Draper Brothers Chophouse

The wine list at Draper Brothers Chophouse is exactly what you'd expect from a steakhouse operating out of a gorgeous 1867 landmark building on Capitol Square — heavy on California, proud of its Napa headliners, and built to make a ribeye feel like an occasion. It's not trying to surprise you, and mostly it doesn't. What it does do is give you reliable, crowd-pleasing options that will hold their own against a serious cut of beef.

The 150-250 bottle list reads like a California greatest hits compilation: Caymus, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Duckhorn, Jordan, Rombauer, Far Niente, Opus One — the names every steak lover recognizes and most restaurants use as a crutch. The focus is squarely on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with little apparent interest in exploring Burgundy, Rhône, or even domestic alternatives that might punch above their price point. There's nothing wrong with what's here, but the list doesn't venture far enough to earn genuine excitement. If you're hoping for an Italian red to match the menu's Italian-American identity, you'll be doing some squinting.

The by-the-glass program runs 12-20 options, which is a reasonable spread for a chophouse setting. Expect the usual Rombauer Chardonnay and a Cabernet or two from recognizable names — solid pours that match the room's energy without breaking any new ground. Rotation appears minimal, so don't count on seasonal surprises keeping the program fresh.