The Capital Grille
Corporate Wine List Meets Corporate Steakhouse
Fort Lauderdale · Fort Lauderdale · American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed February 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The Capital Grille wine list is exactly what you'd expect from a national chain steakhouse: safe, familiar, and designed not to offend anyone. It's a leather-bound book of Napa Cabs, big-name Bordeaux, and exactly zero surprises. This is wine-by-committee, built for expense accounts.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans heavily on California prestige labels and French blue chips—think Silver Oak, Caymus, Jordan, with some Penfolds and Antinori thrown in for international flair. You'll find a respectable Bordeaux section with recognizable châteaux, though mostly from accessible vintages. The Italian section plays it safe with Super Tuscans and Amarone. What's missing: anything remotely adventurous, any natural producers, any reason to get excited. It's a wine list built for people who order wine because they're supposed to, not because they want to.
By the Glass
The glass pour program hits the expected notes—a Napa Cab, a Willamette Pinot, a Sancerre, maybe a Malbec. Pours are generous and the selection rotates seasonally, but don't expect anything to challenge your palate. Prices by the glass hover in the $14-$22 range, which isn't unreasonable but isn't exciting either. They'll have something drinkable, just nothing memorable.
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages — $42
One of the few lighter reds on a Cab-heavy list, drinks well and won't bankrupt you for a Tuesday night steak
Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico
Everyone sleeps on this because they're hunting trophy Napa Cabs, but it's got structure, acid, and plays beautifully with the dry-aged ribeye
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet
Marked up to $175+ when you can find it for $75 retail—the poster child for steakhouse wine pricing
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc + Lobster Mac & Cheese
The only white with enough acid to cut through all that cream and butter—everyone orders Chardonnay here and regrets it
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Capital Grille delivers exactly what it promises: a predictable, well-executed wine program with corporate polish and corporate markup. If you're here on someone else's dime and need a safe Cab, you'll be fine. If you're looking for discovery or value, order a cocktail.
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