Casino Steakhouse Wine That Actually Delivers
Tampa · Tampa · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed May 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into The Rez Grill, you get the full casino-steakhouse experience — polished, confident, and very much California-forward. The wine list leans hard into Napa and Sonoma heavyweights, which makes sense when half your guests just came from the poker tables and want to order something they recognize. Wine Spectator has been handing this place an Award of Excellence since 2018, and there's a real sommelier here — Stefania Lopez — which is more than most casino dining rooms can say.
The list reads like a greatest hits of American wine: Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Cakebread, Rombauer — all the names your uncle brings to Thanksgiving. It's a California-dominant program with the confidence to not apologize for it. What's missing is any real adventure: no serious old-world presence, no under-the-radar producers, no natural wine flirtation. If you came looking for a Barolo or a Jura Chardonnay, you're at the wrong table. But if you want well-sourced California classics served properly, this list knows exactly what it is.
By-the-glass specifics aren't publicly listed, but with Stefania Lopez running the program and a Thursday half-price wine night in rotation, there's clearly some thought going into accessibility. We'd expect the pours to mirror the bottle list — California-heavy, familiar labels, probably 8-12 options. The half-price Thursday alone earns points for a casino restaurant.
Rombauer Chardonnay Carneros — $80
Rombauer is a crowd-pleaser that actually delivers — rich, oaky, full-throttle California Chardonnay that retails around $40. At $80, you're paying a real markup, but for a casino steakhouse, this is one of the more reasonably priced bottles on the list and it consistently delivers what people want.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
Jordan gets slept on because it doesn't have the cult status of Caymus or Silver Oak, but it's often the better wine — more elegant, more structured, actually finishes dry. At $140 it's the most interesting Cab on the list and the one Stefania would probably steer you toward if you asked nicely.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
At $195, you're paying a massive premium for a wine that's become more brand than bottle. Caymus has scaled up production significantly over the years and the quality hasn't kept pace with the price or the reputation. The Jordan at $140 is a better drink and a better deal.
Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley + Prime Ribeye Steak
Silver Oak's Alexander Valley Cab has the structure to stand up to a fatty, well-marbled ribeye without bulldozing it. It's a classic California Cab with enough dark fruit and firm tannins to make the beef sing — exactly the kind of pairing a casino steakhouse was built for.
Thursday — Half-price wine night every Thursday — the best reason to eat at a casino steakhouse on a weeknight.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Rez Grill isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's doing the casino steakhouse thing better than it has any obligation to — a real sommelier, a Thursday half-price night, and a list that knows its lane. Come for the ribeye, order the Jordan, and leave before you hit the slots.
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