California Classics, Steakhouse Swagger, Tampa Rooftop
West Shore · Tampa · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 12, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Union New American’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Union New American reads like a California greatest hits album — Caymus, Silver Oak, Opus One, Rombauer. If you've eaten at a upscale American steakhouse in the last decade, these names are old friends. It's a confident, crowd-pleasing list that knows exactly who it's serving.
With 150-250 bottles and a sharp California focus, this is a list built to flatter a ribeye and impress a client dinner, not challenge anyone's assumptions. The anchor producers — Stag's Leap, Jordan, Duckhorn, Far Niente — are all legitimate, and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence (since 2023) confirms the list is at least being curated with intention. What's missing is any real adventurousness: no meaningful European presence, no domestic outliers, no natural wine detour. It's a list that wins on name recognition rather than discovery.
With 12-20 options by the glass, there's enough to work with across a meal — expect the usual suspects from California to dominate here too. Rotation appears minimal; this feels like a set-and-forget program rather than something a manager is tweaking weekly. That said, the quality floor is high enough that you're unlikely to get a bad pour.
Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon — $60
Jordan consistently overdelivers for its price point — elegant, food-friendly Cab that doesn't try to be a blockbuster. At a steakhouse loaded with bigger, pricier options, this is the move if you want finesse over flash.
Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot
Everyone sleeping on Duckhorn Merlot at a steakhouse is ordering Cab out of habit. This is plush, structured, and genuinely great with red meat — and you'll likely pay less than the Cabernets dominating the list.
Opus One
Opus One is a landmark wine, no argument there — but at a restaurant with steep markups and no sommelier to contextualize it, you're paying a luxury premium for a label. Save it for a place that can actually do it justice.
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay + Korean BBQ Roll
The Korean BBQ roll's sweet-savory char and richness need something that can match without fighting — Rombauer's buttery, fruit-forward Chardonnay is basically built for this moment. It's the most fun pairing on the menu and nobody's ordering it.
The Bottom Line
Union delivers a reliable, California-heavy wine list that makes sense for a buzzy Tampa steakhouse with rooftop ambitions — just don't come looking for surprises. Send a client here; take a wine-curious friend somewhere else.
Water Street · Tampa · Seafood, Steakhouse
Driftlight is doing something real here — a dedicated sommelier, a properly sized list, and a Wine Spectator credential earned in its first year of eligibility. Pricing will run hotel-restaurant steep, but if you're eating on Tampa's Water Street and want a bottle that was actually chosen by someone who cares, this is your best bet in the neighborhood.
Solid Range
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
· Tampa · Steakhouse
Bern's is a legend for a reason, and even this sparkling-focused slice of its list shows a house that genuinely cares about what's in the glass. The grower Champagne presence alone makes it worth a visit — just steer clear of the Korbel section and spend a few extra dollars where it counts.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
Tampa · Tampa · American
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.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
SoHo · Tampa · American, Seasonal
Élevage is the kind of place that does California wine correctly without doing anything unexpected with it — the list is dependable, the setting earns it, and the Wine Spectator nod is deserved. Send a friend here if they love Napa Cab and a good steak; redirect the wine geeks to somewhere with more range.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Tampa · Tampa · Seafood, Floridian
Ulele is a great restaurant that happens to have a competent wine list — not a wine destination that happens to serve great food. If you're in town for the waterfront, the smoked mullet dip, and a solid glass of California Chardonnay, you'll leave happy; just don't expect the list to keep up with the ambition of the kitchen. Wednesday's half-price wine night is genuinely worth planning around.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Water Street · Tampa · American, French
Boulon is a reliable wine stop in Tampa's growing Water Street corridor — the list is curated enough to respect, even if it rarely surprises. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink well; just don't send the friend who's hoping to find something they've never heard of.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Westwood · Los Angeles · American, Steakhouse
A Cabernet-first list with 30 glasses and a long bottle book, but no wine prices posted online. If you want a known price, the $9 happy hour Bonanza Cabernet by Caymus is the one posted figure, and if you want to step away from Cabernet, try the Il Bruciato Super Tuscan by the glass. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Scottsdale · Scottsdale · American, Steakhouse
A very large list with a long glass section, from a $14 Muscadet to a $90 pour of Krug. Start with the $14/glass Mélon de Bourgogne, then look at the Arizona Selections page if you want an Arizona bottle, and confirm prices because the PDF says they are subject to change. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Van Ness / Polk · San Francisco · American, Steakhouse
A serious steakhouse list with a glass program you can actually use: 32 pours by the stem from 14 to 99 and California Cabernet across eight pages. Start with the Keenan Cabernet at 22 by the stem, or step up to the Jordan Alexander Valley at 129 with the Porterhouse, and ask which vintages are current since the list is subject to vintage change. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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