801 Chophouse
A serious steak list that earns its stripes
Downtown · Des Moines · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 13, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Three hundred and fifty selections with 1,250 bottles in inventory — this is not a list someone threw together on a slow Tuesday. 801 Chophouse is swinging with intention, and the California-forward lineup makes sense given the beef-heavy menu. There's a sommelier on staff, which immediately tells you someone actually cares about what's in that cellar.
Selection Deep Dive
California dominates, as you'd expect at a chophouse, but France and Italy keep things honest and give the list some range beyond cab country. The presence of Massican's 'Annia' — a serious Napa white blending Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Malvasia — signals that whoever built this list isn't just playing to the crowd. Our Lady of Guadalupe Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills and Frog's Leap Estate Cab from Rutherford round out a trio of picks that show real range across California's diverse appellations. At 350 selections, there's enough depth here to reward a second and third visit without repeating yourself.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs a half-price deal on all glass pours priced at $30 or under — an unusually generous cut that makes the glass program worth taking seriously. Exact pour counts and specific wines by the glass aren't confirmed on the current menu, but the markup data suggests glasses start reasonable and the deal sweetens them further. If you're dining solo or just want to explore without committing to a bottle, this is a legitimate play.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley — $40
Jordan retails around $70 and routinely outdrinks bottles twice its price. Picking it up for $40 by the glass or as part of the deal structure here is a genuine win — classic Sonoma structure, cedar and black cherry, built for red meat.
2023 Massican 'Annia', Napa Valley
Most people scanning a steakhouse list aren't looking for a field-blend white from Napa, which is exactly why this one gets overlooked. Massican's 'Annia' is bright, textured, and genuinely interesting — a smart opener before the red meat arrives, and one of the more distinctive bottles on this list.
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
At $17 it's technically the cheapest option in the markup sample, but Justin Cab is available at every grocery store in America for $25. Nothing wrong with the wine itself, but you're at a 350-bottle steakhouse with a real sommelier — you can do better.
2022 Our Lady of Guadalupe Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills + Filet Mignon
Sta. Rita Hills Pinot has the acidity and red fruit lift to cut through the richness of a filet without overpowering it the way a big Napa cab can. It's the rare bottle that makes a tender cut taste more tender.
Day not specified — Half price on all by-the-glass options priced at $30 or under
✔️ The Bottom Line
801 Chophouse is the kind of wine list that surprises you inside a format that usually doesn't bother. Fair markups, a working sommelier, and depth that goes well beyond the expected — yes, send your friends here for wine.
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