Greek Grape Varieties You Forgot Were Awesome
Downtown/Pine Avenue · Long Beach · Greek/Mediterranean · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at George's isn't trying to impress you — and that's kind of the point. It's short, it's Greek-forward, and it matches the casual taverna energy of the room without apology. For a neighborhood spot on Pine Avenue, the focus on actual Greek producers is a refreshing move when half the city's Greek restaurants are just pouring generic California Cab alongside their spanakopita.
The list clocks in somewhere between 20 and 35 bottles, split between Greek imports and California options — a sensible split for the local clientele. The Greek side is where things get interesting: Boutari's Santorini Assyrtiko is a legitimate, terroir-driven white that most people in Long Beach have never heard of, and it belongs on this list. The Kourtaki Mavrodaphne is a sweet, fortified red that's genuinely traditional and not something you'll find at your average chain restaurant. The California side of things exists to keep the unfamiliar comfortable, but the real story here is Greece.
With 8 to 12 options by the glass, the pour program is proportional to the list — not sprawling, but workable for a table that can't agree on a bottle. The Apla Rosé showing up by the glass is a solid call; it's approachable, Greek, and fits the food. We'd love to see more Greek whites rotating through, but what's here gets the job done.
Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko — $40
Santorini Assyrtiko from a reliable producer like Boutari in a casual Greek cafe at a sub-$50 price point is a genuine win. This is a wine that brings volcanic minerality and citrus drive that the food here is practically designed for.
Kourtaki Mavrodaphne
Most tables will skip right past this one, not knowing what it is. Mavrodaphne of Patras is a sweet, fortified red from the Peloponnese — think a Greek answer to a light Port. Order a pour after dinner instead of dessert and you'll understand why Greeks have been drinking it for centuries.
Apla Rosé
It's perfectly fine, but it's the path of least resistance on this list — the pick for people who want something pink and unchallenging. With Assyrtiko on the menu, there's a more interesting choice for roughly the same money.
Boutari Santorini Assyrtiko + Saganaki
Flaming cheese needs a wine with enough acidity to cut through the fat and salt, and Assyrtiko's lean, citrus-driven profile does exactly that. The volcanic minerality from Santorini against the char of the saganaki is one of those rare restaurant moments that actually makes sense.
Monday — Yelp reviewers report a Monday half-price wine special. Whether it applies to bottles only or also by-the-glass pours isn't confirmed — call ahead before you plan your evening around it.
🎲 The Bottom Line
George's is a Wild Card because it's doing something most casual Greek spots don't bother with — actually leaning into Greek wine. Monday's half-price promotion makes it worth building a night around.
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