California Muscle in the Missouri Heartland
Springfield · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · May 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Metropolitan Grill’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Metropolitan Grill, the wine list signals its intentions quickly — this is a California-forward program in a city where that still means something. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is relatively new (2025), but the bones of the program, anchored by sommelier Dan Cobb, feel like they've been earning it for a while. It's an upscale neighborhood spot that takes wine seriously without making you feel like you need a decoder ring.
The list leans hard into California, and that's not a criticism so much as a statement of identity — Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Cakebread, Duckhorn, Frank Family. These are names that sell, and they sell here for a reason. What you won't find is much adventure outside the Golden State; if you're hunting for Burgundy deep cuts or natural wine outliers, you'll be disappointed. That said, having Dan Cobb on the floor means someone actually knows what's on the list and why, which elevates the experience considerably above the average steakhouse wine program.
We don't have an exact count on the by-the-glass options, but with a program this California-focused and a sommelier running the floor, expect the usual suspects in glass pour form. The real headline here is Wednesday — half-price wine night is a genuine reason to plan your week around this place.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2018 — $130
Jordan is a consistent, polished Alexander Valley Cab that typically retails in the $55-65 range. At $130, it's marked up but it's the kind of wine that handles a big piece of prime rib gracefully and doesn't punish your wallet the way the Caymus or Silver Oak will.
Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley 2019
Everyone at the table is reaching for the Cabs, but Duckhorn Merlot is a genuinely serious wine that gets overlooked precisely because it says 'Merlot' on the label. It's plush, structured, and at $110 it's the most interesting pour on a list that otherwise plays it straight.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019
At $160, you're paying a steep premium for a wine that's become a fixture on every upscale American restaurant list in the country. Caymus is fine — it's just not $160 fine when Jordan and Frank Family are sitting right next to it at lower prices.
Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 + Cajun Prime Rib
The spice and char on the prime rib need a Cab with enough fruit and structure to hold the room without getting steamrolled. Frank Family delivers exactly that — dark fruit, firm tannins, just enough oak — and at $135 it's a more compelling choice than the marquee names for this particular matchup.
Wednesday — Half-price wine night every Wednesday — the single best reason to visit if you're anywhere near the California Cab section of this list.
The Bottom Line
Metropolitan Grill is doing something real in Springfield — a Wine Spectator-recognized program with a sommelier on the floor and Wednesday half-price wine nights is not a small thing in this market. The list won't surprise you, but Dan Cobb will make sure you drink well.
Downtown · Springfield · American Bar and Grill
Big Whiskey's is a genuinely fun spot for a beer, a whiskey flight, or a bucket of wings with a crowd. But the wine program doesn't appear to be a program at all — it's a placeholder. If someone at your table insists on wine, catch happy hour and keep expectations low. Otherwise, lean into what this place actually does well.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
· Springfield · Pizza / Bar
The Rail Pizza Company isn't here to impress you with wine — it's here to sell you pizza and pour you something cold while you eat it. If your expectations are calibrated accordingly, Bota Box gets the job done; just don't come expecting anything beyond that.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Glenstone · Springfield · American Grill
This is a hotel-adjacent chain bar doing the bare minimum on wine, and it shows. If you're staying at the DoubleTree and don't want to drive anywhere, grab the J Lohr Cab and call it a night — but don't come here for the list.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Springfield · Italian / New American
Piccolo punches above its weight for a Springfield Italian spot — the Brunello by the glass alone earns it a second look. It's not destination wine dining, but it's a genuinely solid list that won't embarrass you on a date night.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Springfield · Sports Bar & Grill
The Dugout is a perfectly fine sports bar where wings get eaten, games get watched, and wine gets ignored — and that's the right call. Come for the BBQ Bacon Burger, leave the wine glass at home.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Springfield · Springfield · Farm-to-table gastropub
Farmers Gastropub is a reliable neighborhood stop where the food gets more attention than the wine list — and that's okay. Order the Tempranillo, enjoy the locally sourced kitchen, and don't come here expecting to geek out on wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Yountville · American
RH Yountville is a genuinely beautiful place to drink wine — the room earns that much on atmosphere alone, and the California-forward list will keep most guests happy without any friction. But in Yountville, where the competition includes some of the most serious wine programs in the country, 'happy without friction' isn't the same as memorable. Go for the experience, order confidently by region, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Bakersfield · American
Yard House Bakersfield is a beer hall that happens to sell wine, and the list makes no effort to hide that. Markups are aggressive, selections are safe to the point of being anonymous, and the only reason to open a bottle here is if your table voted against another round of IPAs. If you're wine-focused, redirect your budget to the Jean-Luc Colombo Rosé by the glass and call it a night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Yountville · American
The Kitchen at Priest Ranch is a one-winery show, and that's exactly the point. If you want to spend an evening exploring what a single Napa estate produces across whites, rosé, Zinfandel, Merlot, and multiple Cabernet expressions — including older large-format bottles — this is a genuinely interesting way to do it. Just don't come expecting breadth or outside discovery. Send a friend here if they love Priest Ranch or want to.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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