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πŸ”₯The Rager

Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant

Hollywood's Most Serious Wine List, Full Stop

Hollywood Β· Los Angeles Β· Seasonal Steakhouse Β· Visit Website β†—

date-nightdeep-cellarsplurge-worthyold-world-focus

Reviewed April 7, 2026

Wingman Metrics

List VarietyDeep & Eclectic
MarkupSteep
GlasswareVarietal Specific
StaffWilling but Green
Specials & DealsOccasional
Storage & TempProper

First Impression

The wine list at Gwen lands like a thud β€” in the best possible way. We're talking 400-600 selections anchored by California, France, and Italy, with names like Domaine de la RomanΓ©e-Conti and Harlan Estate sharing real estate on the same pages. Curtis Stone built a restaurant where the meat program gets all the press, but the wine list quietly earns equal billing.

Selection Deep Dive

California is the clear star here β€” Kistler, Aubert, Ridge Monte Bello, Screaming Eagle, Caymus Special Selection, and Opus One all make appearances, covering the full spectrum from serious Chardonnay to cult Cab. France punches hard with Domaine Leroy Burgundy, Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet, ChΓ’teau Latour, and DRC in the cellar for those with deep enough pockets. Italy rounds out the list with Giacomo Conterno Barolo and Gaja Barbaresco β€” both serious producers that signal someone actually cares about what goes beyond the Alps. The only gripe is that coverage gets thinner outside these three regions; if you want Ribera del Duero or Alsace, you're mostly out of luck.

By the Glass

Twenty to thirty pours by the glass is a genuine commitment for a restaurant this size, and Gwen doesn't use the program as a dumping ground for whatever needs to move. Expect rotations that track the California and French strengths of the bottle list β€” this isn't a house-pour-and-one-Chardonnay situation. Wednesday's half-price wine night turns the BTG program into one of the better deals in Hollywood, full stop.

πŸ’°Best Value

Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 β€” $180

At a restaurant where Screaming Eagle and Harlan set the ceiling, Far Niente at $180 is the sensible power move. It's a proper Napa Cab from a house that's been doing this for decades β€” and it doesn't require a second mortgage to enjoy with your dry-aged ribeye.

πŸ’ŽHidden Gem

Giacomo Conterno Barolo

Most tables here are reaching for a California Cab, which means Conterno often gets overlooked. That's a mistake. This is one of the most important Barolo producers in Piedmont, full stop β€” and in a steakhouse context, Nebbiolo's high acid and firm tannins do serious work against rich, fatty cuts.

β›”Skip This

Domaine de la RomanΓ©e-Conti Vosne-RomanΓ©e 2018

At $1,200 a bottle in a loud, bustling Hollywood dining room, you're not getting the contemplative experience this wine deserves. DRC is a cellar wine, not a vibe wine. Save it for somewhere quieter β€” or for your own table at home.

🍽️Perfect Pairing

Ridge Monte Bello + Dry-aged ribeye

Monte Bello is Cabernet-dominant but built on complexity and restraint rather than raw power β€” it has the structure to stand up to a well-marbled dry-aged ribeye without bulldozing it. It's the pairing a serious wine drinker orders while everyone else reaches for Caymus.

🍷Half-Price Wine Night

Wednesday β€” Half-price wine night on Wednesdays β€” applies to bottle selections and makes an already strong list significantly more accessible.

πŸ”₯ The Bottom Line

Gwen has earned its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence since 2018 and the list backs it up β€” this is one of the most serious wine programs attached to a steakhouse in Los Angeles. Markups are steep, but Wednesday half-price night and specific bottle picks make it worth the trip.

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