California classics done right in Central Illinois
Peoria · Peoria · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Connected’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 Connected, the wine list reads like a greatest-hits compilation of California's most recognizable names — Caymus, Silver Oak, Rombauer. It's a crowd-pleaser approach, executed with enough care to earn a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence that's been running since 2020. For Peoria, this is genuinely as good as it gets.
The list sits around 100-150 bottles and leans hard into California, which is exactly what Wine Spectator called out as their strength. You'll find the usual Napa heavyweights — Stag's Leap, Jordan, Duckhorn, Cakebread — all present and accounted for. What's missing is any real adventure: no Willamette Valley Pinot, no interesting imports, no natural wine detour. Sommelier Troy Ummel keeps things tight and well-sourced, but the list isn't built to surprise you.
With 12-20 pours by the glass, there's a decent spread to work with across the $10-$18 range. The program skews toward the same California names that dominate the bottle list, which is consistent if not exactly exciting. Rombauer Chardonnay by the glass is a crowd-pleasing move that'll keep most of the table happy.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $35-$50
Jordan consistently punches above its price point in Napa-adjacent quality, and it's one of the more fairly priced bottles on a list that skews steep. It's the kind of wine that makes a steakhouse dinner feel like the right decision.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone at this table is ordering Cab, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked. That's a mistake. Duckhorn is one of the best Merlot producers in Napa and this bottle will hold its own next to any Cabernet on the list — often at a friendlier price.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine. It's also everywhere, and restaurant markups on this bottle are rarely kind. At a place like Connected, you can almost certainly do better with Jordan or Stag's Leap for the same spend or less.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Steak
Stag's Leap built its reputation on structured, elegant Cabernet that doesn't bludgeon you with fruit — exactly what you want next to a properly cooked steak. The tannins do the work, the beef does the rest.
The Bottom Line
Connected is the best wine list in Peoria, and it earns that quietly with a well-maintained California program and a knowledgeable sommelier who actually shows up. Just don't come looking for anything outside the lines — this list knows what it is and plays it straight.
Downtown · Peoria · Hotel Steakhouse
Oak & Prime is a reliable pour for a classic steakhouse night — safe, familiar, and priced accordingly steep. Don't come hunting for discovery, but know that the bones are solid if you stick to the right bottles.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Peoria · Peoria · Seafood
Red Lobster's wine list does exactly what corporate intended: give guests something recognizable to order without scaring anyone off. If you calibrate expectations accordingly — and let the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling do the heavy lifting — you won't be miserable. But you won't be talking about the wine on the drive home either.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Peoria · Peoria · Steakhouse
LongHorn Peoria is a fine place to eat a steak; it is not a fine place to drink wine. Order a cocktail or a beer, enjoy your ribeye, and save the wine night for somewhere that actually cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Peoria · Peoria · Steakhouse
Jim's isn't trying to win a wine award, and it doesn't need to — the list is honest, fairly priced by steakhouse standards, and built to serve the room. If you're in Peoria and want a proper steak with a decent bottle, this is where you go.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Peoria · Peoria · Italian
Rizzi's is a perfectly nice neighborhood Italian spot, and we have no notes on the food — but the wine program is an afterthought with five California bottles and no pricing transparency. Order a cocktail or bring your own if corkage is an option.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Peoria Heights · Peoria · Euramerican Gastropub
The Publik House is a solid spot for a craft beer and a burger — but if wine is your thing, you'll be paying too much for too little. Order the beer.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eagle Ranch · Vail · American
The Wild Sage is your dependable neighborhood spot in Eagle Ranch — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you at dinner either. Watch the markups on the top-shelf Napa bottles and stick to the mid-range, and you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Traverse City · American
Warehouse Kitchen + Cork won't win any awards for depth or ambition, but it plays its hand honestly — fair prices, solid local representation, and a full by-the-glass program that respects your wallet. If you're in Traverse City and want a glass of something local with a water view, this works.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Truckee · Truckee · American
Sunnyside is a casual lodge restaurant wearing a serious wine list under its flannel — the markup is steep and it won't win any awards for staff expertise, but the producer lineup is legitimately impressive for where you're sitting. If you're already at the lake, this is absolutely worth ordering a real bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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