Supper Club Classics with a Port Surprise
Downtown/Riverside · La Crosse · Steakhouse and Seafood, American Fine Dining · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 19, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed The Freighthouse Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Freighthouse is exactly what you'd expect from a historic supper club converted from a 19th-century railroad freight house — familiar names, approachable prices, and zero pretense. It's not going to challenge you, but it's also not going to embarrass you in front of your date. What does catch us off guard is a legitimate port program tucked at the back of the after-dinner menu.
The core list runs about 11 bottles spanning California, the Pacific Northwest, New Zealand, South Africa, and a couple of Italian pours — all crowd-pleasing labels that will read as safe and recognizable to most diners in La Crosse. You've got the Decoy Limited Cab from Paso Robles, Cloudline Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, and Babich Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough doing the heavy lifting. There's no old-world depth to speak of beyond the E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône, and the Purple Toad Sweet Red from Kentucky is a nod to local tastes that won't appeal to everyone. The real bright spot is the port selection — Fonseca Bin 27, Taylor Fladgate LBV, Taylor Fladgate 20 Year, and Sandeman's Reserve is a genuinely thoughtful after-dinner lineup that punches well above what this list suggests.
Fourteen glass pours is a generous number for a list this size, and the range covers all the bases — sparkling with Freixenet Prosecco, a rosé from South Africa, a Moscato d'Asti for the sweet crowd, and workhorses like the Fogscape Chardonnay and Cloudline Pinot Noir. At $8–$16 a glass, pricing is honest and won't sting. The rotation doesn't appear to change much, so don't expect seasonal surprises.
E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Syrah+, 2021 — $40–$50/bottle (est.)
Guigal's Côtes du Rhône consistently overdelivers for the money — it's a recognizable, reliable producer making serious Rhône wine at an entry price point. On a list full of California mass-market bottles, this is the one that actually has a story behind it and drinks above its station.
Delille Cellars Chaleur Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington
Most diners here are locked in on the Chardonnay or the Sauvignon Blanc, and they're going to walk right past this. Delille is one of Washington's top producers, and the Chaleur Blanc — a Bordeaux Blanc-style blend — is more complex and interesting than anything else on this list. It's the wine that tells you someone at this restaurant knows a little something.
Purple Toad Black and Bruised Sweet Red, Ohio River Valley, Kentucky
This is a novelty pick from a Kentucky fruit winery that skews heavily sweet — fine if that's your thing, but at a steakhouse with prime rib on the menu, it's the wrong call. There are better options on this list at likely the same price.
Decoy Limited Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, 2022 + Prime Rib
Paso Robles Cab tends to be riper and more approachable than Napa, with enough dark fruit and structure to stand up to a thick cut of prime rib without demanding your full attention. It's the comfort-food pairing this room was built for.
The Bottom Line
The Freighthouse won't blow any wine geeks away, but it's a fair, unpretentious list that does its job well in the context of a classic American steakhouse — and that port selection is a genuine reason to linger. If you're in La Crosse and want something reliable with your prime rib, you could do a lot worse.
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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