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Back to beginning of articleRESTAURANTS WITH GREAT WINE LISTSAmaro Pizzeria and Vino Lounge The mostly moderately priced wine list straddles the Old and New Worlds, with Italy and California taking center stage. Sink back into a cushy sofa and enjoy a wine flight with friends, or peer into your date’s eyes over a wood-fired pizza or plate of pasta – much of it house-made – and whatever you do, don’t miss the meatballs. 28234 N. Tatum Blvd., Cave Creek, 480-502-1920
amaroaz.com# of wines by the glass: 25
# of wines by the bottle: 60
Events: Happy hour 4-6 p.m. M-Sa, $5 wines; live music W-Su; wine dinner every other month; blues dinner every other month.
Beckett’s TableFamilies flock to this rustic-meets-modern neighborhood eatery that dishes kid-friendly mac ’n’ cheese and grape juice with as much flavor and class as their adult counterparts of pork osso buco and Pillsbury Roan Red. The eatery earned a Wine Spectator Award for its affordable, savvy wine list. 3717 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, 602-954-1700
beckettstable.com# of wines by the glass: 41
# of wines by the bottle: 100+
Events: Half-priced bottles of Arizona wine on Su and half-bottles with assorted nibbles for $25 Tu-Th.
BLT Steak This bistro/steakhouse delivers with primo views and vino. With a chalkboard on one side and Camelback mountain on the other, the Laurent Tourondel-conceived restaurant offers an elevated dining experience complemented by nearly 600 wines. 5402 E. Lincoln Drive (Camelback Inn), Scottsdale, 480-905-7971
bltscottsdale.com# of wines by the glass: 30
# of wines by the bottle: 500+
Events: Happy hour daily (5-7 p.m.) includes six wines for $5; monthly wine dinner series.
Bourbon Steak The duck fat fries and striking decor – think FLW-esque geometry in a sleek black and taupe palette – are reason enough to visit Bourbon Steak. But the wine list is as decadent as Chef Michael Mina’s carnivore-godsend menu. 7575 E. Princess Drive (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess), Scottsdale, 480-513-6002
scottsdaleprincess.com# of wines by the glass: 25
# of wines by the bottle: 480
Events: Happy hour daily (5-7 p.m.) includes select $5 glasses; reverse happy hour (9 p.m.-close) includes select $5 dessert wines.
Caffe Boa Thanks to the owners’ Eastern European heritage and commitment to locavorism, the wine list is an intriguing blend of Croatian and Slovenian selections; boutique producers of sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines; and the usual vino suspects. The food is nearly as eclectic, with a nod toward Italian, Mediterranean, Cajun and Asian. 398 S. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480-968-9112
cafeboa.com# of wines by the glass: 30
# of wines by the bottle: 200
Events: Happy hour 4-7 p.m. daily, half off wines by the glass $10 or less; monthly wine events (tastings or dinners).
The Capital GrilleThis Wine Spectator Award-winner not only offers more than 450 wines perfectly calibrated to pair with their dry-aged steaks, caramelized fresh lobster and Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired environs, it also comes complete with personalized wine lockers that guests can lease annually to store their stellar collections. 16489 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-348-1700
thecapitalgrille.com# of wines by the glass: 36
# of wines by the bottle: 450+
Events: In summer, the Generous Pour event offers unlimited pours of nine master sommelier-selected wines for a mere $25.
Cartwright’sSavvy sommeliers (sweet, never surly) help guests navigate the wine list, which cherry-picks the best from Arizona to New Zealand, and propose perfect pairings with top-notch all-natural steaks, ranch-style entrées, and sustainable seafood. Decor is upscale Western, and clientele is a cross-section of kicked-back Cave Creekers and day-tripping city slickers. 6710 E. Cave Creek Rd., Cave Creek, 480-488-8031
cartwrightssonoranranchhouse.com# of wines by the glass: 26
# of wines by the bottle: 150
Events: Happy hour 4:30-6:30 p.m. daily, $5 select wines.
