Steak-house staples with a few smart surprises
· Hilton Head Island · Modern American steak & seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 18, 2026
RagingWine reviewed WiseGuys’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Eighty labels at a Hilton Head steak and seafood spot — that's a real wine list, not an afterthought. The structure skews California-heavy with a respectable nod to Italy and a port program that actually shows some range. First read is comfortable and predictable, which is either reassuring or a little boring depending on your mood.
The California backbone is solid: DAOU Reserve from Paso Robles, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Paradigm out of Oakville, and Swanson Napa Valley give red-wine drinkers plenty to work with. Italy gets a decent showing — Lamole di Lamole and Carpineto cover Chianti Classico territory, and the Banfi Belnero Super Tuscan keeps things interesting on the heavier end. A Pine Ridge Chenin Viognier blend and a Domaine de Paris Provençal rosé offer relief for white and lighter-wine drinkers who aren't ordering a rib-eye. The list doesn't venture far off the beaten path, but what's here is broadly well-chosen for the format.
Four glass pours is a short runway for an 80-bottle list — you're essentially picking from a tasting menu of one. Pinot Envy by the glass at $18 and Taylor Fladgate Ruby Port at $11 are the notable anchors, with Fonseca 20 Year Tawny at $17 rounding out a genuinely solid port section for a beach-town steakhouse. If none of the four glass options land for you, you're committed to a bottle.
The Bottom Line
WiseGuys isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the list is thoughtful enough that you won't feel abandoned. The port selection alone is worth a nod, and the California reds give steak fans real choices rather than the usual filler. Just know that four glass pours means you're probably going bottles — budget accordingly, because markups appear to lean toward the steep side.
· Hilton Head Island · Seafood & New American
Red Fish is a reliable, polished option for a wine-forward dinner on Hilton Head — just don't expect discoveries or deals. Come for the occasion, not the adventure.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Hilton Head Island · Wine bar & retail
Corks Wine Co. appears to be more of a winemaking kit retailer than a wine bar in the traditional sense, and the list reflects that. If you're on Hilton Head and need an actual glass of wine, keep driving.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Hilton Head Island · Steakhouse
Crane's Tavern won't make any top wine lists, but for Hilton Head, the by-the-glass program is unusually honest and the pricing doesn't insult you. If you're eating steak here, you have solid options — and that Brocard Bourgogne Blanc is a legitimate surprise.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Hilton Head Island · Seafood & American
Poseidon isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's a fair, functional list that punches above its beach-town weight class. If you're ordering oysters and want something more considered than a generic Pinot Grigio, there are real options here.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Shelter Cove · Hilton Head Island · Seafood / New American
Sea Salt isn't trying to win a wine list award and it shows, but it's not trying to rip you off on selection either — just on price. If you're already there for the scallops and the view, the wine list will serve you fine; just set your expectations to vacation mode and not discovery mode.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Harbour Town / Sea Pines · Hilton Head Island · Resort / American
The Harbour Town Clubhouse wine list is exactly what it needs to be for its audience — familiar, functional, and unlikely to offend anyone in a golf shirt. Just know going in that you're paying resort prices for resort selections, and calibrate your expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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