Porch Vibes, Predictable Pours, Solid Enough
St. Elmo · Chattanooga · Southern and Coastal · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at 1885 Grill St. Elmo feels exactly like the restaurant itself — warm, approachable, and not trying to be anything it isn't. You're at the base of Lookout Mountain on a lively Southern porch, and the list matches that energy: familiar labels, nothing intimidating, nothing that'll surprise you either way. It's the kind of list where you know what you're getting before you even open it.
The list runs about 20-30 labels deep, leaning heavily on California with some Argentina and Italian representation sprinkled in. You've got your Caymus Cab, your Meiomi Red Blend, your La Marca Prosecco — all the greatest hits that move volume in a casual neighborhood spot. There's no real regional adventurousness here; no Rhône, no domestic Pinot beyond the blends, no skin-contact anything. What's here is solid, recognizable, and honestly fine for what this place is — but don't come hunting for discovery.
The by-the-glass program is one of the stronger parts of this list, with an estimated 12-18 options spanning the usual suspects at $7-$14 a pour — reasonable for Chattanooga's dining scene. You're not getting rotating selections or anything that'll make you stop mid-sentence, but the range covers whites, reds, and a bubble option in La Marca, which is more than many neighborhood spots bother with. Glass pours are priced fairly enough that you won't feel like you're being squeezed.
Trapiche Malbec — $7–$9/glass
Trapiche punches above its price point consistently — it's a real Malbec from Mendoza that drinks with more structure and fruit than the price suggests. On a list full of California volume brands, this is the quiet overachiever.
Trapiche Malbec
Most tables here are reaching for the Caymus or the Meiomi out of habit. The Trapiche is the better drink for the money — dark fruit, solid grip, and it actually makes sense alongside the heartier Southern dishes on this menu.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine — we're not debating that — but at restaurant markup it's rarely a good deal, and this is a label that's been riding its reputation harder than its quality for years. You're paying for the name recognition at a casual porch restaurant. Save it for a night when the list actually earns that spend.
Trapiche Malbec + Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and grits here skews rich and Southern — creamy, savory, probably with some andouille or bacon in the mix. The Malbec's dark fruit and moderate tannin cut through that richness without overwhelming the shrimp. It's a better call than defaulting to white wine and a much better call than the Caymus.
✔️ The Bottom Line
1885 Grill St. Elmo isn't a wine destination, but it doesn't need to be — it's a reliable neighborhood spot with fair prices, a comfortable patio, and a list that won't embarrass anyone. Send a friend here for dinner and tell them to order the Trapiche; don't send them here to geek out on wine.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.