Market Steer Steakhouse
California classics done right in the desert
Downtown Santa Fe · Santa Fe · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 18, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Market Steer reads like a Greatest Hits of California Cabernet — Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Opus One all accounted for. It's the kind of list that makes a certain type of steak eater very happy and a natural wine nerd slightly less so. Confident, focused, and unapologetically classic.
Selection Deep Dive
This is a California-forward list with a clear thesis: big reds for big steaks. The 150-250 bottle range gives sommelier Max Schon enough room to work with, and the anchor producers — Ridge Monte Bello, Stag's Leap, Far Niente, Duckhorn — are legit. What's missing is any real adventurousness outside the California corridor; if you're hoping for aged Burgundy or something from the Rhône, temper your expectations. The list earned its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2025, and it's easy to see why — the execution within its lane is clean and deliberate.
By the Glass
With 12-20 glass pours at $12-$18, there's a solid range to work through before you commit to a bottle. The pricing is fair for the glass program relative to the bottle list. Expect the usual Cab and Chardonnay anchors — this isn't a by-the-glass program built for exploration, but it gets the job done for a night out.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $40-range
Jordan consistently punches above its price class — polished Alexander Valley fruit without the Napa ego markup. In a steakhouse lineup that trends toward triple-digit bottles, it's the smart order.
Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos
Nobody orders dessert wine at a steakhouse, which is exactly why you should. At $22 a pour, this Hungarian beauty is a genuine surprise on a list otherwise devoted to big California reds — and it makes the Prime Steak Tartare course stretch all the way to the end of the meal.
Opus One
A Napa icon, sure, but at a steakhouse in Santa Fe you're paying full trophy-wine pricing for something you could find anywhere. The markup on prestige bottles like this rarely makes sense when Jordan and Ridge are sitting right next to it on the list.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Prime Steak Tartare
Stag's Leap brings enough structure and dark cherry depth to hold up against raw beef without steamrolling it — the tannins are firm but not aggressive, which is exactly what tartare needs in a wine partner.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Market Steer is a reliable, well-curated steakhouse wine program that knows exactly what it is — a California Cabernet showcase with a knowledgeable sommelier and proper care behind it. Send your Cab-loving friends here without hesitation; just don't expect the list to surprise you.
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