Local 22
Neighborhood Comfort Food With a Decent Pour
West Village · Durham · Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 5, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Local 22 doesn't try to be something it isn't — and that's actually refreshing. It's short enough to read in two minutes, priced honestly, and curated just well enough that you can tell someone spent a little time on it. This is neighborhood restaurant wine done right, not wine bar wine.
Selection Deep Dive
Thirty to fifty labels covering France, Portugal, and California is a modest footprint, but the picks are sensible and not just the usual suspects. You've got Languedoc representation via the Chateau de Pennautier, which shows they're not just defaulting to Bordeaux to look French. The Anjos Vinho Verde nods to Portugal at what should be a very approachable price point. What's missing: depth in Italy, any serious Burgundy or Rhône presence, and a clear point of view on California beyond the obvious — but for a gastropub in Durham's West Village, this is more than enough to keep the table happy.
By the Glass
Eight to twelve options by the glass is a solid count for a place this size, and the $9–$12 range is genuinely fair for the Durham market. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority — this reads like a list that's been fairly stable — but the pours we'd reach for are there. No half-price wine night to speak of, which is a missed opportunity for a spot clearly courting the neighborhood regulars.
2019 Anjos Vinho Verde — $21
Vinho Verde at a gastropub bottle price is almost always a steal, and the Anjos is a clean, food-friendly pour that won't stress your wallet. Order it cold, drink it fast.
2018 Broc 'Love' White Blend (375 ML can)
Broc Cellars out of Berkeley is a serious natural wine producer making genuinely interesting stuff, and their 'Love' white blend in a 375ml can is the kind of find that makes you do a double take on a gastropub wine list. It's unconventional, it's fun, and most people will walk right past it for something they already know.
2018 Chateau de Pennautier Pays D'OC Languedoc
The Pennautier is a perfectly fine, widely distributed Languedoc red — but it's also the kind of bottle you can find at any well-stocked grocery store for well under $15. Nothing wrong with it, but there's no magic here either. If you're spending up, spend it somewhere more interesting on this list.
2019 Anjos Vinho Verde + Cast-Iron Pimento Cheese
The Vinho Verde's brightness and light effervescence cut right through the richness of pimento cheese without bullying the dish. It's the kind of pairing that sounds casual but actually works on every level.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Local 22 isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — it's a reliable neighborhood spot where the wine list is priced fairly, thought through just enough, and won't let you down over a plate of hush puppies. Send a friend here without hesitation; just don't send a friend who wants to geek out on Burgundy.
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