Minerva's
South Dakota's Classic Steak and Cab Play
Downtown · Sioux Falls · Steakhouse
Reviewed April 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Minerva's reads exactly like you'd expect from a Sioux Falls institution that's been feeding expense accounts and anniversary dinners for decades. Big Napa names, a few safe French nods, and nothing that's going to surprise you — but nothing that's going to embarrass you either. It's a list built for confidence, not curiosity.
Selection Deep Dive
The bones here are California-heavy: Stag's Leap, Jordan, Duckhorn, Rombauer — the hits that steak-and-tie-crowd regulars reach for without thinking twice. Washington State gets a seat at the table, and there's a Burgundy presence that suggests someone on staff has at least heard of the Old World. At 80–150 bottles, the list has real size, but it skews predictable — you're not finding a grower Champagne or a Willamette Pinot hiding in the back pages. If you love Napa Cab with your prime rib, you're going to feel right at home.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 12–20 options, which is respectable for a mid-sized steakhouse in this market. Expect the usual suspects: Rombauer Chardonnay is almost certainly poured by the glass and almost certainly moving at volume. Rotation appears limited — this isn't a list that changes with the seasons.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — null
Jordan is one of the most reliably over-delivered Cab buys in California — elegant, food-friendly, and almost always priced more reasonably than the bigger Napa cult bottles on a list like this. Against a filet mignon, it earns its keep.
Duckhorn Merlot
Merlot gets skipped constantly at steakhouses because everyone's reaching for Cab, but Duckhorn's Napa Merlot is serious wine — structured, plush, and genuinely interesting. Order it with the prime rib and feel smug about it.
Whispering Angel Rosé
Whispering Angel is fine wine sold almost entirely on brand recognition and a pretty bottle — and steakhouse markup turns 'fine' into 'expensive fine.' Save this one for a summer patio, not a Sioux Falls winter dinner.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Filet Mignon
Stag's Leap built its reputation on being the kind of Napa Cab that doesn't bludgeon you — it's refined, with enough structure to stand up to red meat without steamrolling the tenderness of a filet. This is the call.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Minerva's wine list is exactly what a long-running steakhouse institution should be: dependable, Cab-forward, and good enough for the occasion. Just don't expect discovery — come here to drink well, not to explore.
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