ESSĒ
California Classics With a Lake View
Greensboro · Greensboro · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 13, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Sitting lakeside at Reynolds Lake Oconee, ESSĒ leans hard into the special-occasion energy — white tablecloths, water views, the works. The wine list follows suit: a curated California-forward selection built for the resort crowd who wants something recognizable and celebratory. It's not trying to surprise you, and it mostly doesn't.
Selection Deep Dive
The list reads like a greatest hits of Napa Valley, and honestly, it executes that lane competently. You've got Cakebread and Rombauer Chardonnays covering the buttery-and-oaky crowd, while the reds lean on reliable big-names like Duckhorn, Stag's Leap Artemis, and Far Niente Cabernet. Chateau Montelena adds a touch of heritage credibility, and Opus One sits at the top for those celebrating something significant. What's missing is any real exploration outside California — no interesting Willamette Pinot, no Rhône-style bottles, nothing that would make a curious drinker lean forward. Wine Spectator's 2024 Award of Excellence tracks here: this is a competent, California-focused list that does what it sets out to do.
By the Glass
By-the-glass specifics aren't published, which is a minor frustration for a restaurant at this price point. Given the bottle list skews toward recognizable Napa names, expect the pours to mirror that — probably a Chardonnay or two and a Cabernet at a price that makes you briefly consider just ordering a bottle. The Wednesday half-price wine night is a legitimate reason to plan your visit mid-week.
Stag's Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — $85
Artemis is one of Napa's most dependable Cabs at any price — structured, fruit-forward, and genuinely good. At $85 in a resort restaurant setting where everything else on the list trends higher, this is the move if you want a serious red without committing to a triple-digit bottle.
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2020
Most tables here will grab the Rombauer or Cakebread by reflex, but Montelena is making a very different kind of Chardonnay — restrained, mineral-driven, less oak than you'd expect. It's the bottle that proves not everything from California has to taste like vanilla butter. Worth the $110 if you want something with actual tension.
Opus One 2019
At $450, you're paying a significant resort premium on a bottle that retails in the $300+ range and is available at fine wine retailers everywhere. Save Opus One for a cellar purchase, not a restaurant markup situation. The Stag's Leap or Far Niente will drink beautifully with your filet and leave real money on the table.
Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 + Filet Mignon
Duckhorn Cab has enough dark fruit and structure to stand up to a perfectly seared filet without steamrolling the tenderness of the cut. It's the kind of pairing that doesn't require any explanation — you just take a bite, take a sip, and nod.
Wednesday — Half-price wine night on Wednesdays — the single best reason to choose mid-week for your reservation at this resort restaurant.
✔️ The Bottom Line
ESSĒ is a solid lakeside wine destination for California Cab and Chard fans who know what they want and don't need to be challenged. Wednesday half-price wine night turns a steep list into a genuinely good deal — time your reservation accordingly.
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