Lombardi's Playbook: Safe, Solid, No Surprises
Downtown · Appleton · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Vince Lombardi's Steakhouse’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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You open the wine list at Vince Lombardi's and it reads exactly like you'd expect from a white-tablecloth Midwestern steakhouse — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Duckhorn. The room earns its reverence with Lombardi memorabilia and hushed fine-dining energy, and the list leans into that tradition hard. It's not trying to surprise you, and it doesn't.
The list runs 80-150 labels deep, which sounds impressive until you realize it's almost entirely California cabernet and chardonnay with a handful of Old World reds nodding at respectability. Jordan Alexander Valley and Silver Oak anchor the domestic cab side, while Duckhorn holds down the Merlot corner. There's no real adventure here — no Rhône alternatives, no domestic Pinot worth getting excited about, no anything from Italy or Spain that would make a wine-curious diner lean forward. It's a steakhouse canon list executed without much editorial point of view.
The by-the-glass program runs 10-18 pours in the $12-$20 range, which is solid coverage for a room like this. Don't expect rotating selections or anything seasonal — what's on the menu is what's been on the menu. The pours are reliable if unexciting, and they'll hold up fine against a ribeye.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley — $50–$70 (bottle est.)
Jordan is the rare California cab that's actually priced like wine instead of a status symbol. At a steakhouse where Silver Oak is inevitably marked up into the stratosphere, Jordan delivers genuine Alexander Valley character — structured, cedar-edged, food-friendly — without the premium brand tax. It's the move.
Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley
Everyone in this zip code is ordering cabernet, and Duckhorn Merlot gets ignored as a result. That's their loss. This is a genuinely serious Napa Merlot with enough structure and plum richness to go head-to-head with a prime cut — and it's almost always cheaper than the cabs sitting next to it on the list.
Caymus Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and that's the problem. It's become the default order for people who want to feel like they're spending money on wine, and restaurants know it — which means the markup reflects the brand recognition, not the quality. It's a fine, ripe, crowd-pleasing cab, but you're paying for the label more than the liquid here.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley + USDA Prime Ribeye
Jordan's firm tannin structure and restrained fruit profile are built for red meat. The ribeye's fat and char pull out the cab's cedar and dark fruit without getting steamrolled by an overripe bomb. It's a classic match executed well — exactly what this room promises.
The Bottom Line
Vince Lombardi's wine list won't win any awards for creativity, but it's competent, well-suited to the menu, and it won't embarrass the kitchen. If you're here for a prime steak and a reliable bottle of Jordan, you'll leave happy — just don't come looking for discovery.
Unknown · Appleton · Brazilian Steakhouse (Churrascaria)
Texas de Brazil is about the meat, full stop — and the wine list makes no effort to pretend otherwise. Come for the endless churrasco, but don't come here expecting the wine to keep up with the kitchen.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Greater Appleton / Fox Cities · Appleton · Winery Bistro
LaBelle Winery Fox Cities is a genuine Wild Card in the Appleton dining scene — a focused, single-producer list of cold-hardy grapes you won't find anywhere else in town. Send a friend who's curious and open-minded; skip it if they need a Cabernet.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Appleton · Appleton · Italian
Carmella's is the kind of place that has no business having this good a wine list — and that's meant as a compliment. The markups on the top-shelf bottles sting, but the depth and seriousness of the Italian selection alone make it worth a visit for anyone who wants to drink well in Wisconsin.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Appleton · Appleton · Italian
Victoria's isn't a wine destination, but the prices are honest, the Italian picks are legitimate, and a $10 Chianti Riserva with a massive plate of pasta is a genuinely good night out. Send your friends here if they want comfort food and an easy bottle — just don't expect anyone to geek out over the list with you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Appleton · Appleton · Japanese
Katsu-Ya is a perfectly solid Japanese restaurant where the wine list exists as an obligation, not a feature. Come for the katsu and ramen, order sake or a Sapporo, and if you must have wine, grab the Koshu and move on.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Appleton · Brewpub / American
Stone Arch earns its reputation on craft beer, full stop — the wine list is a courtesy offering for whoever at the table doesn't drink beer, not a reason to come in thirsty for something from a bottle. Order a pint, enjoy the atmosphere, and save your wine ambitions for another night.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Highway 29 corridor · St. Helena · Upscale American Steakhouse
PRESS is the rare place where a 2,700-bottle list actually delivers — deep, well-stored, and staffed by people who know what they're talking about. The pricing is steep by any honest measure, but if Napa Cabernet is your religion, this is the cathedral.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Mauna Lani Resort · Kailua-Kona · Upscale American Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Mauna Lani does exactly what it promises: a deep, California-forward wine list served in proper glassware at steep resort prices inside a flawless steakhouse setting. You won't discover anything new here, but if you're after a great bottle of Napa Cab with your Prime filet and an ocean breeze somewhere nearby, this list will not let you down.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
West Downtown / Maple District · Evanston · Upscale American Steakhouse
The Barn does exactly what it sets out to do — deliver a no-fuss, big-red-forward wine list in a clubby, comfortable room. It's not a destination for wine lovers, but if you're coming for a serious steak and want something reliable in the glass, you'll leave satisfied.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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