Saratoga's Comfortable Classic Delivers the Hits
Downtown · Saratoga Springs · Classic American Steakhouse and New American
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 20, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Sperry's Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Sperry's reads like a greatest hits album from Napa — you know every song, and that's kind of the point. For a Saratoga institution that's been feeding racetrack crowds and anniversary dinners for decades, this is exactly the list you'd expect: safe, recognizable, and priced to match the room. There's nothing here to surprise you, but there's also nothing to embarrass you in front of a table full of clients.
The list runs 80-120 bottles with a clear gravitational pull toward California — Napa and Sonoma dominate, with Bordeaux and Burgundy rounding out the Old World section without going too deep. The marquee names are all present: Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Rombauer — the kind of producers that move bottles in steakhouses because guests already trust them. What's missing is any real adventurousness; there's no under-the-radar Rhône producer, no interesting Italian, nothing that would make a wine-curious diner lean forward. This list was built to close sales, not start conversations.
Twelve to twenty by-the-glass options is a respectable range for this format, and the pricing between $13 and $20 is on the higher end but not outrageous for Saratoga's market. The selections mirror the bottle list — expect the Rombauer Chardonnay and Meiomi Pinot Noir to anchor the pour program. Rotation appears minimal; this reads like a list that gets reviewed annually, not seasonally.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $45-$65
Jordan sits in the sweet spot where name recognition meets actual quality. It's not Caymus-priced but it drinks like a serious bottle, and in a steakhouse setting it's the move that gets you a great glass without paying Silver Oak prices for the brand bump.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Easy to dismiss as a grocery store staple, but by the glass at a steakhouse this is a genuinely solid lighter option if you're eating fish or a lighter cut. Most people at a steakhouse reach for Cab automatically — the Meiomi gives you an exit ramp and it works.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and restaurants know they can charge a premium for the name recognition. You're paying a significant markup over retail for a wine that's been available in every Total Wine in America for years. The juice is fine; the value is not.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon + Dry-Aged Ribeye
Silver Oak's softer tannin structure and pronounced vanilla and dark fruit profile make it an easier match for a well-marbled ribeye than a more austere Cab. It's a crowd-pleasing pairing that actually earns its reputation in this context.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Sperry's is Saratoga's dependable dinner institution, and the wine list is a mirror image of that identity — reliable, approachable, and not trying to reinvent anything. Send your friends here for a great steak and a bottle of Jordan; just don't send them expecting to discover something new.
Downtown · Saratoga Springs · Tuscan Italian
Forno Bistro isn't a destination wine list, but it's a fair and functional one that respects your wallet — especially on Mondays when half-price bottles make a $30 Chianti feel like a genuine gift. Send your friends here for a fun dinner; just don't send the ones who want to talk about terroir.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
West Side / Route 50 Area · Saratoga Springs · Wine Bar and Bistro
If you're in Saratoga and want an honest, unpretentious look at what the Finger Lakes can do, Thirsty Owl earns the stop — especially on the patio in the warmer months. Just go in knowing this is a winery showcase, not a global wine bar, and you'll leave happy.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Side / Route 29 · Saratoga Springs · Winery with American Fare / Wood-Fired Pizza
The Saratoga Winery is a legitimate Wild Card: a single-producer list of cold-hardy New York grapes served in an Adirondack tasting room with live music and wood-fired pizza. It's not a destination for serious wine exploration, but it's a genuinely fun, low-stakes way to drink something you've never tried before.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Downtown · Saratoga Springs · Upscale New American
15 Church has the bones of a genuinely good wine program — the range is there, the interesting picks exist — but the pricing is aggressive enough that you'll spend more time doing mental math than enjoying your glass. Stick to the Old World bottles and avoid anything with a recognizable California label.
Solid Range
Gouge
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Race Course / Union Avenue · Saratoga Springs · American, trackside dining
Come for the races, stay for the atmosphere, but don't come here for the wine. If you need something in a glass to toast a winner, grab the Champagne and leave it at that.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Maple Avenue · Saratoga Springs · Jazz Bar / Cocktail Bar
Come to Nine Maple Avenue for the live jazz, the whiskey program, and the atmosphere — the wine list is a placeholder, not a reason to visit. If you're committed to ordering wine, grab the Château D'Esclans Rosé and enjoy the music.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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