Roanoke's California-forward steakhouse does the job
Roanoke · Roanoke · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 30, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Frankie Rowland's Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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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.
Downtown Roanoke · Roanoke · Cocktail Bar with Neapolitan-style Pizza
Stellina is a cocktail bar that happens to have a thoughtful four-bottle wine list, which is more than most cocktail bars can say. If you're there for the vibe and the pizza, the wine program will take care of you just fine — don't show up expecting a deep cellar.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hollins / North Roanoke · Roanoke · Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi
Tokyo is a hibachi restaurant that happens to have wine, not the other way around — and that's fine, but don't make the wine the reason you come. Stick to the sake options, keep your glass price low, and enjoy the show.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Valley View / North Roanoke · Roanoke · American Chain
TGI Friday's Roanoke is a fine place to grab a beer or a Jack and Coke, but the wine program is a corporate afterthought with steep markups on bottom-shelf bottles. Order a cocktail, save the wine for somewhere that gives a damn.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
South Roanoke / Franklin Road · Roanoke · American
Shakers isn't a wine destination — it's a reliable neighborhood spot where the wine program does its job without drama. If you're here for ribs and a casual pour, you'll leave satisfied; just don't show up expecting discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Valley View / North Roanoke · Roanoke · Mexican
Abuelo's wine list exists to check a box, not to enhance your dinner — stick to the cocktails and revisit this list never. If someone at your table insists on wine, go Joel Gott and call it a night.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Southern Hills / Franklin Road · Roanoke · Steakhouse Chain
The markups are honest and the Mollydooker pour is a genuine saving grace, but this list exists to check a corporate box, not to help you drink well. Order the Mollydooker with your steak, skip any bottle over $40, and keep your expectations calibrated to the Bloomin' Onion energy of the room.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
National Park Corridor / Parkway · Gatlinburg · American, Steakhouse
The Park Grill is a reliable dinner stop if you're winding down after a day in the Smokies and want a solid glass of California wine with your steak — just don't expect the list to reward curiosity or spare your wallet. Send your friends here for the food and the vibe; tell them to drink the Sonoma-Cutrer and not overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Stowe Village · Stowe · American, Steakhouse
Harrison's is the kind of reliable neighborhood anchor that Stowe regulars and ski-weekend visitors can count on — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't let you down either. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink fine; just don't send them expecting a deep dive.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Denver · Denver · American, Steakhouse
Range is a confident, well-kept steakhouse list that won't surprise you but absolutely won't let you down — especially if California Cabs are your language. Just come in with your eyes open on pricing, and let Dan steer you toward the Jordan.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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