The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille wine list is exactly what you'd expect from a national steakhouse chain: big Napa Cabs, recognizable Burgundy, a token Super Tuscan section, and enough Silver Oak to float a yacht. It's built for expense accounts and safe bets, not wine nerds hunting bottles.

The list leans heavy on California with the usual suspects—Caymus, Jordan, Duckhorn—alongside French classics like Louis Jadot and Châteauneuf staples. You'll find some Italian depth with Antinori and Gaja making appearances, plus enough big-brand Champagne to toast a merger. The Bordeaux section skews toward recognizable châteaux, though they're priced like Wall Street found them first. What's missing: anything adventurous, natural, or under-the-radar. This is wine as comfort food, which works fine until you see the markups.

The glass program sticks to the script with 12-15 options covering the bases: a Napa Cab, a buttery Chardonnay, maybe a Malbec for the red blend crowd. Expect brands you've seen at every steakhouse—Sonoma-Cutrer, La Crema, that sort of thing. They rotate seasonally but don't expect surprises. Pours are generous enough and the wine arrives at proper temp, which is more than some independents manage.