Smith & Wollensky

The wine list at Smith & Wollensky Wellesley arrives like the restaurant itself — substantial, confident, and unapologetically classic. Three hundred to five hundred bottles deep, it leans hard into California and France, which is exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse operating at this level. Wine Spectator has handed them an Award of Excellence since 2020, and looking at the list, you understand why.

California is the clear star here — Caymus, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, Stag's Leap Cask 23, Far Niente, Jordan, and Opus One read like a greatest-hits compilation for Cabernet lovers who want something they recognize. France holds its own with Chateau Margaux and Chateau Lynch-Bages anchoring the prestige end, giving the list some genuine old-world credibility. Italy gets a nod through Sassicaia and Tignanello, which rounds things out nicely for anyone who finds the California parade a bit one-note. The list is thorough where it counts for a steakhouse, though adventurous drinkers looking for Burgundy depth, southern hemisphere representation, or anything left of center will find it thin.

Twenty to thirty pours by the glass is a strong showing — you're not stuck choosing between two sad options while your table deliberates. Prices run $14 to $30, which is honest for this market and format. We'd expect the glass program to reflect the bottle list's California-forward DNA, so expect Cabernet-heavy rotation rather than anything that'll surprise you.