Zingerman's Roadhouse
Michigan soul food meets genuinely thoughtful wine
Ann Arbor · Detroit · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 22, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You come here for the fried chicken and the mac 'n cheese, and then the wine list quietly surprises you. It's 36 bottles — not deep, but curated with a real point of view: American producers, women winemakers, and underrepresented voices get the floor here. That's not something you see at most comfort-food institutions, and it earns some real respect.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans hard into American terroir, which makes sense given the Roadhouse's whole mission of celebrating regional foodways. Michigan shows up proudly with L. Mawby and Laurentide representing the Leelanau Peninsula. Carol Shelton's Wild Thing Viognier from Placer County adds some California firepower, and the Rare Wine Co. Madeira is a genuinely adventurous inclusion that you'd never expect alongside a bowl of gumbo. The focus on women and underrepresented winemakers gives this list a spine that most casual American spots completely lack.
By the Glass
Eight to twelve options by the glass is a decent spread for a place this size. The rotation appears to track with the bottle list's ethos — American-focused, purposeful. We'd like to see a bit more transparency on what's actually pouring by the glass on a given night, but the foundation is there.
Carol Shelton 'Wild Thing' Damiano Vineyard Viognier Placer County 2023 — null
Carol Shelton is a legend of California winemaking and this Viognier from a single Placer County vineyard is the kind of bottle that rewards curiosity. It fits the list's American-focus ethos while offering real winemaker pedigree you'd expect to pay more for elsewhere.
The Rare Wine Co. Historic Series Madeira Savannah Verdelho Special Reserve NV
Most people stare right past Madeira on a wine list — that's a mistake. This Verdelho is nutty, rich, and practically immortal in the glass. At a place serving NOLA Gumbo and hearty American fare, this is the wildest and most rewarding pour on the list. Order it after dinner or alongside something savory and bold.
Laurentide Sweet Riesling Leelanau Peninsula MI
Supporting Michigan wine is admirable, but a 200% markup — $54 at the table for a bottle that retails around $18 — is hard to swallow no matter how much you love the state. The sweet Riesling style also won't do much for you with this menu. Skip it and spend those dollars elsewhere on the list.
Carol Shelton 'Wild Thing' Damiano Vineyard Viognier Placer County 2023 + NOLA Gumbo
A full-bodied, aromatic Viognier can take the heat and spice of a proper gumbo and hold its own — the stone fruit and floral weight in the wine cut right through the roux-richness without getting steamrolled. It's a confident match that reflects both the wine's California swagger and the dish's Southern roots.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Zingerman's Roadhouse is doing something genuinely interesting with a small wine list — the intentionality around American producers and underrepresented winemakers punches above the restaurant's casual comfort-food weight class. The markups keep it from being a go-to wine destination, but if you're already here for the fried chicken, don't sleep on the Madeira.
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