Does Olive Garden Really Offer 25-Cent Wine?

What’s better than Olive Garden’s endless breadsticks? Breadsticks paired with a wine sample for just 25 cents.

Recently, a TikTok creator, Kay’s KK, posted that she sampled six different wines at Olive Garden for around $1.60—just pennies per pour. This raised eyebrows, but the rumor holds truth. Although, the policy changes based on location.

According to Jaime Bunker, Olive Garden’s senior vice president of marketing, the restaurant does indeed offer 1‑ounce wine samples to guests aged 21 and older. In some states, those samples are complimentary; in others—where laws prohibit free alcohol—they cost about 25 cents each. That aligns with what the TikToker experienced.

These pours are tiny—just 1 ounce compared to a typical 5‑ounce glass—so they’re designed for tasting, not sipping a full glass. While Bunker didn’t specify a strict limit on the number of samples per guest, she noted that patrons are welcome to enjoy “a few” with their meal.

Interestingly, this isn’t a new idea. As early as 2023, reviewers noted that Olive Garden allowed legal‑age guests to sample wines to help them choose a pairing. One article even mentioned that the chain gave away a whopping 30,000 cases in samples back in 2006.

Still, the 25‑cent sample promotion isn’t uniform across all locations—it varies depending on state alcohol regulations. Some diners who called their local Olive Garden reported that it wasn’t available, highlighting the inconsistency.

Bottom line: Yes—Olive Garden does offer wine samples, and yes—they can cost as little as 25 cents in states that allow it. But the program’s availability depends on local laws, and portions are modest. If you’re curious, ask your server at your next visit.

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