California Classics Meet Latin Smoke
Downtown Austin · Austin · Latin Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed April 29, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Ciclo’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ciclo reads like a California greatest hits album — Caymus, Silver Oak, Opus One, Rombauer. If you've eaten at a nice steakhouse in the last decade, you've seen this list before. That's not an insult, exactly, but it is an observation.
With 150-250 bottles, there's real depth here, but the lens is squarely fixed on California. Napa Cabernet dominates — Stag's Leap, Jordan, Duckhorn, Silver Oak — and the Chardonnay column leans hard on Rombauer and Cakebread. To Ciclo's credit, sommelier Joe Pena holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (since 2020), and the program is clearly curated with intention. What you won't find is much adventure beyond California borders — if you're hunting Old World or any Southern Hemisphere depth, you're going to need to look harder.
Twelve to twenty by-the-glass options is a solid range for a restaurant of this caliber, and it lines up with the bottle list's California focus. Don't expect rotating esoterica — this is a program built for confidence, not surprises. If you're ordering before your food arrives, the Cabs and Chardonnays are the safe and sensible play.
Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $40s by the bottle (estimated entry range)
Jordan is a legitimately good Alexander Valley Cab that consistently punches above its retail price point. It's the one on this list that doesn't feel like you're paying purely for a brand name.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone in the room is ordering the Cabs, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked. It shouldn't — this is one of the more food-friendly wines on the list, and it actually plays well with Ciclo's smoke-forward meats and ceviche prep.
Opus One
At steakhouse markups, Opus One lands at a price where you're mostly paying for the label. The wine is good — it's always good — but at Ciclo's pricing tier, that money goes further elsewhere on the list.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Grilled Meats
Stag's Leap has always been a leaner, more elegant style of Napa Cab — enough structure to stand up to the char and smoke without overwhelming the actual flavor of the meat. It's the right call when the kitchen is firing on the grill.
The Bottom Line
Ciclo is a reliable, well-run California-centric wine program that does exactly what it says on the menu — it just charges you for the privilege. If you're here for the steakhouse experience and want a Cab that won't embarrass you, Joe Pena's list delivers. Just don't expect to be surprised.
· Austin · Steakhouse
Perry's is a competent steakhouse wine program that won't embarrass you, but it won't thrill you either. The by-the-glass breadth is the real story here — 37 options gives you room to explore without committing to a bottle. Just don't come expecting adventurous picks or fair markups across the board; come expecting a list that gets the job done for a celebratory dinner without too much fuss.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Austin · Seafood Steakhouse
Truluck's Austin runs a by-the-glass program that genuinely outperforms what most standalone seafood houses manage, with producers like Markus Molitor and Drouhin-Vaudon sitting next to the expected California lineup. Pricing is fair without being flashy. If you're eating seafood and want to drink well without committing to a bottle, this list has you covered — just work through the whites and bubbles and don't let the Napa trophy bottles at the top drain your wallet.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Austin · Upscale American Seafood and Steakhouse
Eddie V's is a reliable wine destination in the sense that a well-pressed suit is reliable — it won't let you down, but it won't make anyone's year-end list either. If you're on a date, celebrating something, or just need a wine program that won't embarrass you in front of a client, this is a safe and comfortable call. Just don't expect to find anything that makes you pull out your phone to take a note.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Austin · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Austin is not a destination wine list, but it's a legitimately fair one — South American focus, honest prices, and a couple of genuine steals hiding in plain sight. If you're here for the espeto corrido experience, grab a VIK blend at $30 and don't overthink it.
Plays It Safe
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Austin · Steakhouse
ALC Steaks plays it safe and plays it competently — this is a wine list that serves the room without challenging it. If you know what you're looking for, there are smart picks buried in here; if you don't, you'll still drink fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Austin · Austin · American, Italian
Sammie's is a genuinely fun room with a wine list that's earned its Wine Spectator hardware — the Italian depth is real, the sommelier knows her stuff, and Monday half-price bottles might be the best deal in Austin. Just go in knowing the markups lean steep, and let Jenny point you toward the plays that aren't on the tourist track.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
