California Classics With an Ocean View
Huntington Beach · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 10, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Watertable’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Sitting inside the Kimpton Shorebreak Resort on Pacific Coast Highway, Watertable's wine list feels like a love letter to California — polished, confident, and a little predictable. The list is curated rather than encyclopedic, which works fine for a beachfront hotel dining room. You're not going to be surprised, but you're not going to be disappointed either.
The 150-250 bottle list leans hard into California, with marquee names like Kistler, Cakebread, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, and Opus One anchoring the selections. It's a greatest-hits approach — every wine a confident recommendation at a steakhouse or resort, but not a lot of left-field picks for the curious drinker. The inclusion of Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir shows some reach beyond state lines, and Duckhorn Merlot is a crowd-pleaser that actually earns its spot. Wine Spectator has recognized the list with an Award of Excellence since 2019, which tracks — this is a well-maintained program, even if it plays it safe.
With 20-35 options by the glass running $12-$22, the pour program is one of the stronger aspects of the list. That range gives you real options across varietals without committing to a bottle. Rotation appears limited — this feels more like a standing menu than a program that changes with the seasons.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $180
Jordan consistently punches above its price point as a bottle, and at a resort on PCH, finding it at the lower end of the bottle range makes it a relative steal compared to what surrounds it. It's the move if you're splitting a bottle over a ribeye.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir
Everyone at this table is ordering Kistler or Cakebread on autopilot, but Drouhin's Oregon operation quietly makes some of the most elegant Pinot on the West Coast. It's the most interesting bottle on this list and most people walk right past it.
Opus One
Opus One is a trophy bottle that belongs on a list like this — but in a resort setting with steep markups, you're paying hard for the name. The actual drinking experience rarely justifies what hotel dining rooms charge for it. Save Opus for somewhere it's priced with a little respect.
Kistler Chardonnay + Seared Scallops
Kistler's Chardonnay brings enough richness and acidity to stand up to butter-finished scallops without drowning them — and with ocean air coming off the Pacific outside, it's a genuinely great moment.
The Bottom Line
Watertable is a reliable, well-staffed wine program that leans on California's biggest names and does so without apology. Send a friend here who wants a great glass of Silver Oak with a prime ribeye — just remind them to skip the Opus One and let the sommelier steer them toward the Drouhin.
Huntington Beach · Huntington Beach · American, French
Henry's is a reliable, well-tended California wine program with a genuine expert behind it — not flashy, but consistently good. If you're eating on PCH and want a bottle that was actually chosen with care, this is your spot.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Huntington Beach · Huntington Beach · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Huntington Beach isn't a destination wine list, but it's more thoughtful than you'd expect from a national chain — especially in the Argentine and Chilean sections. Send your steak-loving friend here, point them toward the South American reds, and let the meat do the rest.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eagle Ranch · Vail · American
The Wild Sage is your dependable neighborhood spot in Eagle Ranch — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you at dinner either. Watch the markups on the top-shelf Napa bottles and stick to the mid-range, and you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Traverse City · American
Warehouse Kitchen + Cork won't win any awards for depth or ambition, but it plays its hand honestly — fair prices, solid local representation, and a full by-the-glass program that respects your wallet. If you're in Traverse City and want a glass of something local with a water view, this works.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Truckee · Truckee · American
Sunnyside is a casual lodge restaurant wearing a serious wine list under its flannel — the markup is steep and it won't win any awards for staff expertise, but the producer lineup is legitimately impressive for where you're sitting. If you're already at the lake, this is absolutely worth ordering a real bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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