Sky-High Views, Solid Pours, Classic Steakhouse Moves
Downtown Springfield · Springfield · Steakhouse, American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 4, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Nick & Nino's Penthouse Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
You're on the 30th floor of the Wyndham with the entire Springfield skyline laid out below you, and the wine list arrives looking exactly how you'd expect — California-heavy, steak-forward, built for the occasion rather than the adventurous drinker. It does the job without surprising you, which is fine if you came for the view and the ribeye.
The list leans hard into California, with Napa Cabernet and Merlot doing the heavy lifting — think Cakebread and 100 Nails Ranch rather than anything that requires explanation. There's a nod to New Zealand with Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, which at least gives white wine drinkers something credible to order. International depth exists on the broader list, but don't expect to find yourself debating Burgundy appellations here. This is a list built to sell confidence to people celebrating anniversaries, not to challenge anyone's palate.
Eight to fourteen options by the glass is a reasonable spread for a steakhouse at this price point, and the Emmolo Merlot showing up in guest reviews suggests at least a few of those pours are worth ordering. Rotation appears minimal — what's on the list is what's on the list, month after month. If you're drinking by the glass here, lean into the reds and don't expect much turnover.
Emmolo Merlot, Napa Valley — null
Guests keep coming back to this one for a reason — it's a smooth, food-friendly Napa Merlot that punches above the usual steakhouse filler. In a list full of safe bets, this is the one that actually delivers at the table.
100 Nails Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
Most people at a steakhouse reflexively order Napa Cab, so this Paso Robles option gets overlooked. Paso runs warmer and riper than Napa but at a price point that tends to favor the drinker — it's the kind of bottle that surprises people who assumed they were settling.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Cloudy Bay is a perfectly fine wine, but it's one of the most marked-up labels in the world precisely because everyone recognizes the name. At a $$$$-tier steakhouse, you're paying a premium on top of an already inflated brand tax. There are almost certainly better whites on this list for the money.
Emmolo Merlot, Napa Valley + Hand-cut steak
Emmolo's Merlot is soft enough not to fight the char on a hand-cut steak but has enough Napa structure to hold its own against the fat. It's the kind of pairing that just works without requiring a conversation about tannin integration.
The Bottom Line
Nick & Nino's is the kind of place where the wine list exists to serve the occasion, not the other way around — and for a 30th-floor steakhouse in Springfield, that's not a condemnation. Come for the views and the beef, order the Emmolo, and don't overthink it.
Springfield · Springfield · Casual steakhouse with Australian-themed American cuisine
Outback Springfield isn't where you go to geek out on wine, and it doesn't pretend to be — the list is honest, the prices are reasonable for a chain sit-down, and the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling alone is worth knowing about. If you're here for a steak and you want something decent in your glass, you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Dirksen Parkway / Sunrise Drive · Springfield · American Chain
We wouldn't send anyone to Applebee's specifically for the wine, and we won't start now. If you're here, you're here for the food, the vibe, or the company — and that's perfectly fine. Just know that the wine list is purely incidental.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Springfield · Springfield · American Chain
The markup is shockingly fair, but you're paying near-retail for wines you could grab at Walgreens on the way home. Order a cocktail, order a beer, and save the wine night for literally anywhere else.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
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
Unknown · Springfield · Italian Chain
Olive Garden Springfield isn't a wine destination, but it's not a wine disaster either — fair markups, a couple of genuinely decent pours, and prices that won't sting. Order the Chianti Classico, enjoy your breadsticks, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Springfield · American Steakhouse, Casual Dining
Texas Roadhouse is not a wine destination — it's a steak and ribs destination with a wine list that exists because it has to. Order a beer or a cocktail and save the wine drinking for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
River Road · Gatlinburg · Steakhouse, American
The Peddler is a legitimately great steakhouse experience in a gorgeous setting, and the wine list is competent enough to get the job done — but it's a supporting cast, not a destination. Order the Jordan, get the steak, enjoy the river view, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Parkway · Gatlinburg · Steakhouse, American
Alamo Steakhouse is genuinely great at what it does — the oak-fired meats are the draw and they deliver. But the wine list is purely functional, overpriced for what it is, and built for tourists who aren't going to push back on a Kendall-Jackson upcharge. Come for the steak, order a bourbon, and save the wine enthusiasm for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lionshead · Vail · Steakhouse, American
Vail Chophouse is a dependable après-ski and dinner destination that plays its wine program straight down the middle — familiar names, steep but expected mountain-town pricing, and a list that won't let you down if you stick to the California Cabs. We'd send a friend here for the steak and the view, with a note to skip the Josh and go straight to Jordan.
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.
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