Meat-forward list that gets the job done
· Bellevue · Brazilian Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · August 26, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Novilhos Brazilian Steakhouse Bellevue’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Novilhos reads exactly like you'd expect from a Brazilian churrascaria — approachable, unpretentious, and built to not get in the way of the meat parade. Twenty-five labels, all available by the glass, priced mostly in the $9–$13 range, which is a pricing philosophy we can respect. It's not trying to be a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend otherwise.
The list leans heavily on recognizable American and import labels — Benziger, Kim Crawford, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Marques de Caceres — the kind of names that read well to most diners without requiring explanation. There's a nod to the Pacific Northwest with Novelty Hill Sauvignon Blanc, Barnard Griffin Merlot, and Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red, which is a smart move given the Bellevue location. Reds dominate in the way you'd want for a steakhouse, with multiple Merlots and Pinot Noirs covering the softer side of the spectrum. Notably, there's no Cabernet Sauvignon on the list, which feels like a gap when your entire menu is built around beef.
Every single wine on the list is available by the glass, which makes this one of the more flexible BTG programs you'll find at a steakhouse — no bottle minimums, no upselling pressure. Pours range from $9 for the entry-level whites to $13 for the Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Port, and the Port selection alone — four options including both Ruby and aged Tawny styles — is genuinely more interesting than the rest of the list. Rotation appears minimal; this feels like a list that hasn't changed in a while.
Marques de Caceres Rioja — $10/glass
Tempranillo-based Rioja at $10 a glass is hard to argue with alongside grilled beef. It has the structure and earthy backbone to stand up to the churrasco spread, and it's priced like an afterthought when it really should be the go-to move.
Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Tawny Port
Most people skip Port at a steakhouse, which means they're missing the best closer on the menu. A 20-year Tawny at $13 a glass is genuinely good value — nutty, dried-fruit complexity that does things to the end of a heavy meat meal that dessert can't touch.
Mountain View White Zinfandel
White Zin in 2024 is a tough sell anywhere, and at a Brazilian steakhouse it's genuinely puzzling. The $9 price point won't hurt you, but the real cost is the opportunity — that same $9 gets you the Marques de Caceres.
Tamarack Cellars Firehouse Red + Picanha (top sirloin cap)
Tamarack's Firehouse Red is a Washington State blend built for exactly this moment — dark fruit, enough tannin to cut through the fat, and the kind of weight that matches the richness of picanha without bullying it.
The Bottom Line
Novilhos isn't a wine destination, but it's a fair, functional list that respects your wallet and doesn't embarrass itself next to the meat. Order the Rioja, finish with Port, and let the churrasco do the heavy lifting.
· Bellevue · Italian
Angelo's built a short, focused, all-Italian by-the-glass list and priced it fairly — that's a genuinely uncommon combination in the suburbs. We don't have enough intel on the food menu or staff to give it a full Rager endorsement, but the wine program alone earns a detour. If you're eating Italian in Bellevue and want something better than the usual suspects, this list rewards the curious.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Old Bellevue · Bellevue · Wine Bar
Valentina's is a genuinely pleasant neighborhood wine bar that earns its place in Old Bellevue — it's not breaking ground, but it's doing the basics with intention. Send a friend here for a date night glass; just don't expect a rabbit hole of discovery.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Bellevue · American
13 Coins Bellevue earns its Wild Card badge by being a late-night diner that actually cares enough about wine to stock a geographically diverse list — not groundbreaking, but genuinely unexpected for the format. If Sunday happy hour is your move, this place becomes a legitimately fun spot to drink Washington wine over a Caesar salad at 11pm, which is a sentence we didn't think we'd be writing.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Bellevue · Bellevue · Hotel Lounge
BBellevue is the rare hotel bar that makes a real effort with wine, and it shows in the curation — Pacific Northwest producers, an orange pét-nat, and a Nebbiolo that shouldn't be this affordable. Markups are steep in places and the list won't change your life, but for a lobby bar in Bellevue, this is genuinely worth a stop.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Bellevue · Steakhouse
STK Bellevue is a reliable place to drink wine you already know at prices you'd rather not think about. If you're entertaining clients or celebrating something and need a list that won't confuse anyone, it gets the job done — just don't come here looking for discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Bellevue · Bellevue · Italian / Pizza
Mercato Stellina is a pizza spot that accidentally built a wine list worth talking about — the Italian backbone is legit, the Washington State picks are well-chosen, and the pricing is honest. If you're expecting a deep white or sparkling program you'll be disappointed, but for a Nebbiolo or a Syrah with your Neapolitan, this place delivers.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Portland · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo's Portland glass list is compact, with 6 oz still pours from $14 to $24 and a handful of South American picks. Start with the $15.50 Lapostolle Grand Selection Cabernet, or step up to the $20 Eulila by VIK, one of the Fogo Founders Trilogy wines, with the picanha. The Portland page also lists a Wine & Wagyu Bar Event on Thursday, November 5th, with Fogo Founder wines; confirm current availability and prices, since this unrated guide covers the posted by-the-glass list, not service, storage or markups.
· Newark · Brazilian Steakhouse
The Taste of Brazil is almost certainly a great time if you're here for the rodízio experience — the meats, the energy, the all-you-can-eat chaos. The wine program, though, is an unknown quantity we can't responsibly endorse, and the lack of any transparent list online suggests wine isn't a priority here. Order a caipirinha, enjoy the picanha, and save the serious bottle for another night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Tysons Corner · Brazilian Steakhouse
Chima is a great place to eat a lot of meat. It is not a great place to drink wine — five Napa Cabs at $89 flat is a placeholder, not a program. Order the caipirinha and save the wine for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
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