Christopher’s and Crush LoungeFrancophiles, take heart. Christopher’s has your back. The menu and wine list have an undeniably French accent, but patrons who crave central European sweets or a jammy tempranillo will feel catered to, too. The space smacks of early 20th century bistro – stylish and sophisticated – but with a modern and comfortable touch. 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-522-2344,
christophersaz.com# of wines by the glass: 49
# of wines by the bottle: 300+
Events: Happy hour (3-6 p.m. daily) features half off glasses. Seven-course wine dinners are offered frequently, and the annual Bastille Day menu is a treat for anyone’s inner revolutionary.
CorkWines here veer toward classic favorites, predominantly from the Western U.S. and Europe, with a few fun and fancy ones for good measure. Imaginatively crafted fine dining dishes hold their own, and the peaceful, neutral-toned dining room is almost as soothing as the vino. 4991 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler, 480-883-3773
corkrestaurant.net# of wines by the glass: 19
# of wines by the bottle: 377
Events: Happy hour 5-6:30 p.m. Tu-F, $4 house wines; four-course chef’s tasting menu the last Sunday of the month, $35 plus $15 for three wine pairings.
Different Pointe of ViewYou know the wine list is serious when the French section is separated into “Left Bank” and “Right Bank.” That’s to be expected from a winner of the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence (a higher honor than the basic Award of Excellence) for more than 20 years. Guests dig into decadent dishes from 1,800 feet up Lookout Mountain, with an expansive view of the Valley below. 11111 N. Seventh St., Phoenix, 602-866-6350
tapatiocliffshilton.com# of wines by the glass: 25-35
# of wines by the bottle: About 700
Events: Monthly “Insider’s View” dinners (except December and summer) feature small groups with chef preparations tableside and guest winemakers ($99 per person).
Duck & DecanterIf Tolkien’s Middle Earth had an upscale deli, it would look a lot like Duck & Decanter. The rustic atmosphere is one reason Phoenicians have supported this sandwich-centric eatery for nearly four decades. The wine bar, with its Old World charm, features mainstream and obscure offerings, and upon request, the staff will order wines they do not regularly carry. 1651 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-274-5429
duckanddecanter.com# of wines by the glass: 15
# of wines by the bottle: 300+
Events: Happy hour (4-7 p.m. M-F) offers $3 house wine glasses. Live music is a weekend staple between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Watch for Duck & Decanter’s 40th birthday celebration at the end of November.
Durant’s
With its dimly-lit dining room, kitchen entrance, and intriguing history, Durant’s is the kind of place politicians and sports figures go to be seen – or not to be seen. The wine list spans $6 glasses of chardonnay to $1,500 bottles of cabernet sauvignon, all of which are hand-picked to pair with steaks or seafood and cater to a local clientele that owner Carol McElroy describes as “very wine knowledgeable.” 2611 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-264-5967
durantsaz.com# of wines by the glass: 26
# of wines by the bottle: 350+
Events: Private events only.
FnBWhen FnB hit the Old Town Scottsdale scene, it made major news for its Arizona-dominated wine list. The menu is equally state-centric, spotlighting a seasonally changing array of local veggies and simple yet robustly flavorful meats characterized by a dash of whimsy. 7133 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale, 480-425-9463
fnbrestaurant.com# of wines by the glass: 10
# of wines by the bottle: 32
Events: FnB’s “Meet the Winemaker” series begins in October. Brunch for 10 also includes visits with a local vintner and farmer. And adventurous patrons can jet to a private island at Roosevelt Lake for a unique meal and an audience with the featured winemaker.
Ground Control This West Valley hangout just relocated to larger digs in Litchfield Park, and with 450-plus bottles, it’ll need the space. Order a draft wine and wood-fired pizza in the cafe-like lounge. 4860 N. Litchfield Rd., Litchfield Park, 623-535-9066
groundxcontrol.com# of wines by the glass: 40
# of wines by the bottle: 450+
Events: Live music F (8 p.m.-close); wine tastings Tu (6-8 p.m.) and Sa (7 p.m.-close); happy hour (4-6 p.m. daily) includes $2 off glasses.
