Mountain Town Markups, Some Solid Picks
Downtown Jackson · Jackson Hole · American / Southwestern · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed May 22, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Purple Sage lands squarely in mountain-town comfort zone — California and Pacific Northwest heavyweights, a few Argentinian and Spanish nods, and prices that remind you this is Jackson Hole, not Jackson, Mississippi. It's a list built for guests who know what they like and aren't shy about spending, which fits the room just fine.
The 40-70 bottle list leans hard on Napa Cabernet and Sonoma Pinot Noir, with recognizable names like Lail Vineyards, Kosta Browne, Shafer, and Quilceda Creek doing the heavy lifting. The Pacific Northwest makes a decent showing, and Argentina and Spain add just enough international texture to keep things from feeling completely tunnel-visioned. Don't come looking for Burgundy, Barolo, or anything remotely off the beaten path — this list was built to match elk tenderloin and bison without confusing anyone. The gaps are real, but the hits are crowd-pleasers executed well.
With 10-16 pours available, the by-the-glass program is one of the better aspects of this list — enough options to explore without feeling overwhelmed. The range likely mirrors the bottle list's California-forward identity, which means solid Chardonnay and Cabernet territory for the table. Rotation and quality control aren't confirmed, but the breadth suggests you'll find something that works.
Lail Vineyards Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 — $140
At 75% markup over a $80 retail bottle, this is actually the most restrained pricing on the list. Blueprint is a serious Napa Cab — structured, age-worthy, and built for a night out — and by Purple Sage standards, it's practically a bargain.
Beran Zinfandel 2017
Most tables will walk right past this for the Cabs and Pinots, but Zinfandel alongside elk or bison is a genuinely great move — the spice and dark fruit play off game meat better than almost anything else on the list. Yes, the markup stings at 133%, but the pairing upside makes it worth a second look.
Quilceda Creek CVR Red Wine 2018
At $160 on the menu against a $60 retail price, this is a 167% markup — the worst on the list. Quilceda is a fantastic producer, but you're paying three times what you should for the privilege of drinking it here. Save this one for a bottle shop.
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2019 + Purple Sage Trout
Sonoma Coast Pinot has the acidity and red-fruit brightness to lift a rich, pan-seared trout without steamrolling it. Kosta Browne brings enough weight to feel special at a $30-50 entree table, and this is the kind of pairing the list was quietly designed for.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Purple Sage is a dependable dinner option in a town that charges a premium for everything, and the wine list is exactly what you'd expect — familiar names, safe regions, and markups that will make your credit card flinch. Go in with eyes open, steer toward the Lail Blueprint, and enjoy it with something off the grill.
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