A Solid Steakhouse List That Earns Its Keep
Church Street Marketplace · Burlington · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 18, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed EB Strong's Prime Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at EB Strong's reads exactly like you'd expect from a polished Church Street steakhouse — California heavyweights up front, a few European nods tucked in the middle, and Caymus sitting at the top like it owns the place. It's not trying to surprise you, and mostly it doesn't. But there's more going on here than the room lets on.
The list spans roughly 75–120 bottles with a clear California-forward tilt — Hedges from Washington and Caymus from Napa anchor the reds, while the white side shows some genuine range with Henri Bourgeois in the Loire, August Kesseler's Riesling Kabinett from the Rheingau, and the Jasci Pecorino from Abruzzo adding character. Argentina gets a seat at the table via Piattelli Vineyards Malbec, and Domaine de Boutinot covers the Rhône side. The French and Italian picks are the hidden backbone here — they outperform the big Cali names at their price points. The gaps are real though: no serious Burgundy, no Barolo, and the Champagne section leans heavily on Mumm Napa, which is technically sparkling wine from California.
Thirteen by-the-glass options is a respectable count for a steakhouse of this size, and the selection pulls from across the list — you can get the Lyric by Etude Pinot Noir, the Domaine Bousquet Malbec, or the Henri Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc without committing to a full bottle. The Diora Chardonnay and Valeriole 'Ve' Rosé give the lighter-drinkers something real to work with. Rotation appears to happen, though it's not aggressive — this reads more like a thoughtfully curated standing lineup than a dynamic BTG program.
August Kesseler Riesling Kabinett — null
German Kabinett Riesling at a steakhouse is a rare find and almost always under-priced relative to its quality. Kesseler makes a genuinely serious wine from the Rheingau — bright, precise, with enough acid to cut through butter-basted beef or stand up to raw bar selections. If it's priced anywhere near what it should be, it's the smartest pour on the list.
Jasci Pecorino
Most tables at EB Strong's are ordering Chardonnay or Cabernet and never looking twice at a Pecorino from Abruzzo. That's a mistake. The grape is underrated nationally, Jasci makes a clean, textured version, and it's exactly the kind of white that works against rich seafood like scallops or salmon without disappearing. It'll be the most interesting wine on your table.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is the Olive Garden of Napa Cab — not bad wine, just dramatically overpriced for what it delivers, and steakhouses mark it up even further because they know people will order it. At a place like EB Strong's you're likely paying $120–$150+ for a bottle that retails for $85 and drinks like a brand, not a wine. The Hedges or the Côtes du Rhône from Boutinot will outperform it dollar for dollar.
Domaine de Boutinot Côtes du Rhône + USDA Prime Ribeye
A Southern Rhône blend — likely Grenache-forward with some Syrah — has the fruit weight to match a prime ribeye's fat and char without the oak bomb that a Napa Cab delivers. It's food wine in the best sense: it makes the steak taste better, not just louder.
Wednesday — Wine Wednesday: half-price bottles all day, plus half-price appetizers from 4–6 PM.
The Bottom Line
EB Strong's has a wine list that does the job well and occasionally surprises you — especially if you look past the Caymus and dig into the European picks. Wednesday's half-price bottle program makes it one of the better wine-value nights in Burlington, full stop.
Waterfront · Burlington · Craft Brewery with Bar Snacks
Foam is a brewery first, but the wine program punches way above its weight class — it's small, local, and priced like they actually want you to drink it. If you're on Burlington's waterfront and want something interesting in your glass that isn't a hazy IPA, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Burlington · New American with Vegan Options
The Daily Planet isn't a wine destination, but it has the instincts of one — a thoughtful natural wine pick, Monday half-price bottles, and fair pricing in a casual room that doesn't take itself too seriously. Send a friend here on a Monday and tell them to ask about the orange wine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown · Burlington · New American Bistro
The Gryphon is a reliable neighborhood bistro with a wine list that matches its ambitions exactly: familiar, functional, and forgettable. Come for the burgers and brick walls, but don't expect the wine to be the highlight of your night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Burlington · Neapolitan wood-fired pizza and Italian cuisine
Pizzeria Verità isn't trying to be a wine destination and it doesn't need to be — it's a smart, Italy-focused list with honest markups and a few genuinely interesting bottles tucked in among the crowd-pleasers. Go for the pizza, order the Nebbiolo or the Cirò, and leave happy.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Burlington · Seasonal New American, farm-to-table
Hen of the Wood Burlington is the rare restaurant where the wine list is as considered as the food, and that's saying something when the kitchen is this good. If you're driving through Vermont and care about what's in your glass, this is worth a reservation.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Church Street · Burlington · French
Leunig's earns its Wild Card status by doing something Burlington doesn't do enough of — putting Vermont wine front and center on a real list, in a real bistro, without making it feel like a novelty. Send a friend here if they think Vermont wine isn't worth ordering.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Seaport · Boston · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's is a reliable date-night or business-dinner destination in the Seaport, and the wine program is functional enough to get the job done — but markup at this category of steakhouse tends to run steep, and the list probably isn't going to surprise you. If you're here for the Prime ribeye, order a glass of whatever Cab is open and don't overthink it; if you're here specifically to drink well, we'd want to see the actual list before making promises.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's Columbus is a reliable steakhouse wine experience — well-managed, California-forward, and backed by actual staff expertise. Just know that you're paying steakhouse markups in a steakhouse setting, and the list isn't going to take you anywhere unexpected. If you want a great bottle with a great steak and don't need the wine to steal the show, this works.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Fort Point · Boston · Upscale American Steakhouse
Set your wine budget before opening the list. Greenwing Cabernet at $18 a glass or $72 a bottle is a straightforward red option. This is an unrated menu guide; it does not assess service, storage or glassware.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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