Maybe I don't use the right word...
Usually you have 3 "menu" in the graphic tab: one for window parameter, another for screen resolution and another for direct3d.
I checked with a friend (who has wine 1.4 on ubuntu 12.04) and he has a "menu" direct3d in the graphic tab.
When I was looking for configure wine, I found some topic with screenshot where you can configure direct3d in the graphic tab.
Maybe you right and wine works perfectly on my computer, but i find it is strange that someone have the direct3d in the graphic tab and not me.
Once there was an attempt to add a new tab with direct3d settings to
winecfg [1] but it was rejected. Your friend may have a custom build
with this patch applied.