Grand Setting, Grocery Store Wine List
Reynolda / North Winston-Salem · Winston Salem · Upscale American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 25, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You walk into one of the most storied estates in North Carolina — a 1932 Norman Revival manor house dripping in history — and then the wine list arrives. It's a short, familiar lineup that reads like the wine section at a mid-tier grocery chain. The setting deserves better.
At 20–30 bottles, this list punches well below its weight class for a property charging $25–$45 entrees. The California contingent is almost entirely Proverb, a mass-market label that has no business anchoring a fine dining program. There are a few legitimate names in the mix — J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cab, La Crema Chardonnay, Meiomi Pinot Noir — but these are supermarket staples, not destinations. The one international bright spot is Amore Di Amanti, an Italian red blend, but one interesting bottle does not a serious list make.
The by-the-glass program runs 8–12 options, which sounds generous until you see what's in the pour. Expect heavy rotation of Proverb varietals alongside The Pale Rosé and Prophecy Rosé for the pink crowd. There's no evidence of rotation or any effort to keep the glass pours fresh or seasonal.
J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Pricing wasn't confirmed, but Seven Oaks is the most recognizable quality producer on the list — consistent, food-friendly, and a known quantity at a winery that actually tries. If you're drinking red here, this is your move.
Amore Di Amanti
An Italian red blend in a sea of California mass-market — most tables will walk right past it. It's the one bottle on this list that shows even a flicker of curiosity, and at an estate dining room in Winston-Salem, that makes it genuinely interesting.
Proverb Cabernet Sauvignon
Proverb is a budget grocery-tier label. Ordering it at these price points means you're paying estate markups on a wine that retails under $10. Hard pass.
La Crema Chardonnay + Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass
La Crema's cool-climate Chardonnay — restrained, with good acidity and controlled oak — holds up against the richness of seared sea bass without drowning it. It's the most sensible pairing on the menu given what's available.
❌ The Bottom Line
Graylyn Estate is a genuinely beautiful place to have dinner, but the wine list is an afterthought in a room that deserves intention. Order the sea bass, grab the La Crema, and try not to think too hard about what this list could have been.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.