Big steaks, bigger Cabernet, classic done right
Downtown · Minneapolis · Steakhouse
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 29, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Manny's Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Four hundred-plus bottles at a Minneapolis steakhouse — you know exactly what you're walking into before you even sit down. This is a Cab-forward, Napa-heavy list built for the expense account crowd, and it leans into that identity without apology. Wine Spectator noticed, and so will you.
The list is anchored hard in Napa and Sonoma — Opus One, Caymus Special Selection, Silver Oak, Jordan, Far Niente — the greatest hits of the California prestige rack, all present and accounted for. Bordeaux and Burgundy add some Old World credibility and depth, so there's room to roam if you're not in a Cabernet mood. What's missing is anything adventurous: no Rhône, no domestic Pinot outside the obvious suspects, nothing that would make a wine-curious diner stop and say 'huh, didn't expect that.' This list was built to make a power lunch comfortable, and it succeeds at exactly that.
By-the-glass specifics weren't published at the time of our research, which is a small frustration at a restaurant of this caliber. A 400-bottle list with a sommelier on staff should have a rotating, well-curated glass program — we'd expect it to, but we can't confirm what's actually pouring night to night. Ask the sommelier directly; they should have an answer.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — null
Jordan is the sleeper on a list full of trophy bottles. It consistently punches above its price point against Napa neighbors that cost twice as much, and Alexander Valley Cab has the structure to stand up to a dry-aged steak without requiring a second mortgage.
Duckhorn Merlot, Napa Valley
Every table around you is ordering Cabernet, which means the Duckhorn Merlot sits quietly overlooked. That's a mistake. Duckhorn basically rescued Merlot's reputation in Napa and this bottle is plush, structured, and genuinely interesting next to a center-cut steak.
Opus One, Napa Valley
Opus One is an undeniably great wine, but at a steakhouse with a steep markup tier, you're paying a serious premium for the name. The juice is real but the restaurant margin on a bottle this famous is reliably brutal — your money goes further almost anywhere else on this list.
Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-aged center-cut steak
Caymus Special Selection is rich, dark-fruited, and built wide — exactly what you want when a dry-aged cut hits the table with all that concentrated beefy depth. The wine's ripe tannins and cassis character match the fat and char without fighting it. Classic for a reason.
The Bottom Line
Manny's is a reliable, well-run steakhouse wine list — deep enough to impress, properly stored, and staffed by someone who actually knows the cellar. Just go in knowing the pricing reflects the room, not just the bottle.
Downtown · Minneapolis · Brazilian churrascaria / Brazilian steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Minneapolis is a reliably fun night out if you're there for the meat spectacle — and you should be. The wine list is a supporting cast that knows its role: keep people happy, don't surprise anyone, move on. If wine is more than an afterthought for you, lower your expectations before you open the menu.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Loop / Warehouse District · Minneapolis · Modern Argentinian Steakhouse
Porzana punches above its class for a Minneapolis steakhouse — the Italian and Argentine selections show genuine curation, and the Fenocchio Barolo alone justifies a serious wine order. Just go in with eyes open on markups and skip the entry-level bottles unless you're pouring by the glass.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lowry Hill · Minneapolis · Steakhouse and Wood-Fired Pizza
Burch has the bones of a genuinely great wine program — knowledgeable staff, proper storage, and a list that respects the classics — but the pricing strategy on the mid-tier and entry-level bottles will test your patience. Go big or go home: the value-to-quality ratio only really clicks once you're spending $200+.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / North Loop · Minneapolis · New American / Contemporary American
112 Eatery's wine list is punching well above its weight for a Minneapolis neighborhood bistro, with a genuinely distinctive Old World focus and producers that belong on serious lists anywhere in the country. The markups sting on a few bottles, but the curation earns enough goodwill to keep us coming back.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Uptown · Minneapolis · French Bistro
Barbette is a wine list built by someone who actually drinks wine and wants you to as well — it's small, French, and surprisingly legit for a neighborhood bistro in Uptown. If you're a natural wine fan or just someone who wants good Beaujolais with steak frites, send your friends here.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Loring Park · Minneapolis · New American
Cafe Lurcat is a reliable, well-staffed wine program in one of Minneapolis's prettiest dining rooms — just know you're paying a premium for the address and the ambiance. Ask the sommelier for help navigating the list and you'll drink well; go on autopilot and order the obvious Napa Cab and you'll leave having spent more than you should have.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Franklin · Steakhouse
Char is a genuinely enjoyable steakhouse with a wine list that does the job without doing much more. The room earns its keep; the wine program is still a passenger rather than a co-pilot. If you're coming here for the Prime beef and the atmosphere, you'll eat well — just don't expect the list to take you anywhere the food isn't already going. Worth a visit, but bring your own expectations in check at the wine menu.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· San Diego · Steakhouse
The Grove Steakhouse is a solid pick if you're in a celebratory mood and want serious Champagne options with your cut of beef — the sparkling program alone is worth a look. The rest of the list doesn't take many risks, and the markups on recognizable labels are exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse at a casino property. Go in with eyes open, steer toward the value picks, and you'll have a good night.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fresno · Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Fresno is a reliable landing pad if someone else is picking the restaurant and wine takes a back seat to a great center-cut filet. The wine program isn't adventurous and markups at this tier tend to sting, but the service is polished and the experience is consistent. If wine is the reason you're going out, look elsewhere — but if it's the steak and wine is just along for the ride, you'll be fine.
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.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
