California Classics Meet Southern Comfort Done Right
Franklin · Franklin · Southern American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 24, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Cork & Cow’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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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.
Cool Springs · Franklin · Steakhouse
Perry's Cool Springs is a reliable night out if someone else is paying, but the wine list is doing the bare minimum — crowd-pleasing producers, steep markups, and a noticeable lack of anything that earns its price on merit alone. Stick to Social Hour if you want to drink well without the sticker shock.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Cool Springs · Franklin · Upscale Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Franklin is a reliable wine execution at a chain price point — nobody's going home unhappy, but nobody's going home with a story either. Go on a Wednesday, hit the half-price bottle promotion, and drink better than the menu's markup would otherwise allow.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Cool Springs · Franklin · Italian Chain
The wine list at Olive Garden Franklin is a corporate checklist, not a wine program — the markups are steep for what you're getting, the selection hasn't taken a risk in its life, and the best move is honestly to order a cocktail or just lean hard into the breadsticks. If you're committed to wine, grab the Chianti and don't look back.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cool Springs · Franklin · Steakhouse Chain
Outback Franklin's wine list is competent in the way a rental car is competent — it gets you where you're going, but you're not going to talk about it later. Order the steak, consider a cocktail, and save the serious bottle for somewhere that actually cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cool Springs · Franklin · Steakhouse, Classic American
Sperry's Cool Springs is a dependable steakhouse wine list that doesn't ask much of you — and doesn't ask much of itself either. Come on a Monday, grab a bottle at half price, order the ribeye, and you'll have a genuinely good night without overthinking it.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Cool Springs · Franklin · Asian fusion / Chinese-inspired chain restaurant
P.F. Chang's Cool Springs is here to feed a crowd, not to impress a wine drinker. The list is fine the way an airport moving walkway is fine — it gets you somewhere, but nobody's excited about it. If you're eating here, pick something by the glass, keep it simple, and save the serious wine for a different night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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
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