House of Tricks Lauded for its lush alfresco ambiance, cute-as-a-button dual bungalows, patio bar built around ash and chinaberry trees, and impeccably sourced seasonal dishes, HoT also has a first-rate wine list. It’s like taking a wine tour of the world, from Finger Lakes, New York to Marlborough, New Zealand – and that’s just by the glass. 114 E. Seventh St., Tempe, 480-968-1114
houseoftricks.com# of wines by the glass: About 30
# of wines by the bottle: About 300
Events: Happy hour (4-6 p.m. M-Sa) offers $2 off wines by the glass; wine tastings the last Tu of the month.
Il VinaioSelections here lean toward domestic but not typical. Robust reds from Paso Robles, Napa and Washington are show-stoppers on the reds list, while palate-coating, lush viognier and chardonnay star on the whites. All stand up well to hearty pastas and homey entrées, or nosh on bruschetta or flatbread before a Mesa Arts Center show. 270 W. Main St., Mesa, 480-649-6476
ilvinaio.com# of wines by the glass: 37
# of wines by the bottle: 80
Events: Happy hour (2-6 p.m. Tu-Su) offers $2 off wines by the glass; two-for-one glasses of wine Tu and noon-4 p.m. W-F; monthly wine pairing dinners; live music Sa, sometimes Th-F.
Il TerrazzoWith Arizona’s first master sommelier, Greg Tresner, at the beverage helm, it’s no surprise this opulent restaurant boasts a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence – one step above its Award of Excellence. Italian wines take pride of place to complement the contemporary Italian-American cuisine, but selections span the globe, including several of Arizona’s best. 6000 E. Camelback Rd. (The Phoenician), Scottsdale, 480-423-2425
thephoenician.com# of wines by the glass: 23
# of wines by the bottle: About 2,500
Events: The Grape & Grain store at the Phoenician offers a complimentary Wine Infusion & Cheese Tasting, plus an Arizona wine tasting ($10) and other tastings ($15-$20) daily.
J&G Steakhouse J&G departs from the supper-club-style steakhouse norm with a glittering, modern restaurant framed by expansive views. That avant-garde streak extends to the wine list, with its canny blend of on-the-rise vintners and blue-chip labels, plus a handful of Arizona wines. Naturally, the Jean-Georges Vongerichten-helmed restaurant’s food will knock your gastronomic socks off. 6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-214-8000
jgsteakhousescottsdale.com# of wines by the glass: 23
# of wines by the bottle: 368
Events: Happy hour and live music Th (4-7 p.m.), $6 glasses.
Lon’s at the HermosaWine Spectator magazine has given the wine program at Lon’s an Award of Excellence every year since 1996. In addition to housing endless bottles of wines hailing everywhere from Arizona to South Africa, the sexy subterranean wine cellar provides a cool, candlelit setting for a romantic vino-paired dinner. Cowboy upscale! 5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Paradise Valley, 602-955-7878
hermosainn.com/lons# of wines by the glass: 23
# of wines by the bottle: 500+
Events: Wine & Tapas 5-7 p.m. W ($10-$20 flights)
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Maizie’s Café & Bistro
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Maizie’s Café & BistroLong before locavorism had a name, Phoenicians flocked to this sunny eatery for to-die-for wingless buffalo dip and burgers. Highlights of the small but affordable wine selection include a peachy white sangria and a “buy five glasses, get one free” Wine of the Month program. Bottles can be purchased for $10-$15 and gift wrapped for that friend’s birthday you (almost) forgot. 4750 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, 602-274-2828
maiziescafe.com# of wines by the glass: 16+
# of wines by the bottle: 35+
Events: Happy hour (2-6 p.m. M-Sa, 2-4 p.m. Su) offers $2-$3 glasses; $10 off bottles of wine on M.
