Las Vegas turns to wine

Las Vegas, long known for its vibrant nightlife and luxury experiences, has evolved into a serious destination for wine lovers. Beyond the glittering casinos and entertainment, the city offers a collection of venues that showcase deep wine lists, expert sommeliers, and rare vintages from around the world. From high-end restaurants to hidden gems, Las Vegas caters to every level of wine interest with settings as diverse as its visitors.

Delilah at Wynn Las Vegas has become one of the most celebrated supper clubs in the city, drawing a fashionable crowd and offering a wine list curated to match its elevated take on American cuisine. The wine program features well-known Old World producers, along with emerging boutique labels from California and Oregon. Guests often opt for Champagne to accompany the restaurant's classic seafood towers and steak entrees. The list, designed to match the ambiance of the 1950s-inspired dining room, offers both depth and variety, with attentive service guiding the selections.

In the heart of the Strip, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas is led by a team of sommeliers that consistently earn praise for their insight and professionalism. The French chef's only U.S. restaurant is home to a cellar with more than 850 labels, emphasizing French wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, and the Rhône Valley. The tasting menus, rooted in modern French cuisine, are often paired with wines chosen to enhance the layered flavors of each dish. The restaurant's minimalist décor and sweeping views create a setting that allows the wines and food to take center stage.

At Aureole in Mandalay Bay, the wine experience is part of the spectacle. Designed by Charlie Palmer, the restaurant features a four-story wine tower with a team of "wine angels" who retrieve bottles using a harness and pulley system. Beyond the theatrics, the wine list has been a benchmark in the city for more than two decades. Aureole focuses heavily on California and French selections, offering verticals from well-known Napa producers and Grand Cru Burgundies. The sommelier team maintains a balance between legacy labels and hard-to-find cult favorites.

Off-Strip, Esther's Kitchen in the Arts District brings a more casual, neighborhood feel to Las Vegas' wine scene. Known for its housemade pastas and rustic Italian cooking, the restaurant has built a loyal following through its rotating list of natural and organic wines. Owner and chef James Trees works closely with wine director Caitlin Williams Freeman to highlight small European producers and American winemakers focused on sustainability. The list changes frequently, often offering bottles rarely found elsewhere in the city, and guests are encouraged to try varietals they may not know. The setting is laid back but serious about quality, offering a contrast to the high-gloss feel of Strip dining.

Carnevino, the now-closed but still influential steakhouse from Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich, left a lasting mark on the wine culture of Las Vegas. While the restaurant itself shut its doors in 2018, many of its former sommeliers and wine professionals have gone on to lead programs at other top establishments in the city. Its legacy is seen in the continued popularity of Italian wines, particularly Brunello di Montalcino and Barolo, on many current menus. The deep cellar of Italian reds and Amarone helped educate a generation of Las Vegas diners and professionals alike.

At Delmonico Steakhouse in The Venetian, Emeril Lagasse's team maintains one of the most comprehensive wine programs in Las Vegas. The restaurant holds a Grand Award from Wine Spectator, a recognition earned by fewer than 100 restaurants worldwide. The list spans over 2,300 selections, with strengths in Bordeaux, Napa Valley, and the Rhône. The wine room holds more than 23,000 bottles, and the sommelier team is known for both precision and hospitality. With a classic steakhouse menu, the wines here are often bold and structured, designed to complement dry-aged beef and rich sauces.

Ferraro's Ristorante, located just east of the Strip near the Virgin Hotels complex, is a family-owned Italian restaurant that has quietly built one of the city's most respected Italian wine cellars. The list includes more than 1,500 labels from every region of Italy, from the Alpine whites of Friuli to the structured reds of Sicily. The staff is trained to walk diners through regional pairings, often recommending less-known varietals like Aglianico or Nerello Mascalese. Ferraro's stays open late, catering to service industry professionals and sommeliers after their shifts, creating a lively and knowledgeable crowd during late-night hours.

Wally's at Resorts World, an outpost of the Los Angeles-based wine bar and retail shop, opened in 2021 and has quickly become a go-to spot for serious collectors and casual drinkers alike. The retail-forward model allows guests to choose a bottle off the shelves and enjoy it on-site with a small corkage fee, offering transparency and value rarely found on the Strip. The selection is global, with strong showings from Burgundy, Tuscany, California, and Champagne. The atmosphere is more relaxed than a traditional fine dining room but retains a high level of service and knowledge. Wally's has become a popular lunch destination for those looking to enjoy a glass or bottle during the day without committing to a full dining experience.

Las Vegas continues to develop as a destination for wine beyond the expected, with sommeliers driving deeper engagement and venues seeking out rare and expressive bottles. Whether it's a high-rise dining room with a formal tasting menu or a casual bistro offering natural pours by the glass, the city's wine scene reflects both its global clientele and its increasing maturity in food and beverage culture.