Napa-heavy classics done right in Georgia
North Columbus · Columbus · Steakhouse
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Buckhead Steak and Wine’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Buckhead Steak and Wine reads exactly like you'd expect from a prime Southern steakhouse that's been around since 1995 — California-forward, brand-name heavy, and built to make steak drinkers feel at home. There's no identity crisis here: this list knows its audience and serves them faithfully. Whether that excites you depends entirely on how you feel about Caymus.
The 80-to-150 bottle list leans hard into Napa Valley and Sonoma, with heavy hitters like Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Duckhorn, and Rombauer holding down the anchor positions. Argentina and Bordeaux make an appearance to round things out, but don't expect a deep Old World dive or anything remotely adventurous. The selections are crowd-tested and crowd-pleasing — you're getting the Mount Rushmore of steakhouse wines, not a discovery experience. Gaps in Burgundy, Rhône, and domestic alternatives to Cab are notable if you're looking for something off the beaten path.
With 12 to 20 by-the-glass options priced between $12 and $22, there's enough to work with across multiple courses without committing to a bottle. Expect the pours to skew toward the same California producers dominating the bottle list — which is fine if you want Rombauer Chardonnay with your seafood starter and a Cab with your ribeye. Rotation feels minimal; this reads like a static program rather than one that refreshes with the seasons.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley — $45–$65
Jordan consistently punches above its price class — structured, food-friendly, and far less marked up than the Napa cult bottles on the same list. At a steakhouse, this is the smart order.
Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley
Everyone reaches for Cab at a steakhouse, but Duckhorn's Merlot is a serious wine that gets overlooked by habit. It's plush, structured, and genuinely great with a premium cut — and it won't cost you as much as the Silver Oak sitting next to it.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Caymus is fine wine, but it's also the most marked-up label on nearly every steakhouse list in America. You're paying a brand tax here — the same $100+ will get you more wine and more pleasure elsewhere on this list.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley + Premium beef cut (Kobe-style or dry-aged steak)
Silver Oak's Alexander Valley Cab brings enough dark fruit and vanilla-oak to stand up to a rich, well-marbled steak without overpowering it. Classic steakhouse pairing, executed at a level that earns its price tag.
The Bottom Line
Buckhead Steak and Wine is the reliable anchor of the Columbus dining scene — no surprises, no revelations, but a solid California-heavy list that does exactly what a prime steakhouse wine program should do. Send a friend here for a big steak dinner; just steer them toward the Jordan instead of the Caymus.
Midtown Columbus · Columbus · Seafood
Red Lobster 13th St. is not a wine destination — it's a seafood chain where wine exists because a menu has to have one. Order the Riesling with your lobster tail, enjoy the Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and make your peace with it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverwalk / Downtown Columbus · Columbus · American
Denim & Oak isn't going to make anyone's wine pilgrimage list, but for Columbus, Georgia, it's a legitimately decent place to drink — fair prices, a deep BTG program, and Wine Down Wednesday as a reason to come back. Just steer clear of the Concha y Toro and head straight for the Orin Swift or the Oregon section.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
North Columbus · Columbus · American Barbecue and Grill
Smokey Bones is a perfectly fine place to eat ribs and watch a game — just don't come here for the wine. Order a cold beer, save your wine budget for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Columbus / Whittlesey Boulevard · Columbus · Modern American
Ivory & Oak is a reliable wine stop in a city that isn't exactly crawling with serious lists — the room is great, the pours are familiar, and the markup is the main thing holding it back from something better. Go for the steak, order the Merlot, and don't expect to be challenged.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Airport / East Columbus · Columbus · Hotel Restaurant
If you're stuck at the DoubleTree and the flight is delayed, Houlihan's will keep you fed and adequately watered — but don't mistake that for a wine program worth seeking out. Order the Etude Pinot or the Malbec, skip the sangria, and manage your expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Airport / East Columbus · Columbus · American Bar & Grill
This is airport-adjacent chain wine, full stop — familiar labels at inflated prices for a captive audience that mostly wants something cold and wet after traveling. Order a cocktail instead, or hit the hotel bar and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
Hal's delivers a competent, Napa-forward bottle list that does exactly what a steakhouse wine program is supposed to do — just without much surprise or value mercy. Send a friend here if they want a reliable big-red experience; warn them to leave the credit card breathing room.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Houston · Steakhouse
Perry's is a reliable steakhouse wine list — nothing that'll make you rethink your palate, but enough to drink well with red meat if you know where to look. The fortified and dessert wine section is genuinely worth your attention; the rest is competent but forgettable.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
New York Prime's wine list is exactly what it needs to be for its audience — safe, recognizable, and priced for expense accounts. If you know what you want and don't mind paying for it, you'll be fine; just don't come looking for discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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