Monarch Invites Guests to Taste the List with an Immersive Walk-Around Wine Tasting

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Monarch Invites Guests to Taste the List with an Immersive Walk-Around Wine Tasting

The one-afternoon experience will showcase the breadth of Monarch’s 2,500-plus-selection wine program, guided by National Director of Wine Amy Mundwiler, Head Sommelier Andrew Bentz and industry experts

DALLAS, TX (Sept. 4, 2026) – Monarch, the modern Italian wood-fired restaurant located on the 49th floor of The National in downtown Dallas, is inviting guests to experience its wine program from a new perspective with Taste the List, a one-afternoon-only walk-around wine tasting on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2:30 to 5 p.m.

Priced at $125 per person, the immersive tasting will offer guests an approachable way to explore the breadth and diversity of Monarch’s wine program, which features more than 2,500 selections spanning celebrated producers, benchmark regions, boutique discoveries and emerging appellations. Guests will move throughout eight tasting stations at their own pace, meeting wine representatives, distributors and industry experts while learning more about the producers, regions and styles represented.

The experience reflects the philosophy behind Monarch’s wine program, which is led by Maple Hospitality Group National Director of Wine Amy Mundwiler and Head Sommelier Andrew Bentz. Together with Monarch’s sommelier team, Mundwiler and Bentz have developed a program that balances highly sought-after bottles and established classics with lesser-known producers and distinctive wines that encourage exploration and discovery.

“Wine should be something guests can engage with at whatever level feels right for them,” says Amy Mundwiler, National Director of Wine for Maple Hospitality Group. We want our program to feel both exciting and approachable, whether someone is looking for a bottle they already know and love or discovering a new region, producer or varietal for the first time.

At Taste the List, guests will receive a wine glass upon arrival before making their way through eight tasting stations, each featuring a curated selection of wines. Wine representatives will be on hand to share insight into the bottles being poured, creating an afternoon centered on conversation, education and discovery.

The tasting will showcase the same range that defines Monarch’s broader wine program, from rare and collectible selections to small-producer gems, sustainable vineyards, emerging regions and rotating by-the-glass offerings. The wines featured at Taste the List will represent a curated selection from Monarch’s extensive program, while the restaurant’s broader reserve collection includes sought-after bottles such as Château Mouton Rothschild and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, alongside a diverse selection designed to complement Monarch’s wood-fired Italian cuisine.

Bentz brings an approachable, educational perspective to the program, working closely with Mundwiler and Monarch’s wine team to create thoughtful experiences for both seasoned collectors and guests who are simply interested in learning more about wine. His approach emphasizes making the extensive list feel accessible while helping guests discover wines that complement their individual tastes.

“Having a list of this size is exciting, but the real goal is helping people navigate it and find something they connect with,” says Andrew Bentz, Head Sommelier at Monarch. “‘Taste the List’ gives us the opportunity to pull some of those bottles out of the traditional dinner setting and tell the stories behind them.”

Complementing the wine tasting will be a selection of light bites, including Cheese and Charcuterie Boards featuring Cured Meats, Cheeses and Accoutrements; Hummus with Seasonal Vegetables; and Venison Summer Sausage served with Pear Mostarda and Focaccia Crostini.

The afternoon is designed as an extension of Monarch’s broader approach to wine, where the list serves as an integral part of the dining experience. In addition to its extensive bottle collection, the program features seasonal wine pairings, rotating by-the-glass selections, Chef’s Tasting Menu pairings and curated wine dinners, with the sommelier team working alongside Executive Chef Jason Rohan to create pairings that complement Monarch’s wood-fired cuisine.

Following Taste the List, guests are invited to continue the evening at Monarch or Kessaku with dinner, or visit Monarch’s bar and lounge, which will be open for walk-ins.

Taste the List will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Monarch, located on the 49th floor of The National at 1401 Elm Street in downtown Dallas.

Tickets and additional information are available here.

High-resolution images are available here.

Photo credit: Maple Hospitality Group, Jonathan Zizzo as labeled

Monarch is located at 1401 Elm Street on the 49^th Floor of The National, in Dallas, Texas and can be reached by call or text at 214-945-2222. Monarch is open for dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m., and for Happy Hour in the bar and lounge only Sunday through Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit monarchrestaurants.com or email info@monarchrestaurants.com. Follow along on social media on Instagram at @MonarchRestaurants and on Facebook at @MonarchRestaurants.

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ABOUT MONARCH

Monarch is a wood-fired, modern Italian restaurant imagined by Chef Danny Grant and team. Our expansive, elegantly designed space and refined menu are the ultimate expression of luxury dining in Dallas. Serving handmade pastas, steaks, and fresh seafood, our approach to preparation is light, fresh, and technique-driven. The heart of our restaurant is the wood-fired hearth, where guests can enjoy Tiger Prawns charred to perfection alongside Wood-fired Meatballs and Spanish Octopus. For an elevated experience, guests can indulge in a seasonally rotating Chef’s Tasting Menu, a curated showcase of the finest ingredients and culinary creativity.

ABOUT MAPLE HOSPITALITY GROUP

Maple Hospitality Group (MHG) is a hospitality collective rooted in innovation, craftsmanship, and celebration. Founded by managing partner Jim Lasky and award-winning chef Danny Grant with the opening of Maple & Ash Chicago in 2015, MHG has since grown into a portfolio of acclaimed concepts including Monarch and Kessaku in Dallas, as well as Marisella and Eight Bar. Guided by the values of creating memorable moments, delivering the highest quality, and elevating every detail, MHG continues to redefine the dining experience while expanding its footprint across Chicago, Dallas, and beyond.