California Cab Heaven With a Spectacular Wine Wall
Vernon Hills · Vernon Hills · Steak house · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 13, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Perry's Steakhouse & Grille’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Walk into Perry's Vernon Hills and the wine wall stops you cold — it's a legitimate showpiece in an 11,000-square-foot room built to impress. The list matches the room: polished, California-forward, and unapologetically steak-house in its DNA. Wine Spectator noticed in 2024, and it's easy to see why.
This is a California Cabernet greatest-hits compilation, and it executes that lane with conviction. Caymus, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Opus One, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Shafer Hillside Select — if it's a recognizable Napa or Sonoma name, it's probably here. The Chardonnay bench is similarly brand-conscious with Rombauer and Far Niente holding court. What you won't find is much adventure outside California — no meaningful Burgundy depth, no Rhône detours, no Old World rabbit holes to fall into.
With 20 to 35 options by the glass, there's enough to work with before you commit to a bottle. The program leans predictably toward crowd-pleasing California Cabs and Chardonnays, which isn't a problem when the crowd is here for ribeye. Rotation appears limited — this feels like a steady-state list rather than one with a curator pushing new pours through regularly.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $50
Jordan consistently over-delivers for its price point relative to the heavier hitters on this list. It's the move if you want something serious without paying Opus One money.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at a steakhouse defaults to Cab, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked constantly. It's a plush, structured wine that holds its own against a ribeye and usually sits at a gentler price than the Napa Cabs around it.
Opus One
Opus One is a legitimately great wine, but at a steakhouse it's marked up to stratospheric territory and you're paying heavily for the name. Drink it at a wine bar where the markup is kinder.
Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon + Ribeye
Hillside Select is one of Napa's most structured Cabs — all dark fruit and grip — and a well-marbled ribeye is exactly the canvas it needs. The fat softens the tannins; the tannins cut through the fat. Classic for a reason.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Perry's Vernon Hills is a reliable, well-stocked California Cab destination that does exactly what a high-end steakhouse wine list should do — just don't come looking for surprises. If you're a Napa loyalist ordering a ribeye, you're going to have a very good night.
Capitol Square · Madison · Steak house
Rare is a reliable wine destination for Napa devotees visiting Madison — the list is familiar by design, the WS Award of Excellence is well-earned, and the setting delivers. Just don't come here looking for natural wine or anything that strays from the California playbook.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Brookfield · Brookfield · Steak house
Mr. B's is a reliable, well-kept steakhouse wine list that knows its audience and serves them well — just don't expect any surprises. If you're a California Cab loyalist heading out for a serious steak dinner in the Milwaukee suburbs, this is your spot.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Loop · Chicago · Steak house
BLVD Steakhouse doesn't reinvent the steakhouse wine list, but it executes the formula competently — solid producers, proper storage, and enough range to keep a table of Cab loyalists happy all night. Just go in with your eyes open on the markups and skip the trophy-bottle trap.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.