Sky-High Views, Solid Pours, Classic Steakhouse Moves
Downtown Springfield · Springfield · Steakhouse, American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 4, 2026
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
Downtown · Abilene · Steakhouse, American
Beehive is a solid steakhouse that simply doesn't care about wine — and the list proves it. Order the ribeye, get a whiskey or a beer, and save the wine enthusiasm for somewhere that returns the favor.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Blue Back Square / West Hartford · Hartford · Steakhouse, American
Fleming's West Hartford is a reliable, polished steakhouse wine program that does exactly what it sets out to do — pour well-known California wines in a nice glass to people who are already spending $60 on a steak. Just don't expect to discover anything, and watch the markup on the big names.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Wadsworth · Akron · Steakhouse, American
Circle L is a genuine wine-list overachiever hiding in plain sight off I-76 — the Thursday bottle discount night alone is worth putting in your calendar. Send your wine-curious friends here; just make sure they don't show up on a Wednesday.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.