty to thirty-five by-the-glass options at $12 to $25 is a genuinely solid program — enough range that you can explore across multiple courses without committing to a bottle. The upper end of that glass price reflects real wine going into real Burgundy stems, not house plonk dressed up. Rotation details aren't fully documented, but with a dedicated sommelier driving the program, stagnation seems unlikely.
Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin — $45–$70 (bottle estimate)
Faiveley is one of the most consistent houses in Gevrey-Chambertin and routinely gets overlooked next to the flashier Burgundy names on this list. In a lineup that includes DRC, it's the pick for anyone who wants serious Pinot Noir without the trophy-wine tax.
Domaine Dujac Morey-Saint-Denis
Dujac is a cult name among Burgundy obsessives but flies under the radar for most diners who see Gevrey or Chambolle on the list instead. Morey-Saint-Denis is the quieter village between two famous ones, and Dujac's version is silky, complex, and worth every penny — especially on a tasting menu where you want something that evolves across courses.
Opus One
Opus One is a beautiful wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles in America at any restaurant. At a place where the Burgundy selection is this strong, ordering Opus One is like going to a great ramen shop and ordering the salad. You're paying for the label, not the experience.
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet + Tasting menu fish or scallop course
Leflaive's Puligny-Montrachet has the tension and minerality to cut through rich butter-based French preparations while holding its own against the subtle brine and umami of Japanese technique. Whatever the seasonal fish or shellfish course looks like, this Chardonnay is built for exactly that intersection.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Vida is the kind of wine program that makes you wish more mid-sized American cities had a Jared May running their lists — deep Burgundy, serious California, and a dining concept that actually justifies both. Yes, you'll pay for it, but this is a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winner for real reasons.
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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