Big Napa energy, Little Italy zip code
Little Italy · San Diego · Classic American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Born & Raised reads like a greatest-hits album of Napa Valley — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Cakebread, Far Niente. It's impressive the way a well-pressed suit is impressive: confident, polished, and not about to surprise you. You're here to drink big California Cab with a dry-aged ribeye, and this list knows exactly what it is.
The bottle list is sizable and California-dominant, with Napa Cab doing the heavy lifting across multiple price points. Champagne gets a solid nod via Veuve Clicquot, and Duckhorn holds down the Merlot corner for guests who haven't moved on from 2004. Old World representation exists but feels more obligatory than passionate — this list was built to serve steakhouse regulars, not to challenge them. If you're hunting for anything outside Napa, Sonoma, and France's biggest names, you'll find the pickings thin.
Roughly 15–20 pours span reds, whites, rosé, and sparkling, which is a generous spread for a steakhouse. Glasses run $15–$30, and the range lets you work through the California canon without committing to a bottle. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority — expect the same reliable faces every visit.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $95
Jordan retails around $50 and typically sits at the more reasonable end of the markup spectrum compared to the Caymus and Silver Oak on this list. It's a classic Alexander Valley Cab — structured, food-friendly, and built exactly for a plate of beef. On a list where 3x markups are standard, Jordan is the closest thing to a fair deal you'll find in the red column.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at the table is ordering Cab, which is exactly why you should look at the Duckhorn Merlot. It's a rounder, more generous pour that handles the richness of a prime rib or tableside Caesar better than a tannic Napa Cab does. People sleep on Merlot at steakhouses and that's their loss.
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
At $230 a bottle against a $90 retail price, you're paying a 155% markup on a wine that's become more of a brand status symbol than a standout bottle. Caymus is fine. It's just not $230 fine, especially when Jordan gives you a comparable steakhouse experience at a lower entry point on the same list.
Far Niente Chardonnay + Seafood Tower
Far Niente Chardonnay is rich and textured enough to stand up to the brine of a seafood tower — oysters, crab, shrimp — without getting steamrolled. It's a Napa white with enough body to handle the occasion and enough acidity to keep things lively across the full spread.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Born & Raised is a genuinely great steakhouse experience with a wine list that plays its lane perfectly — just don't expect discovery or value. Come for the beef, the views, and the Cab; leave your receipt face-down on the table.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.