The Capital Grille
Big List, Safe Bets, No Surprises
Downtown · Manchester · Fine Dining Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list arrives looking like a serious document — 350 labels is not a small commitment. African mahogany walls and Art Deco chandeliers set the stage for something grand, and the list mostly delivers on that visual promise. What it doesn't quite do is surprise you.
Selection Deep Dive
Three hundred fifty bottles sounds deep until you realize the list leans heavily California, from Russian River Pinot to Atlas Peak Cab, with a sommelier steering you toward the same reliable names you've seen on every upscale steakhouse list from here to Houston. Rombauer shows up twice, Orin Swift makes a predictable cameo, and Pahlmeyer's Jayson line anchors the prestige tier. It's well-curated for what it is — nobody's going home disappointed — but if you're hunting Old World depth or anything remotely off the beaten path, temper your expectations. This is a list built to close expense account dinners, not to challenge anyone.
By the Glass
By-the-glass specifics weren't disclosed on the public-facing menu, but a sommelier on staff means you're not left fumbling through the bottle list alone. Capital Grille runs a seasonal Generous Pour wine tasting event that suggests the glass program does rotate — just don't expect it to be a daily adventure.
J Vineyards & Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir — N/A
J Vineyards punches well above what most casual drinkers expect from the Russian River — it's a legitimate producer in a legitimate appellation, and at a steakhouse where the Cabs dominate the conversation, this Pinot tends to get overlooked. If the markup is even close to fair on this one, it's where your money goes.
The Language of Yes Central Coast "Les Fruits Rouges" Rosé
Nobody comes to a mahogany-paneled steakhouse thinking about rosé, which is exactly why this might be the smartest pour on the list. Central Coast fruit, a name most guests skip past — order it while everyone else argues about which Cabernet to get.
Jayson by Pahlmeyer "The Bench" Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon
Pahlmeyer is a real name and Atlas Peak is a real appellation, but Jayson is the entry-level label — and steakhouses charge flagship prices for it. You're paying for the Pahlmeyer reputation without getting the wine that built it.
Orin Swift "Advice from John" California Merlot + Bone-in dry-aged sirloin
Orin Swift builds wines to be immediate and plush, which makes "Advice from John" a natural match for the fat and char of a dry-aged sirloin. It's not a challenging pairing — but sometimes that's the whole point.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Capital Grille Manchester is a reliable destination for wine at a steakhouse: professional service, a sommelier who won't embarrass you, and a 350-label list that covers every base — just none of them adventurously. Send your out-of-town clients here without hesitation; send your wine-curious friend somewhere with more personality.
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