Ranch 45
California Reds Meet Texas Prime Cuts
Westside · El Paso · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Ranch 45 reads like a greatest hits of California steakhouse staples — Jordan, Caymus, Silver Oak, Duckhorn. If you've eaten at any upscale chophouse in the last decade, you've seen this list before. That's not necessarily a knock; it's a list built to match big beef, and it does exactly that.
Selection Deep Dive
The 60-100 bottle list leans hard into Napa and Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which makes sense given the menu's DNA. Washington State gets some representation, adding a little range, but don't come here hunting for Burgundy, Barolo, or anything left of center. Producers like Jordan and Silver Oak Alexander Valley anchor the red selections with recognizable, crowd-friendly names. There's enough depth to satisfy a serious steak dinner, but adventurous wine drinkers will find the list plays it safe at every turn.
By the Glass
Ten to sixteen pours by the glass is a solid program for a steakhouse of this size. The glass options mirror the bottle list — California-forward, red-dominant, approachable. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here; this looks like a set-and-forget program rather than something a passionate wine person is curating month to month.
Arona Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2022 — $19
At essentially retail price, this is one of the few spots on the list where the restaurant isn't padding their margins. A crisp, high-acid white that cuts through butter-sauced dishes and doesn't cost you like a premium pour.
Chamisal Chardonnay 2022
Most guests at a steakhouse will ignore the Chardonnay entirely and order straight to the Cab. That's their loss. Chamisal makes a restrained, cool-climate Edna Valley Chard that's actually interesting — none of that flabby, over-oaked style. At $14 a glass, it's a smart opener while the steaks hit the table.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere for a reason — it's approachable, jammy, and requires zero thought. It's also marked up aggressively at nearly every restaurant in America, and Ranch 45 is unlikely to be the exception. You can do better on this list for less money, or order the Jordan if you want something in the same neighborhood with more actual structure.
Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon + Bone-in Kansas City Strip
Silver Oak Alexander Valley runs warmer and more approachable than its Napa counterpart — softer tannins, ripe dark fruit, a touch of vanilla from the American oak. Against a bone-in Kansas City strip with serious fat and char, it's a classic match that earns its reputation. This is the one time you're allowed to order the obvious thing.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Ranch 45 won't surprise you, but it won't let you down either — a reliable California-focused list priced fairly enough that you can order confidently alongside a serious steak. Send your friends here if they want a sure thing; send them somewhere else if they want to discover something new.
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