Wine in Las Vegas “isn’t just about the big names anymore,” says Will Costello MS
Star Wine List’s Las Vegas Ambassador is Master Sommelier Will Costello, who has been reporting from his Nevada home since autumn 2024. In his second dispatch, one year on, he adds eight Red Stars and tells us how ‘Sin City’ is both embracing smaller producers but also becoming more price conscious.
Will Costello MS hails from San Diego but has lived in Las Vegas since 2012. In fact, he told us last year that he never wants to live anywhere else. Based over in Mountain’s Edge, Will is a keen advocate for the “off-Strip” wine scene, where more interesting selections – and interactions – are to be found. Not to mention the food.
“The fact that so many of the wonderful chefs from the Strip have started opening their own locations in the neighbourhoods has really given a ton of life to the dining scene,” Will says. “Even friends who come into town to visit recommend going off-Strip instead of eating somewhere in the tourist corridor. It’s exactly what this city needs.”
Having already moved from service into drinks tech, Master Sommelier Will this year started working for Smart Bar USA, “a company bringing automation to the cocktail space,” he says. “It’s never going to replace the craft bartender at a speakeasy, but in stadiums, arenas, movie theatres and high-volume entertainment places, our Smart Bar ‘Smartender’ should have a pretty significant impact in the world in the next five years. So easy, a housekeeper could make a perfect cocktail.”
Explore our guide to the best wine spots in Las Vegas, and keep reading to learn how its wine tastes are evolving. Plus, where on the Strip is worth spending your winnings if you get really lucky…
Will’s new Red Stars
Barry's Downtown Prime
Craftsteak
Don's Prime
Hank's Fine Steaks & Martinis
Komodo
Nora's Italian Cuisine
Vintner Grill
Wakuda
It's a year since you launched our Las Vegas guide – how has Star Wine List gone down around town?
“All of the venues which have been part of Star Wine List have been so great to work with. They are super engaged and update their wine lists often. I think they view this as a way to connect with more customers who are WINE focused and not just looking for another restaurant.”
How did you go about selecting these eight new venues?
“Honestly, this town is so full of great wine lists and restaurants, that I found it fairly easy to find these new locations. Many of them should have been included in our first edition, but we just had so many Red Stars, it seemed like way too many. So we saved it for 2025.”
What's new on the wine scene since last year?
“The support of smaller producers and the desire to introduce customers to more local regional wines has been seen all throughout the city. It isn’t just about the big names anymore on the wine list. It is about creating experiences for the guests once they arrive.”
Have you noticed any particular trends taking hold?
“Prosecco is still huge. I think it has something to do with finding affordability in our town. There has been a lot of concern around the cost of experiencing Vegas, and many of the wine lists are doing their best to offer value.”
Do you have any particular favourites among your new additions?
“I tend to think that Barry’s Downtown Prime is exceptional. While it is very expensive, it is worth the splurge and the team just takes care of you there.”
Where's the coolest area in Las Vegas for wine folk to hang out?
“This still has to be downtown and the Arts District. It is slowly becoming a place to escape from the Strip, but also high quality enough to meet a discerning taste of industry and trade.”
Search like a Pro – explore 3,500+ wine lists
