Wine shop attached — yes, really.
Dayton · Dayton · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 30, 2026
Wingman Metrics
A casual American grill with a full wine shop attached to it — that's not something you see every day on the north side of Dayton. The list reads like it was curated by someone who actually spends time in the shop next door, which is a good sign. California is clearly the focus and they're not apologizing for it.
The list runs 150-250 bottles deep and leans hard into California, which checks out given the wine shop connection. You've got the heavy hitters — Caymus, Jordan, Stag's Leap, Beringer Private Reserve — all present and accounted for, and the Duckhorn Merlot adds a nice counterweight to the Cab-heavy roster. It's not a globe-trotting list by any stretch, but within its lane it's well-executed. Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence since 2022 confirms this isn't a neglected afterthought.
Twenty to thirty-five options by the glass is genuinely impressive for a casual grill in Dayton — most comparable spots give you six and call it a day. Pricing runs $8-$18 a glass, which keeps things accessible. We'd like to see a bit more rotation, but the range is there.
Duckhorn Merlot — $30–$50 (bottle range)
Duckhorn Merlot is a legitimately serious wine that often gets overlooked because everyone's chasing Cabs. At the lower end of their bottle pricing, it's the kind of pour that makes you look smart at the table.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Stag's Leap built its reputation on beating the French at their own game in 1976, but most people at a casual grill just grab the Caymus out of habit. This is the more interesting bottle.
Rombauer Chardonnay
Rombauer is a fine wine, but it's also the default order for anyone who learned about Chardonnay from a food magazine in 2015. The markup on crowd-pleaser whites like this tends to be where restaurants get you — spend a few dollars more and find something with a little more personality on this list.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon + Grilled Ribeye Steak
Jordan is a classic Alexander Valley Cab — structured but not a bruiser, with enough fruit to stand up to a well-marbled ribeye without steamrolling the char on the grill. It's the kind of pairing that makes both the wine and the steak taste better.
🎲 The Bottom Line
A wine shop attached to a steakhouse is exactly as good an idea as it sounds, and Ray's has the list to back it up. If California Cabs and a relaxed atmosphere are your Friday night, there's no better spot in Dayton.
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