Big List, Big Steaks, Predictable Markups
Downtown · Charleston · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 27, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Ruth's Chris Steak House’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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
· Franklin · Steakhouse
Char is a genuinely enjoyable steakhouse with a wine list that does the job without doing much more. The room earns its keep; the wine program is still a passenger rather than a co-pilot. If you're coming here for the Prime beef and the atmosphere, you'll eat well — just don't expect the list to take you anywhere the food isn't already going. Worth a visit, but bring your own expectations in check at the wine menu.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· San Diego · Steakhouse
The Grove Steakhouse is a solid pick if you're in a celebratory mood and want serious Champagne options with your cut of beef — the sparkling program alone is worth a look. The rest of the list doesn't take many risks, and the markups on recognizable labels are exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse at a casino property. Go in with eyes open, steer toward the value picks, and you'll have a good night.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fresno · Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Fresno is a reliable landing pad if someone else is picking the restaurant and wine takes a back seat to a great center-cut filet. The wine program isn't adventurous and markups at this tier tend to sting, but the service is polished and the experience is consistent. If wine is the reason you're going out, look elsewhere — but if it's the steak and wine is just along for the ride, you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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