Safe Pours at Unsafe Prices
West Des Moines · Des Moines · Steakhouse / Italian-inspired · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 20, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Johnny's reads like a greatest hits album from 2012 — La Marca, Kendall-Jackson, Meiomi, Santa Margherita. Nothing here will surprise you, and that's clearly the point. It's a corporate chain list that prioritizes familiarity over discovery, and unfortunately, it charges handsomely for the privilege of that comfort.
The list spans California, Italy, and a smattering of international names, but depth is minimal — these are brand names that sell themselves, not wines that need a story. You won't find anything from Burgundy, the Rhône, Rioja, or anywhere that might challenge a first-time wine drinker. Decoy by Duckhorn represents the ceiling of ambition here, which is a low ceiling. The one nod to Italy beyond Prosecco and Pinot Grigio is Santa Margherita, itself a grocery store staple dressed up in a steakhouse setting.
There are roughly 15–20 glass pours across sparkling, white, red, and dessert categories, which is a respectable count on paper. In practice, the rotation appears static — this is a "set and forget" program with no evidence of seasonal swaps or emerging producers sneaking in. At $9–$13 a glass, you're paying restaurant prices for wines you could grab at Hy-Vee on the way home.
Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley — $13/glass, $51/bottle
At 132% markup, it's the least egregious bottle on the list and it's actually a decent Napa Cab — soft tannins, approachable, and honest enough for a steakhouse setting. Relative to the rest of this menu, it's the closest thing to a fair deal.
Decoy by Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon, California
It gets overshadowed by flashier names on the list, but Decoy is a genuinely well-made wine from a respected producer. Most people here will default to the house Cab or Meiomi — don't. This is the one bottle that punches above its weight class.
Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Italy
A 250% markup on a $9.99 retail bottle is the most brazen pricing on the entire list. You're paying $35 for something that lives in the bottom shelf at every grocery store in America. Hard pass.
Decoy by Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon + Ribeye steak
Decoy's dark fruit and structured tannins stand up to a fatty, well-marbled ribeye without bulldozing it. It's the most functional pairing on a list full of wines that belong at a backyard cookout, not a $40 entrée.
❌ The Bottom Line
Johnny's is a perfectly fine place to eat a steak in West Des Moines, but the wine list is a chain-operated afterthought charging boutique prices for grocery store bottles. Drink the cocktails, or bring a bottle and pay the corkage if they allow it.
Johnston · Des Moines · Wine bar / American
Louie's Johnston is exactly what a suburban wine bar should be — a big by-the-glass list, fair prices, and zero pretension. Send your friends here when they want to drink well without a side of attitude.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Clive · Des Moines · Steakhouse & American
Club Car is a reliable steakhouse wine list doing exactly what it was built to do: keep Cab drinkers happy and nobody walking out complaining. Don't come here for discovery, but don't leave without ordering the Jordan.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waukee · Des Moines · Japanese / Asian Fusion / Sushi
Wasabi Waukee is a genuinely good sushi restaurant that treats its wine list like an afterthought — familiar names, steep markups, and zero curiosity about what wines might actually sing alongside the food. Order the cocktails or sake instead, and save the wine discussion for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Ingersoll / Grand · Des Moines · Contemporary American
Louie's Wine Dive is the kind of place Des Moines needs more of — a real wine program in a no-pretense room, with Tuesday half-price deals that make experimenting genuinely low-stakes. It's not a destination list, but it's absolutely a destination night.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Clive · Des Moines · American, Brewpub
Granite City is a brewery that tolerates wine, and the list reflects that perfectly. Drink the beer — it's the whole point of being here.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Des Moines / Jordan Creek · Des Moines · Italian
Bravo! is a fine dinner out if the pasta is what you're after, but the wine list is purely functional — corporate-designed, safely marked up, and entirely forgettable. Order a glass of bubbles or the Chianti, make peace with your choices, and let the food do the heavy lifting.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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