Cozy Burlington Staple, Safe Pours Done Decently
Downtown · Burlington · New American Bistro · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 18, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The Gryphon's wine list reads like a greatest hits album you've heard a hundred times before — Josh Cellars, Meiomi, Apothic. It's not offensively bad, but it's not trying to impress anyone either. The exposed brick and warm bar vibe honestly deserve a more interesting list.
The 30-60 bottle list leans heavily on California crowd-pleasers, with token representation from France, Italy, and the Pacific Northwest. You'll recognize every label from your local grocery store. There's no depth here — no grower Champagne, no interesting Rhône, no Willamette Valley single-vineyard Pinot to justify the Pacific Northwest callout. What you see is exactly what you get, and what you get is very, very safe.
Eight by-the-glass options cover the obvious bases — a Chardonnay, a Pinot Grigio, a Sauvignon Blanc, a Cab, a Pinot Noir, and a red blend. That's a functional spread but zero rotation, nothing seasonal, and no wildcard pour to get excited about. At least the glass prices are in a reasonable range before you do the bottle math.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige 2022 — $16 glass / $60 bottle
It's the best actual wine on the list by a wide margin. At 130% markup it's the fairest deal here, and Santa Margherita is a reliable, well-made bottle that outclasses everything else in the lineup. If you're getting a bottle, this is the one.
Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815 2021
Most people at a Burlington bistro will reach for the Meiomi Pinot or the Apothic blend without thinking twice. The Joel Gott 815 is a sturdier, more structured Cab that holds up against the steak frites in a way the sweeter options simply can't. Overlooked, and the markup isn't the worst on the list.
Matua Sauvignon Blanc 2023
A $13 retail bottle marked to $44 — that's a 238% markup on a perfectly fine but utterly unremarkable Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc you can grab at any liquor store on your way over. Order the Santa Margherita instead and keep your dignity.
Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 815 2021 + Steak Frites
The 815 Cab has enough dark fruit and structure to stand up to a proper steak without overwhelming the frites. It's not a fancy pairing, but it's an honest one — and honestly, that fits The Gryphon perfectly.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Gryphon is a reliable neighborhood bistro with a wine list that matches its ambitions exactly: familiar, functional, and forgettable. Come for the burgers and brick walls, but don't expect the wine to be the highlight of your night.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.