Chama Gaucha
Bold Reds Built for Carnivore Season
Scottsdale · Scottsdale · Brazilian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 16, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Chama Gaucha arrives with the confidence of a gaucho wheeling a full skewer of picanha to your table — assertive, meat-forward, and not particularly interested in subtlety. It's a focused South American-leaning list with California cameos, clearly designed to serve one purpose: get bold red wine in front of people eating large quantities of beef. That's not a knock. It's a mission statement.
Selection Deep Dive
Argentina and Chile anchor the list, with Mendoza Malbec doing the heavy lifting — Catena Zapata and Clos de los Siete are the headliners, and they're solid choices that make sense here. Chile gets a proper nod with Concha y Toro's Don Melchor Cabernet, which is a genuinely serious bottle and one of the best reasons to open your wallet at this table. California shows up via Jordan Cabernet, a crowd-pleasing Sonoma name that earns its spot. Brazil gets a token presence, which is thematically appropriate but doesn't add much depth. There's no Old World to speak of, and if you're hunting for Burgundy or Barolo, you're at the wrong churrascaria.
By the Glass
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass is respectable for a steakhouse format, and the program sensibly skews toward reds that can stand up to charred meat. Don't expect much experimentation here — it's Malbec, Cab, and a handful of whites for the table members who drew the short straw. Rotation appears minimal; this is a set-it-and-forget-it glass program.
Clos de los Siete Malbec — $40
Michel Rolland's Mendoza blend punches well above its price point — it's structured enough to hold its own against picanha and priced at the low end of the list. Best QPR on the menu.
Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon
Most tables at a churrascaria reach for Malbec on instinct, but Don Melchor is one of Chile's benchmark Cabs and a legitimately great bottle that gets overlooked because it's sitting next to more familiar names.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
Jordan is a fine, reliable Sonoma Cab — but it's also available at nearly every steakhouse in America, and the markup here won't be doing you any favors. You can find this bottle at retail for much less. Spend up to Don Melchor instead.
Catena Zapata Malbec + Picanha
Picanha's rich fat cap and charred crust need a wine with enough fruit and structure to match — Catena Zapata's Malbec has the depth and dark berry weight to go toe-to-toe without getting lost. Classic combination, and it works every time.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Chama Gaucha's wine list is exactly what it needs to be: red-meat-ready, South American-first, and accessible without being embarrassing. It's not a destination for wine lovers, but it won't let you down if you stick to the Mendoza and Chilean anchors.
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