Napa's Greatest Hits, Perfectly Cooked
Glenwood South · Raleigh · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated April 2026
Reviewed March 16, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Sullivan's Steakhouse - Raleigh’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The list reads like a greatest-hits album of American wine — Caymus, Silver Oak, Opus One, Far Niente. If you've ever been to a white-tablecloth steakhouse before, you've seen this movie. That's not a knock exactly, but don't come here expecting surprises.
The 200-plus bottle list leans hard into Napa and Sonoma Cabernet with a supporting cast from Bordeaux and Burgundy — solid backbone, zero adventurousness. Duckhorn Merlot and Stag's Leap Artemis show up as reliable workhorses, while Opus One anchors the trophy end of the cellar. There's nothing wrong here, but the list is essentially curated for the guest who already knows what they want before they sit down. Anything outside California and France feels like an afterthought.
With 15-25 pours available, there's enough glass variety to navigate a multi-course meal without committing to a bottle. Expect the usual Cabs, Chardonnay, and maybe a token Pinot Grigio — functional rather than inspired. Rotation appears minimal; this list is not chasing seasonal trends.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon — Unknown
Among the lineup of Napa heavyweights here, Artemis consistently punches at its price point — serious structure without the Opus One price tag. It's the steakhouse Cab that doesn't require a second mortgage.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone walks past the Merlot to grab a Cab, but Duckhorn's version is genuinely serious wine — plush, structured, and a natural with a bone-in ribeye. Merlot has been unfairly in witness protection since Sideways and this is a good reason to let it back in.
Opus One
Look, it's Opus One — nobody's pretending it's bad wine. But in a steakhouse setting with steakhouse markups, you're paying a steep premium on top of an already expensive bottle to say you ordered it. The wine earns less here than what you'll pay for the privilege.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon + Bone-In Ribeye
Silver Oak Alexander Valley runs a touch riper and more approachable than its Napa sibling — that soft vanilla oak and dark fruit is practically designed to wrap around the char and fat of a bone-in ribeye. Classic for a reason.
The Bottom Line
Sullivan's delivers exactly what it promises: a deep-enough Napa-forward list, reliable execution, and zero risk. If you're looking for discovery, look elsewhere — but if you want a well-stored Silver Oak with your steak and no drama, this gets the job done.
· Raleigh · Steakhouse
Perry's Raleigh is a competent steakhouse wine list — nothing more, nothing less. The near-universal by-the-glass access is a genuine win, and the Perrin Côtes du Rhône and Kesseler Riesling give you something worth drinking if you look past the front-of-list crowd pleasers. Just don't come here expecting discovery; come here expecting reliability.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Glenwood South · Raleigh · Mediterranean
Vidrio isn't trying to reinvent wine lists, and it doesn't need to — solid French selections, fair pricing, and a by-the-glass program that actually gives you options make this a dependable wine destination in Raleigh. Send a friend here and they won't come back disappointed.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Raleigh · Raleigh · American, Seafood
The Players Retreat is the Wild Card because nobody walks in expecting a legitimate wine program at a beloved Raleigh neighborhood bar — and yet, here we are. Matt Fern keeps things credible, the California and French anchors are well-chosen, and as long as you steer past the grocery-store staples, you're drinking better than the room suggests.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Raleigh · Raleigh · Italian
Cucciolo Terrazza is a genuine surprise in Raleigh's dining scene — a neighborhood Italian with a wine list that earns its Wine Spectator badge and actually makes you want to explore beyond the first familiar name you recognize. Send your friends here and tell them to skip the Napa Cab.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Brier Creek · Raleigh · Indian
Azitra is doing something genuinely unusual — running a Wine Spectator-caliber list at an upscale Indian restaurant in Raleigh — and largely pulling it off. The Wednesday half-price program alone makes it worth putting in your rotation; the Bollinger and the Drouhin make it worth telling your friends about.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Unknown · Raleigh · Pizza
Ruckus Pizza is a solid spot for a casual pizza night — just don't come for the wine. Order a beer or a cocktail, or grab a bottle from the shop next door if they'll let you bring it in.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Hoschton · Steakhouse
Jacks is a genuinely fun neighborhood hang with solid food, but the wine program doesn't match the ambition of the kitchen. If wine is your thing, call ahead or bring your own if corkage is an option — otherwise, lean into the cocktails and enjoy the patio. We'd love to revisit this rating if they ever put some real thought into the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Point · Atlanta · Steakhouse
Malone's earns its loyal following on the strength of its pork chops and tenderloin, not its wine list. If wine matters to your meal, you may want to call ahead and ask what's available — or just lean into a cocktail and let the steak do the heavy lifting. This one's a food-first destination.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Acworth · Steakhouse
AG Steakhouse earns its reputation as a go-to for celebrations and big nights out on Lake Acworth — but the wine program appears to be in service of the experience rather than a destination in itself. If you're splurging on the filet or the Oscar-style halibut, budget accordingly for the bottle too, and don't expect the list to surprise you. A solid place to drink wine; not a reason to come specifically for wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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