Familiar Labels, Unfamiliar Markups
Unknown · Virginia Beach · American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Chops reads like a greatest hits album from the grocery store aisle — Ruffino, Sonoma Cutrer, Quilt — names your aunt recognizes from the holidays. It's not offensive, but it's not trying very hard either. For a steakhouse, you'd hope the bottle list would at least match the ambition of the ribeye.
The list pulls from Italy, California, Paso Robles, Napa, New Zealand, and France, which sounds impressive on paper but lands as a shallow skim across all of them. California dominates the reds with crowd-favorite labels like Bonanza by Caymus and Quilt Cab — dependable, recognizable, and priced for maximum margin. There are a few interesting detours, like the Matthews Cabernet from Columbia Valley and the 1448 Red Blend from Jeff Runquist, but they're more accidental than curated. No serious Rhône, no Barolo, no aged anything — this is a list built for easy sells, not wine lovers.
Twenty-three by-the-glass options is a respectable number, and the $12–$20 range gives you some room to move. The problem is the pours mirror the bottle list — safe, familiar, and marked up aggressively. Don't expect rotation or seasonal swaps; what's on the menu today was probably there six months ago.
Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley — $68
At 143% markup, it's the least painful option on the list and actually delivers — Columbia Valley Cab punches above its weight, and Matthews is a legit producer most tables will walk right past in favor of the Quilt.
1448 Red Blend Jeff Runquist
Jeff Runquist is a real winemaker doing real work in Amador County, and most diners have never heard of him. The 1448 blend is dense and food-friendly — exactly what you want next to a prime rib — and it's being ignored by everyone ordering the Bonanza.
Freixenet Brut Cava
A 357% markup on a $14 supermarket Cava is almost impressive in its audacity. Freixenet is fine for a New Year's toast at home; it's not worth $64 at a steakhouse. Order a cocktail.
Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon by Caymus + Ribeye
Bonanza is built for exactly this moment — it's a fruit-forward, easy-drinking Cab with enough structure to hold up against a well-marbled ribeye without demanding your full attention. It's not the most exciting pairing, but it's the most reliable one on this list.
❌ The Bottom Line
Chops is a solid steakhouse that treats wine as an afterthought — familiar labels, steep markups, and no real evidence that anyone obsessed over the list. Stick to the Matthews or the Runquist if you're ordering a bottle, and maybe let the cocktail menu handle the rest.
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Basic Stemmed
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Acceptable
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Varietal Specific
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Solid Range
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Solid Range
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Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
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Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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