Solid Steakhouse Pours in a Wine Desert
Naples · Naples · American Steakhouse
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 24, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Grill’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Grill reads like every other upscale steakhouse in Southwest Florida: Napa Cabs, big-brand Chardonnays, and markups that assume you're paying with house-sale money. Nothing here will surprise you, but nothing will embarrass you either.
The list skews heavily toward California and familiar French regions—think Caymus, Silver Oak, and a few Bordeaux that get wheeled out for celebrations. There's a token Italian section with the usual suspects (Barolo, Brunello) and enough Pinot Noir to keep the lighter-red crowd happy. Depth is sacrificed for breadth, and breadth is sacrificed for brands people recognize. You won't find natural wines, orange wines, or anything that requires explanation.
Glass pours lean predictable: a domestic Chardonnay around $14, a Malbec that does the job, maybe a Sancerre if you're lucky. The rotation is more 'annual' than 'seasonal'—these bottles aren't going anywhere until they're empty. Count on 8-10 options that cover the bases without taking risks.
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon — $42
Solid Washington Cab with plenty of fruit and structure for $42—a rare reasonable markup in a sea of $80 Napa bottles
Domaine Chandon Brut Classic
Most people sleep on California sparklers at steakhouses, but this Napa méthode traditionnelle has enough acid to cut through butter-poached lobster and costs half what Champagne does here
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
At $58 a bottle, you're paying $40 over retail for something you can grab at any grocery store—order literally anything else
Duckhorn Merlot + Bone-In Ribeye
Merlot gets dismissed at steakhouses, but Duckhorn's plush blackberry fruit and soft tannins let the beef's char and fat shine without a tug-of-war
The Bottom Line
The Grill won't wow anyone hunting for natural wines or rare finds, but if you need a dependable Cab with your steak in Naples, it gets the job done. Just don't look too hard at the markups.
Naples · Naples · American
Warren is a whiskey bar that does wine correctly, which is more than most can say. Eric Gaboury and the Wine Spectator nod give it credibility, and if you stick to the California producers you know or let staff steer you toward the Burgundy shelf, you'll drink well with your steak.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Mercato · Naples · American
Old Vines is exactly what it needs to be for Mercato — a polished, reliable wine list with genuine depth in its California and French lanes, even if the pricing skews toward the Naples wallet and the list doesn't take many risks. Send a friend here if they want something they recognize done well; send a wine nerd elsewhere.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Naples · Naples · American Steakhouse
Shula's is a genuinely impressive California Cab cellar wearing a classic steakhouse suit — the markups sting and the list doesn't wander far from Napa, but if that's your game, this is one of the better places to play it in Southwest Florida. Come on a Wednesday, order the Hillside Select, and stop overthinking it.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Occasional
Proper
Marco Island · Naples · Italian
Sale E Pepe is the rare beachside Italian that takes its wine program as seriously as the frescoes on the walls — the Italian cellar depth is real, the WS credential is well-earned, and it's worth the trip even if the markups sting a little. Send your friends here for Barolo and osso buco; they'll thank you.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Vanderbilt Beach · Naples · Gulf Coast Seafood
Baleen delivers exactly what a resort wine list should: no surprises, no risks, just reliable bottles at premium prices. If you're here for the sunset and fresh grouper, the wine program won't get in the way—but it won't elevate the meal either.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Naples · Naples · Upscale Seafood & Steakhouse
Ocean Prime delivers exactly what it promises: a safe, corporate wine experience that won't embarrass your boss but won't surprise anyone either. Come for the scene and the seafood, order a cocktail, and if you must have wine, stick to the recognizable mid-tier bottles and don't look at the markup too closely.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Fort Worth · American Steakhouse
Del Frisco's Grille Fort Worth has a wine list the same way an airport newsstand has a wine section — technically true, practically limiting. Order the Tokaji for dessert, drink cocktails with dinner, and don't expect anyone to help you navigate the difference.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Carson · Carson City · American Steakhouse
Glen Eagles is a comfortable, classic Carson City steakhouse with a wine list that's essentially coasting — one strong Port section surrounded by a whole lot of nothing. Come for the prime rib, order a Port after, and don't expect much more from the wine side of the menu.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
San Marcos · San Marcos · American Steakhouse
Outback San Marcos won't embarrass you if you order a glass with dinner, but you're not here for the wine list and nobody pretends otherwise. Stick to the Riesling or the Malbec and spend your energy on the steak.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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