Vernon's Speakeasy

New Mexico's only speakeasy restaurant — you literally need a password to get in — and the wine list leans hard into its upscale steakhouse identity. The California-heavy lineup reads like a greatest hits compilation: Caymus, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap. It's familiar, it's comfortable, and if you love big Napa Cabs with your bone-in ribeye, you're going to be just fine here.

The list runs 80 to 120 bottles and stays firmly planted in California, with a particular affection for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. You'll find Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in the red column, and Rombauer and Cakebread anchoring the whites — these are crowd favorites for a reason, but don't expect any curveballs or regional exploration. There's no detour into Burgundy, no Rhône curiosity, no domestic outliers from Oregon or the Finger Lakes. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2020 is well-earned within this lane, but the lane is narrow.

With 10 to 16 options by the glass at $10 to $18, the pour selection mirrors the bottle list — California-forward and recognizable. It's a solid range for a steakhouse crowd, though don't expect the list to rotate much or surprise you with anything off the beaten path. The pricing is fair enough at the glass level given the upscale setting.