Classic Steakhouse Pours That Don't Embarrass You
Perkins Rowe / South Baton Rouge · Baton Rouge · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 27, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Sullivan's Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Sullivan's arrives with the confident swagger of a national steakhouse chain that knows exactly who it's serving — expense account diners and special occasion regulars who want Caymus with their ribeye and won't argue about the price. The list is billed as award-winning, which in chain steakhouse parlance usually means someone submitted it somewhere once. Still, at 150-plus bottles, it's not nothing.
The list leans hard into California — Napa and Sonoma dominate, with supporting appearances from Washington State and a polite nod to Burgundy and Bordeaux for the old-world crowd. What you get is a greatest hits of American fine dining staples: Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Rombauer — wines your guests will recognize and feel good about ordering. There's nothing here that'll surprise a wine-curious diner, and that's exactly the point. The Bordeaux and Burgundy sections exist but don't run deep enough to get genuinely excited about.
Sixteen to twenty-four options by the glass is a respectable pour program for a steakhouse, and the happy hour floor of $10 a glass makes it approachable before dinner really gets going. The BTG list tracks predictably with the bottle list — Meiomi Pinot Noir, Rombauer Chard, the usual suspects — but the depth means you're not stuck drinking the house Cab if you want something white or lighter. Rotation appears limited; this reads more like a set menu than a living program.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, Columbia Valley — $10
In a room full of $15+ Cabs and Chards, this Washington Riesling is the sleeper. It's a genuinely good producer making honest Riesling, and at the happy hour price point it's the best glass-for-dollar play on the list — especially if you're eating anything with a sauce.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley
Everyone reaches for Caymus or Silver Oak because the labels are familiar, but Jordan is the grown-up in the room — more structured, less fruit-bomby, actually built to drink alongside food rather than instead of it. Most tables skip right past it, which means more for you.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Caymus is everywhere, which means Sullivan's knows they can mark it up and people will still order it by name. You're paying a premium for brand recognition on a wine that's been chasing commercial approachability for years. The juice is fine; the value is not.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley + Tomahawk Trio (32 oz Australian Tomahawk Ribeye)
Silver Oak's Alexander Valley bottling has the fruit weight and structure to stand up to 32 ounces of hard-seared beef without either element bullying the other. It's a big wine for a big cut — and honestly, this is the one moment on the list where leaning into the California Cab cliché is actually the right call.
The Bottom Line
Sullivan's is a reliable wine destination in the sense that it won't let you down at a work dinner or anniversary, but it's not a place you come to for discovery or value — you come for comfort and crowd-pleasing pours with a great steak. Order the Jordan, skip the Caymus markup, and enjoy your evening.
· Baton Rouge · Fine Dining / French-Creole
French Market Bistro has the bones of a solid wine program — 72 labels, real Champagne houses, and one genuinely exciting Burgundy — but the list plays it so California-safe that the French-Creole kitchen deserves better company. A reliable stop, not a destination.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Baton Rouge · Mexican / Coastal
Veracruz has a coastal Mexican concept with real potential, but nine bottles — mostly California supermarket staples — is not a wine program worth seeking out. Order the MAN Chenin Blanc or the rosé, and hope the food carries the night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jefferson / Airline · Baton Rouge · Barbecue and Seafood
BRQ is a solid neighborhood restaurant with a wine list that knows its audience — approachable, inoffensive, and honestly fine for what it is. Hit it on a Wednesday, grab the seasonal rosé or a bottle of The Prisoner at half price, and you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Downtown Baton Rouge · Baton Rouge · Italian
The Little Village isn't your wine destination, but Tuesday happy hour from 5–7 PM flips this into a genuinely good deal — half-price bottles on a $40–$140 list changes the math entirely. Come for the veal, order early, and let Tuesday do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
South Baton Rouge / Airline Highway · Baton Rouge · Italian
The Little Village Airline is not a destination for wine — it's a destination for lasagna, and the wine list knows it. Come on a Wednesday, order a bottle of La Crema at half price, and you'll leave happy enough.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Mid City / Perkins Road Overpass · Baton Rouge · Cajun and Creole Seafood
Parrain's is a legitimately great seafood spot that simply doesn't care about wine, and the list proves it. Order the étouffée, have a beer or a cocktail, and save your wine enthusiasm for somewhere that's earned it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
Il Premio is a steakhouse that took its wine list seriously enough to skip the obvious plays, and the result is one of the more interesting Italian-focused lists in Atlanta right now. It's compact, priced fairly across the board, and built for exploration — whether you're going glass by glass through the Italian regions or just need a solid bottle of Chianti Classico at $72 to make a steak dinner feel right. We'd send a friend here specifically for the wine.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Healdsburg · Steakhouse
Stark's is the rare steakhouse that treats wine as something other than an afterthought or a cash grab. The list is compact but genuinely considered, markups are fair across the board, and the full bottle-to-glass availability is a policy every restaurant should copy. If you're eating in Healdsburg and want to drink well without overpaying, this is a legitimate stop.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse
Order by the glass and explore: the posted menu gives you Riesling, Chablis, Cahors and Rioja without a bottle commitment. Pentimento at $16 is our price-conscious red starting point. Check the current list before ordering; the complete cellar, service and storage haven't been independently verified.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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