Steakhouse classics in a converted power station
Near Northside / Coralville border · Iowa City · Upscale American Steak and Chops · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Iowa River Power Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Iowa River Power reads exactly like the setting: dependable, a little old-school, and built for people who already know what they want. You're not going to get surprised here, and that's mostly fine — this is a steakhouse, after all, and it delivers the hits. The historic riverfront backdrop does a lot of heavy lifting on atmosphere, but the list doesn't quite match the drama of the room.
California dominates, which will surprise no one eating a bone-in ribeye next to the Iowa River. Caymus and Jordan anchor the red side, Rombauer holds court on the whites — these are crowd-tested, widely recognized labels that check the boxes for a certain kind of diner. There's a Pacific Northwest presence and a nod toward France, but the list doesn't dig deep into any of those regions. No small growers, no interesting appellations — this is a greatest-hits collection, not a deep dive.
The glass program runs 8-14 options and stays in familiar territory, with prices ranging $12-$22. Expect Chardonnay, Cab, and maybe a Pinot to round things out — nothing that will make you put your phone down and pay attention. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority; this feels like a set-it-and-forget-it program rather than something a wine-curious manager actively tends to.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $60–$80 (est.)
Jordan is a legitimately well-made Alexander Valley Cab that holds its own next to the big names — and it doesn't carry Caymus's prestige markup. If you're ordering a bottle with the prime rib, this is the move.
Pacific Northwest Selections
Whatever they're pouring from the Pacific Northwest tends to fly under the radar here — most tables reach straight for California. Worth asking the server what's on the list from Oregon or Washington; even a modest Willamette Pinot would cut nicely against the richer dishes.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and restaurant markups on it are consistently brutal. You're paying a significant premium for a label that's been coasting on its reputation for years. The Jordan next to it is better value and, honestly, a better wine for the money.
Rombauer Chardonnay + Seafood Special
Rombauer is a big, buttery California Chard — which sounds like overkill until you're sitting next to a river eating a rich seafood special. The oak and weight match the richness of the dish rather than fighting it, and it's familiar enough that the table won't argue about the bottle.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Iowa River Power is a perfectly respectable steakhouse wine list in a genuinely memorable room — but the list plays it too safe and prices too high to be anything more than serviceable. Send a friend here for the ambiance and the prime rib; tell them to pick carefully on the wine.
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Grocery Store
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Surprising Depth
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
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