Familiar Pours, Fresh Fish, No Complaints
South Chandler · Chandler · Japanese, Sushi · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 25, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Kodo reads like a greatest-hits compilation from the grocery store wine aisle — every label is one you've seen before, and that's exactly the point. It's not trying to impress you; it's trying to get out of the way of the omakase. At $9–$12 a glass across the board, the pricing is honest enough that you won't feel burned ordering a second pour.
Fourteen labels, all available by the glass, covering California, Washington State, Italy, New Zealand, and a token French showing from Gérard Bertrand's Côte des Roses. The California contingent leans heavily on Josh Cellars, Kendall Jackson, and Meiomi — reliable producers that move volume precisely because nobody argues with them. Washington gets a small nod via Chateau Ste. Michelle's Riesling and Merlot, which are actually the most interesting bottles on the list. There are no deep-cut regions, no grower Champagne, no skin-contact anything — this is a list built for people who want wine to be easy, and it succeeds entirely on those terms.
All 14 wines on the list are poured by the glass, which keeps things simple even if it doesn't exactly reward the curious drinker. The range spans sparkling (Ruffino Prosecco), white, rosé, and red, so you can work through a meal without repeating yourself. Rotation appears nonexistent — this list looks like it hasn't changed since opening day, and probably won't.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $9
Washington Riesling at $9 a glass is the smartest order on this list — it's genuinely food-friendly with sushi, cuts through rich rolls, and Ste. Michelle makes a clean, off-dry style that holds up well in a restaurant setting. Most people walk past it. Don't.
Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé
It's the only French wine on the list and it tends to get overlooked next to the Californians. Bertrand's Côte des Roses is a proper Languedoc rosé — dry, structured, with enough acidity to handle a spicy tuna roll without flinching. Worth a second look.
Dreaming Tree Cabernet Sauvignon
Dave Matthews' wine brand is perfectly drinkable, but ordering a California Cab at a sushi restaurant is working against yourself. The tannins and oak don't do your nigiri any favors, and you can do better for the same $11 elsewhere on this list.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Specialty Sushi Rolls
The slight residual sweetness in the Riesling tames heat from spicy sauces while the crisp acidity refreshes the palate between bites of rich, creamy rolls. It's the classic sushi-and-Riesling match for a reason — and at $9 a glass here, it's a no-brainer.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Kodo's wine list won't win any awards, but at these prices and with this much sushi to distract you, it doesn't need to. Order the Riesling, eat the rolls, be happy.
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