Classic steakhouse wine list, no surprises
Kanawha · Charleston · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed March 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Regency Morton's reads exactly like you'd expect from an upscale steakhouse in a mid-size Southern city — heavy on Napa Cabs, anchored by the usual suspects, and priced for the expense account crowd. There's nothing wrong with it, but there's nothing to get excited about either. You know this list before you open it.
The list runs 150-250 bottles and leans hard into Napa Valley and Sonoma, with Bordeaux rounding out the old-world representation. The marquee names — Caymus, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Jordan, Stag's Leap — are all here, which tells you exactly who this list was built for: someone who orders by brand recognition over discovery. There's no real digging to do, no sleeper regions like Willamette or Ribera del Duero to reward the curious drinker. It's a Greatest Hits compilation when you were hoping for at least one deep cut.
The by-the-glass program clocks in at 12-20 options, which is a respectable number for a restaurant of this size. Expect the pours to mirror the bottle list — familiar Cali Cabs and Chardonnays dominate, with probably a safe Pinot and a crowd-friendly red blend in the mix. Rotation appears minimal; this is a set-and-forget program that gets the job done without trying hard.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Jordan consistently over-delivers for its price point relative to its Napa neighbors on this list. It's the most food-friendly Cab in the lineup — less extracted and oak-heavy than Caymus — and it won't crater your bill the same way Silver Oak will.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Most people at a steakhouse reach for Caymus on autopilot. Stag's Leap is the better choice — it's got more structure and restraint, drinks more like a proper Bordeaux than a fruit bomb, and holds up better through a full dinner rather than fading after the first pour.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is the most ordered, most marked-up Cab in the American steakhouse circuit. You're paying a hefty premium here for a wine that's become more of a status symbol than a quality benchmark. The juice doesn't justify the restaurant markup.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon + Filet Mignon
Silver Oak Alexander Valley is softer and more approachable than its Napa counterpart — it won't overpower a filet the way a bigger, bolder Cab might. The dark fruit and cedar notes complement the clean, buttery character of a well-prepared filet without one bulldozing the other.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Regency Morton's wine list is exactly what the room promises: polished, predictable, and priced for special occasions rather than value seekers. Send a friend here if they want a reliable Cab with their steak — just tell them to skip the Caymus and not to expect any surprises.
East End · Charleston · Italian
Polcari is doing more with wine than most Italian restaurants its size in this market, and the Italian-focused list is a genuine asset. Just know the markups are real, and you'll want to spend a minute with the list rather than defaulting to the first thing you recognize.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Charleston · Italian
Pallotta's isn't a wine destination, but it's a dependable neighborhood Italian that won't gouge you on glass pours and gives you enough options to drink reasonably well with dinner. Watch the bottle markups on anything mid-tier and you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Charleston · Unknown
The Cellar Door is doing more than most restaurants in this market, and the Wednesday half-price bottle program alone is worth building a dinner around. It's not a destination wine list, but it's a reliable one — and that Filliatreau Chenin Blanc earns its spot on any serious short list.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
West Side · Charleston · American Fine Dining
High Thyme is the best wine list in the room by a wide margin — the room being Charleston, West Virginia, but still, credit where it's due. Come on a Monday, grab the En Route Pinot at half price, and order the duck.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Unknown · Charleston · Wine Bar & Bistro
Chambers is doing something genuinely worthwhile for the Charleston, WV wine scene: a real list, real staff knowledge, and a clear point of view. It won't blow the doors off a seasoned wine traveler, but as a neighborhood wine bar, it's the kind of place you'd actually send a friend — especially if that friend would otherwise be drinking house Merlot out of a cavernous goblet somewhere else.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Unknown · Charleston · American
Well Hung is more wine destination than it first appears — it's a functioning winery concept in Charleston, WV, which is genuinely unexpected and earns points for regional identity alone. The markups are hard to stomach once you know the retail prices, but if you treat it as a tasting room experience rather than a restaurant wine list, the math starts to feel less offensive.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.