California Classics Meet Southern Comfort Done Right
Franklin · Southern American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 24, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Cork & Cow’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Cork & Cow reads like a Greatest Hits of California — Caymus, Silver Oak, Far Niente, Cakebread — all the names your uncle drops at Thanksgiving. It's a well-curated comfort zone, and in a steakhouse on Franklin's main drag, that's not a knock. The list holds an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, earned consistently since 2013, which tells you they're taking this seriously even if they're not swinging for the fences.
With 150-250 bottles on the list, there's real depth here — it just happens to live almost entirely in California. Stag's Leap, Jordan, Duckhorn, Silver Oak Alexander Valley — the heavy hitters are all present and accounted for. What you won't find is much Old World representation, any natural wine rabbit holes, or regional curiosities to chase. This is a list built to satisfy a steakhouse crowd, and it does exactly that without surprising anyone.
Twenty to thirty-five pours by the glass is genuinely generous — that's enough range to drink well from start to finish without committing to a bottle. Glass prices run $12–$22, which is fair for the caliber of wines being poured. We'd like to see the selection rotate more aggressively, but what's there is solid.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $40–$60 range (bottle)
Jordan sits in a sweet spot on this list — it's recognizable enough to feel safe but actually delivers serious Alexander Valley Cab at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. It's the bottle we'd order without hesitation for a table-wide pour.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at a steakhouse reaches for Cabernet, which means Duckhorn's Merlot gets overlooked. That's a mistake. It's richer and more supple than the varietal's reputation suggests, and it's easier on the wallet than most of the Cabs on this list.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere — on every steakhouse list in America — and it's marked up accordingly. The wine is fine, but you're paying a premium for the name recognition, not the glass. There are better Cabs on this list at a lower price point.
Far Niente Chardonnay + Lobster Mac and Cheese
Far Niente's Chardonnay brings enough richness and oak-kissed weight to match the butter-forward decadence of the lobster mac without getting lost. It's an indulgent call, but you're already at a steakhouse — lean into it.
The Bottom Line
Cork & Cow won't blow your mind, but it earns its Wine Spectator credentials with a dependable, California-forward list that fits the room perfectly. Send your steak-loving friends here with confidence — just steer them away from the Caymus.
· Franklin · Steakhouse
Char is a genuinely enjoyable steakhouse with a wine list that does the job without doing much more. The room earns its keep; the wine program is still a passenger rather than a co-pilot. If you're coming here for the Prime beef and the atmosphere, you'll eat well — just don't expect the list to take you anywhere the food isn't already going. Worth a visit, but bring your own expectations in check at the wine menu.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Franklin · Asian Street Food
Hawkers Franklin is doing more with twelve bottles than most casual chains do with thirty. The white-heavy, aromatic-leaning list is clearly built with the food in mind — even if it was done at the corporate level rather than by someone in this specific kitchen. If you're eating here, lean into the Gamay or Vinho Verde and skip the impulse to order Cab. It won't change your life, but it'll make dinner better.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Franklin · Seafood
If you're here for wine, you're at the wrong restaurant — but the pricing is honest and the Sauvignon Blanc won't ruin your dinner. Order a cocktail and save your wine energy for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Franklin · Italian
This is a chain wine list doing exactly what chain wine lists do — keeping it safe, keeping it recognizable, and marking it up just enough to pad margins. Drink here because you're having dinner, not because you're having wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Franklin · Franklin · Hotel Restaurant / Southern
1799 is a solid option when you're already staying at The Harpeth or dining for the atmosphere — the Southern food looks genuinely good and the room earns its upscale-casual reputation. But if wine is your reason for going out, Franklin has better options; this list is there to serve the food, not the other way around.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Franklin · Italian
Pelato Franklin isn't going to make wine pilgrims drive down from Nashville, but it's doing more than the Italian-suburban average — an orange wine, some solid regional Italian whites, and a few California names that earn their spot. Come for the food, stay curious about the list.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Nashville · Nashville · Southern American, Steakhouse
Deacon's won't expand your wine horizons, but if California Cabernet with your steak is the plan — and in Nashville, it often is — Andrew Lizardo's program delivers with confidence. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is earned, even if the list plays it safe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Florence · Florence · Southern American, Steakhouse
Victors is a reliable wine stop for anyone who likes knowing exactly what they're getting — California icons, a decent glass program, and zero adventure tax. If you're in Florence and want a solid Cab with your steak, this gets the job done; just don't show up looking for discovery.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Plaza Midwood · Charlotte · Southern American, Steakhouse
Supperland is a genuinely wild place to drink wine — stained glass overhead, a cast iron skillet on the table, and a bottle of Tignanello on the list. The markups aren't generous and no sommelier is guiding you, but if you know what you're looking for, this Wine Spectator-recognized list delivers for a Southern steakhouse in a church.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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