The Eastern Med Deserves a Seat at the Table
Penn Quarter · Baltimore · Mediterranean (Turkish, Greek, Lebanese) · Visit Website ↗
Updated July 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 26, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Zaytinya’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The list is short by fine dining standards — maybe 80 to 120 bottles — but it's doing something almost no one else in DC bothers to do: it takes Eastern Mediterranean wine seriously. Lebanon and Greece aren't the footnote here; they're the whole point. That alone earns some respect before you've ordered a single meze.
Zaytinya leans hard into the regions that actually match what's on the plate — Naoussa, Santorini, Crete, and Lebanon anchor the list, with Château Musar showing up in multiple vintages and formats (Jeune Blanc, Rosé, the Levantine, and proper library bottles going back to 2001). Alpha Estate represents the northern Greek contingent with PDO Amyndeon and PGI Florina bottlings that most restaurants wouldn't even know to stock. There are gaps — don't come looking for deep Burgundy or a Napa splurge option — but within its lane, this list punches well above its weight. A sommelier is on staff, and you can feel it in the curation.
Twelve by-the-glass options is a solid count, and the pricing — $12 to $20 a pour — feels honest given what's on offer. The Kir-Yianni Akakies from Naoussa at $17 is a standout pour, and the Matthiasson Skin Ferment showing up by the glass at $14 is borderline absurd value. Rotation appears to happen with the seasons, which means the list stays fresh and gives regulars a reason to keep checking back.
Matthiasson Skin Ferment 2022 — $14
This bottle retails around $35 and Zaytinya is pouring it by the glass for $14. That's not a typo. An amber wine from one of California's most thoughtful producers at a price that would be fair for a grocery store plonk — drink it while they're still pricing it this way.
Château Musar Jeune Blanc
Most people at this table will order red or grab the rosé without a second thought. The Musar Jeune Blanc is quieter and stranger — bright acidity, oxidative tension, and a weight that makes it feel like the perfect bridge between the mezze spreads and the heavier lamb dishes. It gets overlooked every time.
Château Musar Levantine
The prestige Musar bottles are a lovely flex on the list, but the markup climbs noticeably as you move into the older vintages and premium tiers. If you're paying toward the top of that $180 ceiling, you're paying for the name recognition more than you're getting deal value — the younger, more accessible Musar expressions give you the same house character for significantly less.
Kir-Yianni Akakies 2018 + Octopus Santorini
Akakies is a rosé from Xinomavro — which means it has the grip and savory backbone to stand up to charred octopus without getting steamrolled. The bright red fruit plays off the lemon and olive oil while the acidity cuts through any richness. It's the obvious call and it's still the right one.
The Bottom Line
Zaytinya is doing something genuinely rare: building a wine list that actually matches the food it's meant to accompany, at prices that don't feel punishing. If you've been sleeping on Greek and Lebanese wine, this is a low-risk, high-reward place to wake up.
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Give the international and local sections a look before defaulting to Burgundy. Sula at $70 and Old Westminster at $90 offer different budget options. These are posted bottle prices, not guaranteed stock; confirm availability. This menu guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
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Surprising Depth
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Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Clipper Mill · Baltimore · American, Farm to Table
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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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