The Pembroke
California Classics Done Right in Dupont
Washington · Washington · American, European · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 11, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into The Pembroke, the velvet banquettes and marble tables set expectations high — this is a room that takes itself seriously. The wine list follows suit: polished, California-forward, and built for guests who know what they like. It's not trying to surprise you, and it mostly succeeds on its own terms.
Selection Deep Dive
The 150-250 bottle list leans hard into California's greatest hits — Caymus, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Jordan, Duckhorn, Cakebread — a who's-who of names that read comfortably to a DC business-dinner crowd. There's nothing wrong with that lineup, but adventurous drinkers looking to wander outside Napa and Sonoma will find slim pickings. Wine Spectator handed out their Award of Excellence here in 2025, and it's earned on the strength of California depth, not regional diversity. Philip Dunne is the sommelier steering the ship, and the list feels curated rather than just assembled.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 12-20 options in the $12-$18 range, which is reasonable for Dupont Circle. Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay showing up by the glass is a genuinely good call — it's a step above the usual house pours. The selection doesn't rotate aggressively, so don't expect a seasonal surprise.
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay — $18
At the top of the by-the-glass range, this is still a fair pour of a wine that punches well above its price point. Russian River fruit, restrained oak — it delivers more than most glasses at this price in a hotel restaurant.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone at the table is ordering Cab, and honestly, they're missing out. Duckhorn's Merlot is one of California's most consistent overachievers — plush, structured, and often overshadowed by the Cabernet crowd. Order it with the dry-aged beef tenderloin and don't announce what you're drinking.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is a fine wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles in American restaurant culture. You're paying for the name recognition, and in this price range you can do better. Let the table next to you order it.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-aged beef tenderloin
Jordan's restrained, old-school style — more Bordeaux-leaning than the fruit-bomb Cabs on this list — gives the dry-aged beef tenderloin room to breathe. Neither one tries to dominate the other, which is exactly how this should work.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Pembroke is a reliable, well-run wine program that knows its audience and serves them well — just don't come expecting to discover anything new. If California classics in a beautiful room sound good to you, Philip Dunne and team have you covered.
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