Steak First, Wine Very Much Second
West Side · Ann Arbor · American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 4, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Knight's is a beloved Ann Arbor institution, and the steakhouse energy is real — dark wood, lively bar, the smell of a properly cooked ribeye. But crack open the wine list and the love stops there. Fifty-seven labels sounds like a lot until you realize the program hasn't been curated so much as assembled.
The list leans heavily American, with Washington State Cabernet doing most of the heavy lifting — which makes sense for a steakhouse, but leaves you wanting more than one story. We couldn't confirm serious depth in terms of regions, growers, or anything that would give a wine-curious diner something to explore. If you're hoping for a Willamette Pinot, a Sonoma Chardonnay with some backbone, or literally anything European, you're mostly on your own here. The 57 labels are likely doing the numbers game without the range game.
Two. Just two by-the-glass options. At a steakhouse. We're not asking for a revolving list of 20 pours, but two options in 2024 is a policy decision, and not a good one. The Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2024 is available in a 5oz or 8oz pour, which is at least honest about portion sizing — but that's the ceiling of ambition here.
Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2024 (Monday, half-price bottle) — $21
At $42 retail markup is already steep on a $19 bottle, but on Monday nights when bottles go half-price, you're at $21 — which is actually just above retail. That's the only moment this list becomes worth engaging with.
Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2024 (8oz pour)
Not exactly a hidden gem in the traditional sense, but the 8oz pour option is genuinely useful — it's closer to a third of a bottle and lets you commit to something with your steak without committing to the full bottle markup. Most places only offer 5oz. Take the bigger pour.
Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2024 (bottle, non-Monday)
At $42 for a wine that retails around $19, you're paying a 121% markup on a mid-tier grocery store Cab. It's fine juice, but this is not the place to spend money on a bottle any night except Monday.
Greenwing Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2024 + New York Strip
Columbia Valley Cab and a properly seared strip is the most straightforward call on this menu — the wine has enough dark fruit and structure to hang with red meat without fighting it. It's not revelatory, but it works, and at a steakhouse that's the job.
Monday — Half-price bottles of wine on Monday nights, per the restaurant's Instagram. No confirmed exclusions, likely applies to standard list bottles.
❌ The Bottom Line
Knight's earns its reputation on the food side, but the wine list is an afterthought — two glass pours, steep markups, and no apparent curatorial vision. Come Monday if you're drinking wine, or stick to whatever's on draft.
Downtown / Campus · Ann Arbor · New American / Hotel Restaurant
Eve is a dependable, well-kept hotel wine list that earns its place as Ann Arbor's go-to for faculty dinners and anniversary meals — just don't come expecting to be surprised. Order the Merry Edwards, skip the Stag's Leap markup, and let someone else handle the tab.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor · Upscale-casual Italian
Bravo! is a chain doing chain things with its wine list — predictable, approachable, and not particularly exciting. But the markup is fairer than most chains, the by-the-glass range is functional, and if you show up on a Wednesday, $7 Provençal rosé on the patio is a genuinely good time.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · American Gastropub
The Ravens Club isn't a wine destination — it's a late-night Ann Arbor institution that happens to have a functional wine list. Show up on a Wednesday, order the Gruet for $6, and let the spirits program do its real job.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · Japanese-inspired ramen, noodle dishes, and izakaya-style small plates
Slurping Turtle is a genuinely fun spot to eat, and the ramen deserves your full attention — but the wine list is on cruise control and nobody seems to mind. Stick to a glass of Riesling or grab a beer, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that reciprocates it.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor · Sushi / Japanese
Nagomi is the rare sushi spot that made an actual choice with its wine program instead of just phoning it in with grocery store staples — a focused BC lineup at fair prices is exactly the kind of unexpected that earns a second look. If you're curious about Canadian wine and want a low-stakes way to explore it, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Ann Arbor · Korean BBQ
Tomukun is a great place to eat Korean BBQ and drink soju with friends — the wine list is just not the reason to come here. Order the Riesling if you must, or do yourself a favor and let the soju do the work.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Murfreesboro · Murfreesboro · American Steakhouse
The Chop House Murfreesboro does exactly what it's designed to do: give you a decent glass of California red with your steak at a familiar price point. If you're looking for a wine revelation, you're in the wrong place — but if you just want a solid night out with a reliable pour, it delivers.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Oyster Point / Jefferson Avenue · Newport News · American Steakhouse
LongHorn Newport News isn't a wine destination — it's a steakhouse where wine is an afterthought, priced to extract margin rather than reward curiosity. Order the ribeye, pick the least-bad bottle, and don't expect anyone at the table to talk about what's in the glass.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hanes Mall / Strickland Rd · Winston Salem · American Steakhouse
Firebirds isn't trying to reinvent anything, and the wine list reflects that — it's a dependable, California-forward selection that does its job without embarrassing itself. If you want adventure, look elsewhere; if you want a solid bottle with a good steak in a comfortable room, this gets you there.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.