Stirrups at World Equestrian Center
Six Thousand Bottles Deep in Horse Country
World Equestrian Center · Ocala · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
A 29-page wine list lands on the table and for a moment you forget you're in Ocala, Florida. Six thousand bottles, a dedicated sommelier, and a cellar that has earned Stirrups recognition among the world's best restaurant wine programs — this is not a resort afterthought. It's the real deal, and it hits you immediately.
Selection Deep Dive
The list is anchored in Napa Valley and Burgundy, which makes sense for a steakhouse clientele that knows what they want and is willing to pay for it. Heavy hitters like Opus One, Stag's Leap Cask 23, Chateau Margaux, and Caymus show up alongside more food-friendly picks like Jordan Cabernet and Duckhorn Merlot, giving the list both trophy appeal and practical depth. Far Niente Chardonnay is a smart white anchor — it earns its place next to a lobster bisque. If there's a gap, it's that the list skews heavily toward the familiar power players; adventurous drinkers hunting for grower Champagne or left-field Italian producers may come up short.
By the Glass
An estimated 20 to 40 by-the-glass options at $16 to $30 per pour is a strong program for a resort steakhouse — enough range to work through a meal without committing to a bottle. The sommelier on staff means the glass pours aren't just whatever the distributor pushed that week. Expect the selection to rotate seasonally, which keeps things interesting if you're a regular.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $60+
Jordan is the quietly confident choice on a list full of showboats. It drinks well above its price point relative to its neighbors here, and it has the structure to stand up to a Prime Ribeye without demanding your full attention or your full wallet.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at this table is ordering Cabernet, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked every single night. That's a mistake. It's a serious wine with the weight and plush texture to match wagyu beef, and it won't come with the same sticker shock as the Napa Cab headliners.
Opus One
Opus One is a fine wine that's been on every upscale steakhouse list since 1990, and it will be marked up accordingly here. You're paying for the brand recognition more than anything else — and at a resort property, that premium gets stacked. The money is better spent elsewhere on this list.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cask 23 + Dry-Aged Porterhouse
Cask 23 is built for exactly this moment. The wine's iron-and-black-fruit intensity matches the funky depth of a dry-aged porterhouse, and the structure holds through every bite. This is the pairing that justifies the whole evening.
🔥 The Bottom Line
Stirrups is the rare resort restaurant where the wine program is the actual draw, not just a supporting act. The markups sting, but when you're sitting in front of a 6,000-bottle list with a knowledgeable sommelier at your side, you're getting what you paid for.
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