Mastro’s Restaurants Mastro’s is your father’s steakhouse: a lush, patrician setting where diners can graze on perfectly-executed steaks, seafood and libations. The three Scottsdale locations of this local brand gone national have each won Wine Spectator awards. Mastro’s Steakhouse: 8852 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, 480-585-9500; Mastro’s City Hall: 6991 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, 480-941-4700; Mastro’s Ocean Club: 15045 N. Kierland Blvd., Scottsdale, 480-443-8555
mastrosrestaurants.com# of wines by the glass: 55
# of wines by the bottle: 400
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Rancho Pinot
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Rancho PinotRancho Pinot is a welcome destination for oenophiles who appreciate the Southwestern aesthetic. The pliant, leather-bound menus hint at the sophisticated yet relaxed vibe throughout. The wine list does right by California, but Europe is well-represented, and don’t miss the six handcrafted tap wines. The fare is all about fresh, seasonal flavors that fairly leap off the plate. 6208 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 480-367-8030
ranchopinot.com# of wines by the glass: 20
# of wines by the bottle: 100+
Events: Half off select bottles W. Occasional wine dinners and tastings.
Sassi If Sassi’s replicated villa doesn’t conjure Tuscany, its strictly Italian wine list surely will. Though it’s always earned praise for its romantic ambiance and Southern Italian fare, the four-diamond restaurant can now add another accolade to its wall – Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for the third consecutive year. 10455 E. Pinnacle Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, 480-502-9095
sassi.biz# of wines by the glass: 10
# of wines by the bottle: 300
Events: Happy hour (5-7 p.m. Tu-Th) includes $7 glasses.
Seasons 52 Master sommelier George Miliotes developed this concise but satisfying list, which ranges from stalwarts to a good-value section called “Drink Them Before They Become Famous.” The modern interior features numerous rooms – including a piano bar – and every dish on the seasonal, contemporary menu is 475 calories or less. 2502 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-840-5252
seasons52.com# of wines by the glass: 52
# of wines by the bottle: 100
Events: Live music nightly.
Tarbell’sThis Camelback Corridor mainstay found its stride early on and never lost pace, thanks to a refined but comfortable ambiance that makes it a mainstay for casual dinners, special occasions and after-work drinks alike. The expansive wine list guides oenophiles on a precise tour of California, France and Italy, with forays into more foreign lands. Don’t skip the shishito pepper or black chickpea appetizers. 3213 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-955-8100
tarbells.com# of wines by the glass: 36
# of wines by the bottle: 450-550
Events: Tarbell’s is a special spot for themed meals, such as farm-to-table dinners, winemaker dinners and dinners for the arts.
Va BeneItaly takes the spotlight here, naturalmente, with an especially fine cross-section of pinot grigio, chianti and amarone, but California is represented with a lineup of loveable standards. Even the “vino della casa,” or house wines, are respectable. All complement classic pasta, meat and seafood dishes that make this an Ahwatukee fave. 4647 E. Chandler Blvd., Phoenix, 480-706-4070
vabeneaz.com# of wines by the glass: 40
# of wines by the bottle: 130
Events: Happy hour (4-7 p.m. daily) features $1 off house wines; live entertainment 9 p.m.-1 a.m. F-Sa.
Vincent on CamelbackVincent’s Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence-winning wine list is so long it needs a Table of Contents. The red wines of Bordeaux alone take up six pages. French wines are the focus of the international list, all the better to marry with the French-kissed-Southwestern fare like rack of lamb with thyme, rosemary, garlic and spicy pepper jelly. 3930 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, 602-224-0225
vincentsoncamelback.com# of wines by the glass: 22
# of wines by the bottle: About 650
Events: Happy hour in the sumptuous, cerulean Bleu Room (3-6:30 p.m. M-F) features half-price wines by the glass and trios of sliders and salads for $8 and $4.50, respectively.
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