Martini bar that actually knows its wine
West Village · New York · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed May 20, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Cecchi's, the vibe hits first — dim lighting, Art Deco bones, the kind of place where people are absolutely ordering a dirty martini before they even look at a menu. The wine list doesn't announce itself loudly, but it's got enough California and French muscle to hold its own in a room that really, really wants to sell you a cocktail.
The list leans hard into California and France, which is exactly what Wine Spectator flagged when they handed out the Award of Excellence in 2025. You've got Napa heavyweights like Far Niente and Stag's Leap alongside Cakebread and Rombauer for the Chardonnay crowd, and on the French side, Château Lynch-Bages and a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Échézeaux for those who want to spend serious money. The Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé is a nice touch — it tells you someone with taste built this list, not just a purchasing manager filling slots. Gaps exist outside these two regions, and adventurous drinkers looking for natural wine or anything off the beaten path will feel the walls close in.
We don't have a full by-the-glass breakdown, but with a sommelier named Robert Oppenheimer running the program, we'd expect at least a workable pour selection that tracks the bottle list's California-France axis. In a room this buzzy, a short but well-chosen glass list is table stakes — and the WS credential suggests they're not phoning it in.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — $175
Artemis is Stag's Leap's workhorse Cab — consistently well-made, reliably drinkable, and at $175 it's the least punishing way to get a serious Napa red at a West Village bar where everything else at this tier costs more.
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 2021
Most people at Cecchi's are eyeing the Champagne or going straight to Cabernet. The Domaine Tempier Bandol is a benchmark Provençal rosé from one of the appellation's greatest estates — structured, savory, and wildly underordered in a room full of people drinking martinis. Their loss.
Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley 2019
At $125, Cakebread Chardonnay is a recognizable name that trades entirely on its reputation. It's fine — but you're paying a premium for the label, not the juice. The Rombauer drinks similarly and comes in cheaper.
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé 2021 + Steak frites
Bandol Rosé isn't just a warm-weather sipper — it's got enough structure and savory depth to cut through the fat of a proper steak frites without overpowering it. It's the kind of pairing that makes people put down their martini glass and pay attention.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Cecchi's is first and foremost a bar, but the wine list is more serious than the neon and noise suggest. Steep markups are the main ding — but if you know what to order, there's real pleasure here.
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