Sioux Falls' Steakhouse Standard, Wine Included
Downtown · Sioux Falls · Upscale American Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 20, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Minervas reads exactly like you'd expect from a polished downtown steakhouse in the middle of the country — safe, familiar, and built for consensus. Nothing here is going to surprise you, and honestly, that's probably the point. It's a list designed to get out of the way of a ribeye.
The selection leans heavily on California workhorses — Sean Minor, J. Lohr, Sterling — with a few international ringers like Sileni from New Zealand and Portillo Malbec from Argentina filling out the globe-trotting middle section. There's a Gustav Schmitt Riesling lurking in there, which is a small but welcome nod to Old World white wine drinkers. What's missing is any real depth: no aged bottles, no interesting appellations, no small producers doing anything worth talking about. It's a greatest-hits album you've heard a hundred times before.
The by-the-glass program is anchored by house pours — a Chardonnay, Cab, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and White Zin that tell you everything you need to know about the target audience. Step up slightly and you're looking at the Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio or the Sean Minor '4 Bears' Chardonnay, which at least have a label to their name. Don't expect much rotation — this list has the energy of something printed once and laminated.
J. Lohr 'Seven Oaks' Cabernet Sauvignon — null
J. Lohr's Seven Oaks is a reliably solid Central Coast Cab that retails around $15-18 — it's the best bang-for-your-buck pick on this list and a natural match for their hand-cut steaks. Price wasn't confirmed in our data, but it's the one to ask about.
Gustav Schmitt Riesling
Nobody at a steakhouse is ordering Riesling, and that's a shame. A German Riesling's bright acidity and slight sweetness is actually a killer move against rich, buttery seafood dishes — and it'll stand out in a sea of Cab orders.
19 Crimes Red Blend
19 Crimes is a marketing machine dressed up as a wine brand. It's ubiquitous, it's aggressively average, and at steakhouse markup it's genuinely not worth it. There are better reds on this list for the same or less.
Portillo Malbec + In-house aged steak
Portillo is a bright, fruit-forward Argentine Malbec that punches above its price point. Set it against one of Minervas' dry-aged cuts and the wine's plum and dark cherry notes play well against the char and fat. It's the most interesting red on the list and it earns its keep here.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Minervas is a dependable night out — great steaks, classic room, wine list that won't embarrass anyone but won't impress them either. If you're in Sioux Falls and want beef and a bottle without much drama, this works. Just don't come expecting discovery.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.