California Cab Country, Right Where You'd Expect
Alpine · Alpine · Steak House · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 17, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Grove Steakhouse’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 Grove Steakhouse leans hard into its California steakhouse identity — dim lighting, hill views, and a wine list that reads like a greatest hits of Napa Valley. It's the kind of list where you know exactly what you're getting before you open it, which is either comforting or boring depending on your mood.
The list is anchored almost entirely in California, with the usual suspects all accounted for: Cakebread, Duckhorn, Far Niente, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, and Opus One. It's a curated parade of recognizable labels rather than a deep exploration of what California can do. There are no surprises here — no small producers, no left-field Rhône varieties or coastal Pinots to break the Napa Cab monotony. Wine Spectator has recognized this program with an Award of Excellence since 2019, which tells you it's well-managed and properly stocked, even if it isn't adventurous.
By-the-glass specifics aren't published, which is a small frustration — a steakhouse with this kind of bottle lineup should be showing off at least a few pours. Wednesday's half-price wine night is the real draw if you're looking to explore the list without the full bottle commitment.
Stag's Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — $135
In a list full of four-figure showstoppers and inflated classics, the Artemis is the sweet spot. It's a legit Napa Cab from one of the valley's most respected houses, and at $135 it's the least punishing option that still lets you drink well.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Most people at a steakhouse reach for Napa first, but the Alexander Valley Silver Oak is consistently underrated. It's softer, a little more approachable, and at $165 it undercuts the Napa bottling by a meaningful margin while still delivering that signature Silver Oak character.
Rombauer Chardonnay 2022
At $92 a bottle, you're paying a steep premium for a wine that retails comfortably under $35. Rombauer is fine — buttery, crowd-friendly, perfectly drinkable — but this markup is hard to justify when you're already spending on a steakhouse dinner.
Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 + Filet Mignon
Far Niente's Cab is polished and structured without being a bruiser — exactly what you want next to a filet. The wine's dark fruit and firm tannins complement the lean cut without overwhelming it, and the $225 price tag makes this the splurge that actually earns it.
Wednesday — Half-price wine night every Wednesday — the best reason to visit if you want to work through the upper end of the list without the full markup sting.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Grove is a reliable steakhouse wine list that knows its audience and serves them well — just don't come looking for discovery. If you're going, go on Wednesday and go for the Stag's Leap.
Hartland · Hartland · Steak House
Palmer's is a reliable steakhouse wine list that delivers exactly what its suburban clientele wants — well-known California names, solid execution, and nothing too weird. If you're a wine adventurer, you'll want to temper expectations; if you're celebrating with a ribeye and a Jordan Cab, you'll leave satisfied.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Town Square · Jackson · Steak House
The Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse has a sommelier, a Wine Spectator credential, and a list that knows its audience — which is Jackson tourists who want great steak and great Napa Cab, full stop. Send a friend here if they want a proper California red with a serious piece of beef; just warn them to skip Opus One and let Jordan do the work.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Milwaukee · Milwaukee · Steak House
Ward's House of Prime is exactly what it says it is: a classic Milwaukee steakhouse with a wine list built to match big cuts of beef. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is well-earned, but don't come looking for adventure — come looking for a great California Cab and a slab of prime rib.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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