Roanoke's California-forward steakhouse does the job
Roanoke · Roanoke · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 30, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Frankie Rowland's reads like a greatest hits album of California Cabernet — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap all showing up in the first few pages. It's a comfortable, familiar lineup that won't surprise anyone, but it absolutely fits the room. You're here to eat steak, and these wines were born for exactly that.
The list runs 150-250 bottles deep with a hard lean into California, particularly Napa Cabernet and Chardonnay. Caymus and Silver Oak anchor the reds, while Far Niente and Cakebread hold down the white side with credibility. What's missing is any meaningful detour into Burgundy, Barolo, or even Willamette Valley Pinot — if you want anything outside the California comfort zone, you're largely out of luck. That said, the producers they've chosen are genuinely good, and the list earned its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2025 for a reason.
Twelve to twenty options by the glass with prices landing between $10 and $18, which is reasonable for an upscale steakhouse in this market. The range skews predictably toward California, but having Duckhorn Merlot and Cakebread Chardonnay accessible by the glass is a genuine win for people who don't want to commit to a full bottle. Rotation appears minimal — this is a steady-state program, not one that's chasing seasonal pours.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $35 glass range / bottle TBD
Jordan is the quiet professional on this list — less flashy than Caymus, more nuanced, and consistently one of the best expressions of Alexander Valley Cab at its price point. If it's available by the glass, order it without overthinking.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone's ordering Cab here, and Duckhorn's Merlot gets ignored as a result. That's a mistake. It's a more food-flexible wine — softer tannins, plummy depth — and it actually sings alongside the truffle mac and cheese in a way a big Napa Cab never will.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine — it's always fine — but it's also the most marked-up wine on every steakhouse list in America. You're paying for the name recognition, full stop. The Jordan or Stag's Leap gets you more interesting juice for less ego tax.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Prime dry-aged ribeye
Stag's Leap built its reputation on structure and elegance — the kind of Cab that cuts through fat without beating you over the head with tannin. Against a dry-aged ribeye with all that savory, concentrated beefy richness, it finds its footing perfectly.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Frankie Rowland's isn't trying to be a wine destination — it's a serious steakhouse with a serious enough wine program to back up the beef. The California focus is narrow but well-executed, and having a knowledgeable staffer in Aniket Rajguru on the floor makes a real difference. Send your Cab-loving friends here without hesitation.
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