Bison on the plate, Napa in the glass
Downtown Bozeman · Bozeman · American steakhouse with bison specialties · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 18, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Ted's Montana Grill’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ted's Montana Grill reads like a greatest hits album of American wine — the kind of list that a committee assembled by asking 'what do people know?' Jordan, Duckhorn, Rombauer — all present and accounted for. It's comfortable, recognizable, and exactly what you'd expect from a Western-themed chain steakhouse doing honest work in downtown Bozeman.
The roughly 40-60 bottle list leans heavily on Napa Valley and Sonoma County, with a nod to Columbia Valley — which at least shows some Pacific Northwest awareness, appropriate for a Montana crowd. You're not finding any surprises here: no Willamette Valley Pinot to speak of, no domestic Rhône varieties, no left-field picks that make you lean forward. What you do get is a competent, West Coast-centric list that covers the bases without ever swinging for the fences. Gaps in the Old World are significant — if you're looking for a Burgundy or a Spanish Garnacha to cut through a rich bison ribeye, keep looking.
The by-the-glass program runs 8-12 options and mirrors the bottle list — expect the usual suspects rotating through Cabernet, Chardonnay, and maybe a Merlot or rosé. There's no evidence of an active rotation or curated seasonal pour program, so what you see is likely what you'll get every visit. It does the job for a table that just wants a solid glass with dinner, but don't come hunting for anything adventurous.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $65
Jordan is a steakhouse staple for a reason — it's approachable, well-structured, and plays well with red meat without demanding your full attention. It's not cheap, but it's the most defensible spend on this list given the food you're ordering.
Duckhorn Merlot
Merlot gets ignored at steakhouses because everyone defaults to Cab, but Duckhorn's Napa Merlot has the weight and dark fruit to handle bison beautifully — with a softer edge that actually complements the leaner protein. Most tables walk right past it.
Rombauer Chardonnay
Rombauer is everywhere and marked up accordingly. It's a heavily oaked, butter-forward Chardonnay that's become a meme at this point — you're paying for brand recognition more than quality, and a steakhouse markup doesn't make that math any friendlier.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Bison New York Strip
Bison is leaner and more mineral-forward than beef, and Jordan Cab's softer tannin structure and red fruit profile don't bulldoze it — they work with it. This is the clearest, most straightforward win on the menu.
The Bottom Line
Ted's Montana Grill is a reliable place to eat well and drink adequately — the wine list won't inspire you, but it won't embarrass you either. If you're here for the bison and want a bottle of Jordan to go with it, you're in good hands; if you're here for the wine program, you're in the wrong building.
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