Kentucky's Best Steak Deserves Better Wine
Downtown / State Street · Bowling Green · Steakhouse / Contemporary American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 12, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Hickory & Oak’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Hickory & Oak reads exactly like you'd expect from a polished steakhouse in a bourbon-forward town — heavy on California, safe at every turn, and priced like they know you're here to celebrate something. It's not offensive, but it's not trying very hard either. If you walked in hoping for a discovery, temper those expectations now.
The list leans hard into California and the Pacific Northwest, with some Argentina thrown in to cover the Malbec crowd. You'll find the usual suspects — Caymus, Jordan, Meiomi, The Prisoner — all wines that sell themselves because the names are recognizable, not because anyone at the restaurant curated them with intention. There's no real Old World presence to speak of, no interesting outliers, and no sign that whoever built this list was thinking beyond 'what do steakhouse guests already know.' It's a functional list that does the job without ever making you feel like you're in good hands.
The by-the-glass program runs 10-16 options, which is a reasonable count for a room this size. Expect the pours to mirror the bottle list — familiar names, safe choices, no rotating gems that reward repeat visits. If you're eating here regularly, the glass program isn't going to surprise you on visit two or visit twenty.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Jordan consistently punches above its retail price point in blind company, and it's a legitimately good steakhouse Cab — structured enough to hold up against a dry-aged ribeye without demanding your full attention. Of the big-name pours on this list, it's the one we'd actually be glad to drink.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Most serious wine drinkers will dismiss Meiomi on sight, and we get it — it's a mass-market blend designed for maximum approachability. But in a room full of big tannic reds, this is actually the right call if you're ordering the wood-fired pork chop. Lighter, fruitier, and won't steamroll the dish the way Caymus would.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine that has been marked up into 'fine dining' territory at every steakhouse in America. You can find it at retail for a fraction of what they're charging here, and frankly the wine has coasted on its reputation for years. The markup is the story, and it's not a good one.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-aged ribeye
Jordan's cassis and cedar profile with firm but not aggressive tannins is exactly what a well-marbled dry-aged ribeye needs. The fat in the cut softens the wine's structure; the wine cuts through the fat. It's a classic pairing that actually works, and it's the most honest reason to order Jordan here.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Hickory & Oak is a genuinely good steakhouse with a wine list that's merely along for the ride — overprice, under-curated, and content to let the food do all the heavy lifting. Come for the ribeye, order the Jordan, and don't overthink it.
Scottsville Road · Bowling Green · Steakhouse
Logan's Roadhouse isn't here to impress you with wine, and it doesn't. Order a beer, grab a bourbon, or smuggle in something worth drinking — the wine list is an afterthought and it knows it.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Old Morgantown Road · Bowling Green · Mexican
Los Primos is a solid neighborhood Mexican spot, but the wine program is purely incidental — three glasses, no bottles, no story. Stick to the margaritas, which is almost certainly what the kitchen and bar were built around anyway.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Scottsville Road · Bowling Green · Japanese
Come to Yuki for the sushi, which by all accounts earns its local-staple status. Come for the wine only if you're keeping it simple — stick to the Stoneleigh or the Wollersheim Riesling and call it a night.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Scottsville Road Corridor · Bowling Green · Bar / Steakhouse
Montana Grille Bar is a reliable pour in a city that isn't exactly overrun with serious wine programs — you won't find anything that surprises you, but you won't get burned either. If you're ordering a Wagyu steak, Jordan or Stag's Leap will carry the night just fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Campbell Lane / Scottsville Road · Bowling Green · American / Casual
Cheddar's wine list is the definition of a chain going through the motions — grocery store labels, steep markups, and zero personality. Order a cocktail or a beer, enjoy your chicken tenders, and save the wine for somewhere that actually cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Scottsville Road Corridor · Bowling Green · American / Casual
Rafferty's wine list is fine the same way a beige wall is fine — inoffensive, forgettable, and doing the bare minimum. Order the Ste. Michelle Riesling, enjoy your ribs, and save your wine ambitions for a different night.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / near CityPlace · West Palm Beach · Steakhouse / Contemporary American
Meat Market Palm Beach is a fun room with a wine list that coasts on its crowd's brand recognition — come on a Wednesday, grab the Trefethen or order something off the beaten path like the Hillick & Hobbs, and you'll drink well. Show up any other night without a plan and you'll pay full markup for wines you could find at Total Wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Jackson · Jackson Hole · Steakhouse / Contemporary American
The Restaurant at White Buffalo Club is exactly what it wants to be: a confident, Napa-forward steakhouse list in a room where the wine is expected to be as serious as the beef. The markups sting and the adventurous drinker won't find much to explore, but if you're here for a big California red with a big steak, the cellar and the staff will take care of you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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