The Hermitage Inn
Vermont's Cozy Inn Hiding a Serious Cellar
West Dover · West Dover · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into The Hermitage Inn's dining room, the wine list feels like finding a serious library tucked inside a ski lodge — intimate wood beams, candlelight, and then a list that runs 400 to 600 bottles deep. The Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence hanging on the wall isn't just decoration; the list actually earns it. This is not the kind of place you expect to find in a Vermont mountain town, which makes it all the better.
Selection Deep Dive
Sommelier Brendan McGrail has built a list that leans hard into California and France, with Italy keeping pace — and honestly, the heavy hitters are here in force: Opus One, Chateau Margaux, Antinori Tignanello, Louis Jadot Burgundy. There's real range from approachable everyday bottles to genuine cellar trophies, and the French and Italian selections give the list some Old World credibility beyond California Cab worship. That said, if you're hunting esoteric natural wine or off-the-radar producers, you're in the wrong inn — this is a classical list executed with care, not a boundary-pusher. The depth across Burgundy and Tuscan reds in particular makes it worth lingering over.
By the Glass
With 20 to 30 options by the glass, the program is generous for a property this size — you're not stuck choosing between a house Chardonnay and a house Cab. Quality producers like Jordan Winery and Duckhorn make appearances, which means the glass pours aren't an afterthought. Rotation details aren't well documented, but with a dedicated sommelier on staff, we'd expect the BTG list to reflect whatever's showing well seasonally.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $40
Jordan is a reliable, food-friendly California Cab that punches above its price point on lists like this. It's the smart move if you want bottle-quality drinking without committing to a three-figure pour — and it's right at home next to the roasted Vermont rack of lamb.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone's eyes jump to the Opus One and the Margaux, but Duckhorn's Merlot is one of the most consistently underrated bottles on any American fine dining list. Rich, structured, and showing age gracefully — most diners overlook it because they're still fighting the Sideways stigma. Their loss.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is a crowd pleaser, sure, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles in the American restaurant industry. You're paying a significant premium for a label that's become more brand than terroir. With Silver Oak, Jordan, and Duckhorn on the same list, the Caymus just isn't the move at fine dining prices.
Antinori Tignanello + Roasted Vermont Rack of Lamb
Tignanello's Sangiovese-Cabernet-Cabernet Franc blend has the structure and dark fruit to stand up to lamb without steamrolling the meat's natural sweetness. The herbal and earthy notes in the wine echo the herbs you'd expect on a roasted rack, and the acidity keeps the whole thing lively. This is the pairing we'd order without hesitation.
🔥 The Bottom Line
The Hermitage Inn is a genuine rager hiding in the Green Mountains — a deep, classically curated list with serious French and Italian bones, a knowledgeable sommelier, and the kind of intimate dining room that makes a great bottle taste even better. Markups lean steep, as expected for an upscale inn, but the overall wine experience is worth the drive up the mountain.
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