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.
Downtown · Milwaukee · Brazilian Steakhouse
Rodizio Grill Milwaukee is a genuinely fun night out if you're there for the meat and the spectacle — but the wine list is coasting on the restaurant's momentum rather than adding anything to it. Order the Gaucho Club, enjoy the picanha, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Riverwalk · Milwaukee · Japanese sushi and Asian fusion
Screaming Tuna isn't a wine destination, but it's a sushi spot with a wine list that actually respects the food it's serving — and in Milwaukee, that's worth calling out. Take a chance on the Alsatian whites or the sake program and you'll leave happy.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lower East Side · Milwaukee · French and Italian Riviera-Inspired Fine Dining
Lupi & Iris is doing something genuinely rare in Milwaukee — a wine program with depth, a sommelier who runs real events, and markup that doesn't make you feel like a mark. Send your friends here, and tell them to book early for the DRC dinner.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
Downtown · Milwaukee · Seafood-focused Contemporary American
Third Coast Provisions has a genuinely thoughtful wine list for a city that doesn't always demand one — the Burgundy focus is earned, the staff knows what they're doing, and the seafood menu gives those whites every opportunity to shine. The markup keeps it from being a destination for wine alone, but if you're already here for the food, you're in good hands.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Northwest Side · Milwaukee · Italian, Handmade Pasta, Wine Bar
Ca'Lucchenzo is the kind of place that makes you wonder why every Italian restaurant doesn't just commit to Italy this hard on the wine side. It's not a deep cellar, but it's a focused, honest list that actually fits the food — send your friends here and tell them to skip the cocktail.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Brookfield · Milwaukee · Upscale American Steakhouse
Mr. B's is exactly what it promises — a polished, reliable steakhouse wine list that hits all the expected marks without a single surprise. Send a friend here if they want a sure thing; send them somewhere else if they want to be excited.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Abilene · Steakhouse
Cattleman's Exchange isn't a wine destination, but it's not a disaster either — it's a hotel steakhouse doing hotel steakhouse things. If you're in Abilene and need a Cab with your beef, you'll find something that works; just don't expect the list to surprise you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Springfield · Steakhouse
LongHorn Springfield isn't a wine destination — but with markups this low and pours this affordable, it's one of the better casual chain options in Illinois for a simple red with a big steak. Send a friend here for dinner; just don't tell them to geek out over the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Frontera · Round Rock · Steakhouse
Saltgrass Round Rock is exactly what it looks like: a chain steakhouse wine list on autopilot, built around brand names, sweet crowd-pleasers, and markups that assume you're not paying attention. Order a beer or a cocktail and save the wine for somewhere that actually cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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