Art Bar Energy, Surprisingly Honest Pours
Ballston · Arlington · Contemporary American small plates with global influences · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 27, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You walk into WHINO expecting the wine list to be an afterthought — murals on every wall, DJ-ready energy, duck tacos on the menu — and honestly, the list is short enough to read in about 45 seconds. But the pricing is surprisingly honest for a spot that could easily get away with gouging on vibes alone.
Fifteen labels is not a deep cellar — it's a curated convenience store. The regional spread leans heavily on crowd-pleasers: Malbec from Mendoza, California Cab, Chianti, Côtes de Provence Rosé, and enough Prosecco variants to stock a brunch buffet. There's a Taylor Fladgate 10-Year Tawny Port on the list, which is the most interesting thing here and clearly a nod to the chocolate pairing program the restaurant leans into. Don't come expecting old-world exploration or anything off the beaten path — this list exists to keep the party moving.
One glass pour option is listed on their program at $9, which is either admirable minimalism or a sign that wine is genuinely secondary to the cocktail program. The actual glass pours we found across review sources include the Bieler Père et Fils Rosé, La Marca Prosecco, and the Joel Gott Cab — all approachable, none of them adventurous. Rotation doesn't appear to be a thing here.
Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec — $15
Retails for $19 and they're pouring it for $15 a glass — that's a rare thing in Arlington. Rich, fruit-forward, and holds up against the short rib poutine without flinching.
Taylor Fladgate 10-Year Tawny Port
Most people ordering duck tacos and lobster mac aren't even scanning this far down the list, which is their loss. A 10-year Tawny from Taylor Fladgate is a legitimate producer with a track record, and paired with the chocolate program WHINO runs, it's actually the most intentional wine choice on the entire list.
Piccini Chianti
A 33% markup on a $9 retail bottle is the one moment this list loses its composure. Piccini is grocery-aisle Chianti at a price that acts like it isn't. Nothing wrong with the wine per se, but there's no reason to pick it here when the Malbec is sitting right there at a better price and better value.
Bieler Père et Fils Côtes de Provence Rosé + Duck Tacos
Duck can bully lighter wines, but a structured Provence Rosé with its dry, savory backbone plays it just right — cuts through the richness without disappearing. It's the most food-friendly pour on the list and the duck tacos are the move anyway.
🎲 The Bottom Line
WHINO isn't a wine destination, but it's not pretending to be one either — the pricing is fair, the vibe is great, and if you find the Taylor Fladgate or order the Malbec, you'll leave happy. Send a friend here for a fun night out, not a deep dive into the cellar.
Clarendon · Arlington · Italian
Carbonara isn't a destination wine list, but it's a genuinely decent Italian program in a neighborhood that could easily get away with less effort. Come on a Wednesday, order the bottle, and stop overthinking it.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Clarendon · Arlington · Cafe, Bakery & Wine Bar
Northside Social is what happens when a great neighborhood cafe decides to actually care about wine — the list is small, priced right, and surprisingly well-traveled for a spot where half the room is on laptops. Send a friend here on a weeknight when they want something better than bar wine without making a whole production of it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Clarendon · Arlington · Champagne Bar & Small Plates
Ms. Peacock's earns its Wild Card badge by committing hard to a single-category concept and mostly pulling it off — the Crémant and Cava selections alone justify a visit. Just stay away from the still wine list, which exists only to remind you that the bubbles are the point.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Courthouse · Arlington · Wine bar with contemporary American and European-influenced small plates
Verre is the rare neighborhood wine bar where someone clearly gave a damn about the list — small-production focus, fair pricing, and staff that can actually guide you. If you're in Arlington and serious about what's in your glass, this is your spot.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
Arlington · Arlington · Spanish
SER is punching above its weight class for a casual Arlington tavern, and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence it's held since 2022 is earned. If you love Spain and want a serious Spanish list without a white-tablecloth price tag, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Arlington · Arlington · Steak House
Morton's Arlington is a reliable wine destination if you love California Cab and don't mind paying steakhouse prices for the privilege — it earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence by doing one thing very well and not straying from it. Send your Napa-obsessed friend here without hesitation; send your natural wine-curious friend somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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