Courtside Steakhouse
A Marriott cellar that earns its keep
Sanibel Harbour · Fort Myers · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
A 1,200-bottle cellar inside a Marriott resort sounds like it could go either way, and honestly, it leans more right than wrong. The list skews heavily Californian and confident, with real bottles that serious drinkers will recognize. It's not a destination wine program, but it's trying harder than most hotel restaurants bother to.
Selection Deep Dive
California is the undisputed headliner here — Napa Cabs, Sonoma, Central Coast — with Italy making a decent supporting appearance via a Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo and La Marca Prosecco. The Champagne side is thin but present, anchored by Dom Perignon at the top of the price ladder. What's notably absent is any real depth in Burgundy, Rhône, Spain, or anything from the Southern Hemisphere — if you like drinking outside the California comfort zone, you'll hit a wall fast. The Prisoner and Orin Swift Machete on the list signals this wine program is built for guests who like bold, approachable reds, not for people chasing terroir.
By the Glass
Glass pours run $10–$23 and span sparkling, white, and red, which is a reasonable spread for a hotel steakhouse. The La Marca Prosecco at $18 for a split is a clean, crowd-friendly opener. We'd love to see more rotation and a few higher-stakes pours by the glass, but what's here covers the bases without embarrassing anyone.
Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo — $140
Tortoniano is a serious, well-regarded Barolo from one of Piedmont's reliable producers — at $140, it's still marked up but represents the best intersection of quality and value on this list. Next to a $450 Caymus Special Selection or $475 Dom, it quietly delivers far more per dollar.
Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo
Most tables here will reflexively reach for the Caymus or The Prisoner. The Barolo is the smarter move — structured tannins, dried cherry, tar, and rose, and it actually has something interesting to say alongside the beef.
Caymus Special Selection Napa Valley
At $450, you're paying a punishing resort markup on a wine that retails around $120–$140. Caymus Special Selection is a genuinely good bottle, but not at three-plus times retail. You can drink a lot better on this list for less.
Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo + Rack of Lamb
Barolo and lamb is a classic for a reason — the wine's firm tannins and earthy depth cut through the fat and match the gamey richness of the meat. Skip the Cab on this one and let the Nebbiolo do the heavy lifting.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Courtside Steakhouse won't win any awards for adventurous curation, but a 1,200-bottle cellar with real producers and proper storage is nothing to dismiss inside a resort setting. Come for the steak, steer toward the Barolo, and manage your expectations on pricing.
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