Big List, Big Steaks, Predictable Markups
Downtown · Charleston · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed March 27, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Over 200 labels sounds impressive until you realize this is a national chain and the list is basically the same whether you're in Charleston, WV or Charlotte, NC. That said, it's a well-organized, well-stocked list that covers enough ground to keep a table of mixed drinkers happy. The real question is whether you want to pay chain-steakhouse prices for it.
The list leans hard into California reds and classic Champagne, which makes sense given the ribeye-forward menu. You'll find French heavy-hitters like Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label and Dom Perignon anchoring the bubbly section, while the Rhone makes a welcome appearance for anyone who wants something outside the Napa bubble. There's a nod to Italy via the Collevento 921 Pinot Grigio and even an unexpected Niagara option in the Reif Estates White Sands, which is genuinely interesting on a list like this. Gaps show up in the natural wine department and anywhere south of California domestically — this is not a list built for exploration.
Fifteen pours by the glass is respectable, running $14–$30, though the top end of that range starts to feel aggressive when you're ordering a second round. The Gruet Brut Rosé is a smart inclusion at the more accessible end — it's from New Mexico and punches above its price point. Rotation appears minimal; don't expect much seasonal freshness here.
Gruet Brut Rosé — $14/glass (est.)
Gruet is one of the most underrated sparkling producers in the country — made in New Mexico using traditional method, it's a legitimate Champagne alternative at a fraction of the cost. On a list full of $100+ bubbly options, this one is the move.
Reif Estates White Sands, Niagara
A Canadian Niagara wine on a West Virginia steakhouse list is the last thing you'd expect, and that's exactly why you should order it. Niagara's cool-climate whites are criminally underappreciated in the US, and this one is worth the curiosity tax.
Dom Perignon
Dom at a chain steakhouse is going to cost you well over $300 and the markup will be punishing. If you want to celebrate, Gruet or Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label will do the job without the four-figure regret.
Rhone (red) + Ribeye
A Rhone red — think Grenache-forward with earthy depth and dark fruit — cuts through the fat of a well-marbled ribeye without the tannic hammer of a big Napa Cab. It's a smarter pairing than the obvious California red and usually easier on your wallet too.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Ruth's Chris in Charleston delivers exactly what you'd expect: a deep-enough list, steep-enough markups, and a dependable experience that won't surprise you in any direction. It's a solid choice when someone else is paying, but hunt for the value pours if the check is yours.
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
Kanawha · Charleston · Steakhouse
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.
Plays It Safe
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
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
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