Lansing's Steakhouse Finally Takes Wine Seriously
Downtown Lansing · Lansing · Steakhouse, Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 7, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Bowdie's Chophouse – Lansing’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walking into Bowdie's, the wine list feels like it was put together by someone who actually drinks wine — not just someone who Googled 'steakhouse wine list template.' At 95 labels, it's not trying to be encyclopedic, but it covers the right ground for a chophouse with serious food ambitions. There's a sommelier on staff, and it shows.
The list earns its stripes by anchoring Napa Cabs and Bordeaux where a steakhouse should, then smartly stepping out with Willamette Valley Pinot, some Rhône representation via Kermit Lynch, and a Champagne section that goes beyond grocery-store bubbles — Paul Bara Grand Rosé Brut and Robert Moncuit Les Grands Blancs Extra Brut are genuine selections worth noticing. Lingua Franca 'Avni' from Oregon and Fisher 'Unity' from Sonoma show that whoever built this list has range beyond the obvious. Château De Rouillac adds a Bordeaux anchor, and Scavino covers Italy — the geographical spread across roughly 95 labels is well-curated rather than scattered. The weak spot: Argentina, Spain, and Italy feel like afterthoughts, present but thin.
Ten by-the-glass options is a reasonable spread for this format, spanning $12–$32 a pour. That top end is a stretch for a glass, but if it's getting you into something like Lingua Franca or Fisher, it might be worth the ask. We'd want to see the glass list rotate more aggressively — right now it feels like a fixed lineup rather than a dynamic program.
Kermit Lynch Côtes Du Rhône — $12
At the low end of the glass pour range, this is the kind of everyday Rhône that punches above its station — grenache-driven, food-friendly, and from one of the most trusted importers in the game. Order it without guilt.
Robert Moncuit Les Grands Blancs Extra Brut
Most people at a chophouse go straight for the red, but this grower Champagne from a small Le Mesnil producer is the kind of bottle that makes a meal feel like an occasion. Blanc de blancs with real tension — and it cuts through a ribeye better than you'd expect.
Quilt
Quilt is a perfectly fine Napa Cab, but it's a high-volume, heavily marketed label that you can find at any Total Wine for $35. At steakhouse markups, you're paying a significant premium for a wine that does nothing a better-value pick on this same list wouldn't do.
Lingua Franca 'Avni' + Smoked Duck Ravioli
Lingua Franca's Chardonnay has enough structure and savory edge to handle the richness of smoked duck without getting steamrolled — and it's interesting enough to hold the conversation between bites. A smarter move than defaulting to red with this dish.
The Bottom Line
Bowdie's is the best wine program in downtown Lansing by a clear margin, and the sommelier presence means you're not on your own navigating it. Markups are steakhouse-level steep, so come with a strategy — the value is there if you know where to look.
East Lansing · Lansing · Mexican
El Azteco is a beloved college-town institution, and the wine list knows its place — it's there so you can technically order wine, not because anyone thought hard about it. Stick to the margaritas; they're the real program here.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Lansing · Lansing · American, Brew Pub, Bar
Beggar's Banquet is a beloved East Lansing institution and the wine list reflects that — it's comfortable, familiar, and a little overpriced. Come on a Wednesday when half-price bottles make the steep markups survivable, order the bubbles, and remember that the beer list is probably the real reason everyone keeps coming back.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
East Lansing · Lansing · American bar & grill
Peanut Barrel is a beloved East Lansing institution and a genuinely great place to grab a burger and a beer — emphasis on the beer. The wine list is a placeholder, not a program, and no one at the table or behind the bar is pretending otherwise.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Lansing · Lansing · Hotel Restaurant
If you're staying at the Crowne Plaza or just need a reliable glass of wine before a meeting in Lansing, Kindred Table won't let you down — prices are fair, the producers are legitimate, and nobody's trying to fleece you. Just don't come expecting discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Old Town Lansing · Lansing · Gastropub
Zoobie's isn't where you go to geek out on wine, but if you're meeting friends for dinner in Old Town and someone at the table insists on a glass, you won't be stuck with regret. Grab the Malbec or the Mawby rosé, let everyone else argue about the beer list.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Okemos · Lansing · Seafood and American
Real Seafood Company Okemos is a dependable neighborhood anchor where the wine list won't embarrass you or excite you — fair prices and familiar faces make it easy, just don't come expecting discovery. Order the La Marca with the oysters and leave the wine nerd hat at home.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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