Big list, big markups, big Wednesday energy
Downtown · Milwaukee · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The Milwaukee Chophouse wine list arrives like a confident handshake — heavy, California-forward, and not particularly interested in surprising you. At 200-300 bottles deep, it's a serious list for a serious steakhouse, but the page count doesn't necessarily mean the range is wide. This is a list built for someone who already knows what they want and is happy to pay for it.
Napa Cabernet is the clear north star here, with the usual suspects — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, and Opus One — all holding court. Bordeaux gets a respectful nod, rounding out the old-world side without going particularly deep. You won't find much in the way of Burgundy, Rhône, natural wine, or anything that might make a more adventurous drinker's pulse quicken. If you love big, structured California reds and you're ordering a prime ribeye, this list was built for you — but it's not trying to be anything beyond that.
By-the-glass specifics aren't fully documented, but a sommelier is on staff, which suggests the pour program is at least curated with some intention. That said, given the list's California-heavy DNA, expect the glass options to skew toward crowd-pleasing Cabs and Chardonnays rather than anything left of center. We'd ask your server what's pouring well before defaulting to the obvious.
Banshee Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — $28
At $28 a bottle in a $$$$ steakhouse, this is practically a freebie. Yes, the markup is steep relative to retail, but in absolute terms it's the most accessible entry point on a list that otherwise climbs fast. Order it without guilt.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon
Jordan gets overlooked because it's not as flashy as Caymus or as trophy-worthy as Opus One, but it's one of the most consistently elegant California Cabs made. In a room full of people flexing on Silver Oak, the Jordan drinker is usually the one who actually knows wine.
Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
At $160 on the list against a $45 retail price, this is a 256% markup on a wine that doesn't have the prestige to justify it. Austin Hope is a perfectly fine Paso Robles Cab, but it's not a $160 bottle by any stretch. Your money goes further elsewhere on this list.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon + Prime Ribeye
Silver Oak's Alexander Valley Cab — generous fruit, firm tannins, that signature vanilla-oak finish — was basically engineered for a well-marbled ribeye. It's not a creative pairing, but some classics are classics for a reason.
Wednesday — 50% off bottles under $100 and 25% off bottles $100 and up. Cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Milwaukee Chophouse is exactly what it says it is: an old-school hotel steakhouse with a big California Cab list and prices to match. Show up on a Wednesday, stack the half-price deal on a sub-$100 bottle, and suddenly this place makes a lot more sense.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.