Fort Wayne's safe bet for a steak and Cab
Northwest (Jefferson Pointe / Illinois Rd corridor) · Fort Wayne · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 26, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walk into Eddie Merlot's and the wine list announces itself before you even sit down — this place takes wine seriously, or at least takes the appearance of taking wine seriously seriously. The list is long, the stems are right, and a sommelier is actually on staff, which is more than most steakhouses in Indiana can say. The vibe is special-occasion polished, and the list is dressed to match.
The list leans hard into California — Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Duckhorn, Rombauer — a Mount Rushmore of crowd-pleasing, recognizable labels that will make your table happy but won't surprise anyone who's been to a steakhouse in the last decade. There's a reserve section for big spenders, and the chain advertises a broad international selection, but the heart of this list is domestic and recognizable. If you came hoping for a grower Champagne or a Barolo hiding in the back pages, you might be disappointed. What's here is executed well, sourced correctly, and stored properly — it's just not an adventure.
Seventy-five wines by the glass is a headline number, and credit where it's due — that's a serious commitment to glass pours for a Fort Wayne steakhouse. The practical reality is that most of those options cluster around the same California Cab and Chardonnay archetypes you'd expect, but the sheer volume means you can find something that works at multiple price points. Rotation and freshness are the real question marks with a list that wide; ask your server which bottles have been recently opened.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) — null
Jordan is consistently one of the more fairly priced Napa-adjacent Cabs on steakhouse lists — it's structured enough to stand up to a ribeye without carrying the Silver Oak surcharge. If the markup here is in line with chain-wide norms, Jordan is the move before you climb to the reserve tier.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot (Napa Valley)
Everyone at the table is reaching for the Cab, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets ignored. That's a mistake. Duckhorn is the reason Merlot deserved better than what Sideways did to it — rich, structured, and genuinely great with a filet. Order it and watch your tablemates reconsider their choices.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
Caymus is fine. It's also on every steakhouse list in America at a markup that reflects the brand name more than what's in the bottle. You're paying for the recognizability. The Jordan or Duckhorn next to it will drink just as well and leave more money on the table for dessert.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) + Bone-in Ribeye
Silver Oak's Alexander Valley Cab is built for exactly this moment — the fat of a bone-in ribeye needs a wine with enough tannin and acid to cut through it, and Silver Oak delivers that with enough fruit to keep things festive. It's a splurge, but if you're already ordering the ribeye, you're already in splurge territory.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Eddie Merlot's Fort Wayne is a reliably well-run steakhouse wine program — proper storage, real glassware, a sommelier on the floor, and enough pours by the glass to satisfy a full table. The list won't challenge you, and the markups will sting, but if you want a classic California Cab with your prime beef and you want it done right, this place delivers.
Downtown-adjacent / Near West · Fort Wayne · Italian market and deli
Antonuccio's isn't a restaurant wine program — it's something more interesting: a genuine Italian market where you can eat well and leave with better bottles than most Fort Wayne restaurants will ever pour you. Come for lunch, leave with a Chianti, zero regrets.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jefferson Pointe · Fort Wayne · American – Gourmet Burgers & Pub Fare
BRU Burger Bar is genuinely great at what it does — burgers, fries, a cold beer. The wine list exists as an afterthought for guests who don't drink beer, and it should be treated accordingly. Order a craft draft, save the wine for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jefferson Pointe / West Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne · Asian Fusion
Nawa is a fine place to eat; the wine list won't embarrass anyone, but it won't excite them either. Grab the Amarone or the Broquel Malbec, ignore the celebrity bottles, and let the food do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / West Central · Fort Wayne · American Tavern / Bar Food
Henry's is a bar that happens to take its wine list seriously enough to matter, and the Wednesday half-price deal is the kind of thing you should have already texted your friends about. Don't overthink it — show up, order the Belleruche, and feel good about your Wednesday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Southwest Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne · Winery with American Grill / Bistro Fare
Vinland Reserve is the rare Indiana winery that earns a second look — barrel-aged hybrids, honest Bordeaux imports, and some of the most approachable pricing in the region. Wine Wednesday alone makes this worth adding to the rotation.
Surprising Depth
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Southwest / Time Corners · Fort Wayne · American
Catablu is exactly what it needs to be for its neighborhood — a reliable, thoughtfully maintained list that won't embarrass you on a date night or bore you entirely. It's not a destination wine list, but it's a solid supporting act for a kitchen that clearly takes food seriously.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Clinton · Fort Wayne · Upscale American Steakhouse
BakerStreet is a solid steakhouse wine list that does exactly what it promises: familiar bottles, fair enough range, nothing adventurous. If you're in Fort Wayne and want a proper glass with a proper steak, this works — just don't come expecting to be surprised.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Harbor Boulevard · Anaheim · Upscale American Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Anaheim does exactly what a reliable steakhouse wine program should do — proper storage, proper glass, knowledgeable staff, and a list full of wines people recognize and trust. Just don't come here looking for discovery; come here to drink something good with a very good steak, and manage your expectations on the markup.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Anaheim Resort District · Anaheim · Upscale American Steakhouse
Morton's Anaheim is a reliable, well-maintained list built for people who already know what they want — and that's fine, as long as you're not expecting anyone to push your palate. Send your expense-account clients here without hesitation; send your wine-curious friends with a specific bottle already in mind.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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