California Classics, Live Fire, No Surprises
Downtown Austin · Austin · American, Seasonal · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed April 27, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Garrison’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Inside the Fairmont Austin, Garrison's wine list reads like a greatest hits of California — recognizable names, safe bets, and a few bottles that justify the hotel zip code tax. It's curated, it's polished, and it's exactly what you'd expect from a live-fire American restaurant that knows its clientele.
The list leans hard into California, and it does so without apology — Ridge, Caymus, Shafer, Duckhorn, Far Niente, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Opus One. These are names that sell themselves, and that's kind of the point. You won't find any skin-contact Slovenian outliers here, but you will find some genuinely well-regarded producers that hold up under scrutiny. The gaps show up in depth beyond California — this isn't a list that stretches its legs internationally, and the 150-250 bottle range, while respectable, stays firmly in the comfort zone. Wine Spectator has recognized it with an Award of Excellence since 2019, and honestly, that credential tracks.
The by-the-glass program runs 12-20 options, which is a solid pour count for a hotel restaurant. Expect California-forward selections that mirror the bottle list — nothing adventurous, but the quality floor is high. We'd love to see more rotation, but what's there is dependable.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $60
Jordan punches above its price point consistently, and at a hotel restaurant it's one of the more reasonably positioned bottles on the list — crowd-pleasing without being cheap, and a known quantity worth ordering with confidence.
Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Most people at Garrison are going straight for the Opus One or Caymus, which means Ridge — a producer with serious pedigree and a long track record of overdelivering — tends to get overlooked. That's good news for anyone paying attention.
Opus One
Yes, it's impressive. Yes, it'll cost you. Inside a hotel restaurant at Red River and Cesar Chavez, the markup on Opus One is doing a lot of heavy lifting for the house. You're paying for the name on the label and the room you're sitting in. Save it for a cellar with better conditions.
Shafer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon + Akaushi wagyu ribeye
Shafer's structure and dark fruit hold their own against the richness of Akaushi beef off a live-fire grill — the char and smoke find something to push against, and neither the wine nor the steak blinks first.
The Bottom Line
Garrison is a reliable hotel wine program done right — California-focused, professionally executed, and holding a well-earned Wine Spectator credential. Just know you're paying Fairmont prices, and order accordingly.
· Austin · Steakhouse
Perry's is a competent steakhouse wine program that won't embarrass you, but it won't thrill you either. The by-the-glass breadth is the real story here — 37 options gives you room to explore without committing to a bottle. Just don't come expecting adventurous picks or fair markups across the board; come expecting a list that gets the job done for a celebratory dinner without too much fuss.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Austin · Seafood Steakhouse
Truluck's Austin runs a by-the-glass program that genuinely outperforms what most standalone seafood houses manage, with producers like Markus Molitor and Drouhin-Vaudon sitting next to the expected California lineup. Pricing is fair without being flashy. If you're eating seafood and want to drink well without committing to a bottle, this list has you covered — just work through the whites and bubbles and don't let the Napa trophy bottles at the top drain your wallet.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Austin · Upscale American Seafood and Steakhouse
Eddie V's is a reliable wine destination in the sense that a well-pressed suit is reliable — it won't let you down, but it won't make anyone's year-end list either. If you're on a date, celebrating something, or just need a wine program that won't embarrass you in front of a client, this is a safe and comfortable call. Just don't expect to find anything that makes you pull out your phone to take a note.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Austin · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Austin is not a destination wine list, but it's a legitimately fair one — South American focus, honest prices, and a couple of genuine steals hiding in plain sight. If you're here for the espeto corrido experience, grab a VIK blend at $30 and don't overthink it.
Plays It Safe
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Austin · Steakhouse
ALC Steaks plays it safe and plays it competently — this is a wine list that serves the room without challenging it. If you know what you're looking for, there are smart picks buried in here; if you don't, you'll still drink fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Austin · Austin · American, Italian
Sammie's is a genuinely fun room with a wine list that's earned its Wine Spectator hardware — the Italian depth is real, the sommelier knows her stuff, and Monday half-price bottles might be the best deal in Austin. Just go in knowing the markups lean steep, and let Jenny point you toward the plays that aren't on the tourist track.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Hudson Yards · New York · American, Seasonal
A hotel restaurant whose list opens with a 13-pour glass page and then moves through Champagne, Burgundy, Austria and other regions. Start with the $29 Prager Grüner Veltliner or the $24 Do Ferreiro Albariño by the glass alongside the chilled oysters, and confirm current pricing since the list is dated 09.30.26. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Lovejoy Wharf · Boston · American, Seasonal
A compact glass list and a bottle list sorted by mood instead of grape, with a $55 floor and a few real splurges at the top. Start with the $55 Jean Foillard Beaujolais-Villages or the $63 Domaine de la Noblaie Chinon, and confirm availability because the bottle list is dated 4.19.26. This unrated guide covers the posted wine and drinks lists, not service, storage or markups.
Millcreek Canyon · Salt Lake City · American, Seasonal
A wide-ranging list that posts names and vintages but almost no prices. Try the Kranso Belo by the glass, or the Longoria "Lovely Rita" Pinot Noir with the elk loin, and ask your server what each costs. The page is undated apart from the 1998 - 2024 award badge, so confirm availability. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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