1909

Walking into 1909 feels like stepping into a well-heeled supper club from another era — dim lighting, lake views, turn-of-the-century artwork on the walls. The wine list arrives and immediately tells you exactly what kind of place this is: California Cabernet country, full stop. It's a short conversation, but at least it's an honest one.

The list runs 100-150 bottles and reads like a greatest hits of California's most recognizable names — Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Rombauer, Far Niente. There's nothing adventurous here, no detours through Burgundy or the Rhône, no surprises lurking in a back page. What it does, it does with conviction: if you're getting a steak in upstate New York and want a California Cab to match, this list has your back. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2023 for exactly this kind of focused, well-curated program — not depth, but reliability within a lane.

Ten to sixteen pours by the glass, running $10–$18, which is a reasonable range for a resort-adjacent steakhouse in a tourist town. Expect the usual California suspects to anchor the list — Rombauer Chardonnay is almost certainly one of them. Rotation appears minimal; this is not a program that's swapping in seasonal surprises every few weeks.