Jersey City's scrappy natural wine surprise
Downtown · Jersey City · Australian-influenced, Natural Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You don't expect to walk into a serious natural wine program on Grove Street, but Frankie makes a case for itself fast. The list skews Italian and antipodean, which is a strange combination that somehow works when you're staring at it over a plate of fish and chips. It feels curated, not accidental — someone here actually cares.
The list leans heavily Italian, with a soft spot for Piedmont — Nebbiolo from Langhe and Voghera show up, which tells you this isn't a supermarket grab. Tuscan representation comes via Chianti Superiore from Grati, a name serious enough to earn its place. The Vini Verso 'Sclopit' Pinot Noir blend is the kind of left-field pick that signals a buyer with actual taste. Gaps exist — the Australian influence that defines the kitchen doesn't translate as deeply onto the wine list as you'd hope, but what's here is honest, low-intervention juice.
Specific by-the-glass counts and prices aren't published, which is a minor frustration for walk-ins trying to plan their night. Based on the list and the restaurant's natural wine identity, expect rotating pours that reflect the bottle list rather than a static house-wine setup. If the program holds true to form, even the glass pours should be worth asking about.
Chianti Superiore, Grati — null
Grati is a solid Chianti producer making wine that regularly drinks above its price class — in a natural wine bar context, this is the bottle that gets you the most per dollar and works with nearly everything on the menu.
Vini Verso 'Sclopit' Pinot Noir Blend
Most people at Frankie are probably ordering Nebbiolo or Chianti and sleeping on this. Vini Verso works in the Colli Tortonesi with grapes that rarely make it onto American wine lists — 'Sclopit' is a genuine find and exactly the kind of thing a natural wine bar should be pouring.
Nebbiolo, Voghera
Not a bad wine by any means, but Nebbiolo from Voghera at a casual Australian restaurant is a commitment — it needs time and the right moment. Unless you're deep into the meal and ready to sit with it, the 'Sclopit' blend does more work for less patience required.
Chianti Superiore, Grati + Seasonal Pasta
Chianti and pasta is a cliché for a reason — it works. Grati's Chianti Superiore has enough acidity to cut through rich sauces without steamrolling lighter preparations, making it the most adaptable bottle on the list for whatever Frankie's kitchen is running seasonal.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Frankie is a genuinely surprising wine program hiding inside a casual downtown spot, and the Italian-leaning natural wine list punches well above the Grove Street zip code. If you're in Jersey City and care about what's in your glass, this is where you go.
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