The Sycamore Inn
Old-school California steak, California wine done right
Rancho Cucamonga · Rancho Cucamonga · American, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 10, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at The Sycamore Inn feels exactly like the room it lives in — warm, wood-paneled, and proudly Californian. This is a place that knows what it is: a classic steakhouse where Cabernet Sauvignon is the answer before you've even asked the question. Flip through the list and you'll find a greatest-hits roster of Napa names that reads like a celebration of the state's most iconic producers.
Selection Deep Dive
The focus here is California through and through, and the list leans hard into Napa Cab country with names like Caymus, Jordan, Silver Oak, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, and Beringer Private Reserve anchoring the reds. Duckhorn Merlot offers a soft landing for those not ready to commit to the big tannic bruisers, and Far Niente Chardonnay holds down the white wine end with some real credibility. Opus One makes an appearance for the splurge crowd, which feels right for a room with this much dark wood. What's missing is any real exploration outside California — no domestic breadth from Oregon or Washington, and international options appear to be an afterthought at best.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 12 to 20 options in the $10–$18 range, which gives you a workable selection for sipping while you wait on a prime cut. Expect the usual California suspects to dominate the pour list — this isn't a program that's rotating esoteric grapes by the glass. It gets the job done for a steakhouse crowd, but don't expect to be surprised.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $40–$60 range
Jordan consistently over-delivers for the price in a Napa Cab lineup — it's elegant where others bludgeon, and at a steakhouse that leans on big names, it's the smartest spend on the list.
Duckhorn Merlot
Everyone at a steakhouse is eyeing the Cabs, which means the Duckhorn Merlot gets overlooked — and that's a shame. It's a genuinely serious wine from one of Napa's best Merlot producers, and it tends to carry a softer markup than the Cabernet headliners.
Opus One
Yes, it's a landmark bottle, and yes, it belongs on a steakhouse list. But Opus One at restaurant markup — already a Napa premium price — means you're paying a steep premium for a name. Save it for the cellar at retail and spend that money on a better cut of beef instead.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon + Luigi's Minestrone Soup
Hear us out — the earthy, herb-driven depth of a Stag's Leap Cab finds an unexpected anchor in a bowl of minestrone. The tomato base and vegetables soften the wine's tannins while the Cab's structure gives the soup some backbone. It's a classic California pairing that works precisely because neither the wine nor the dish is trying too hard.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Sycamore Inn is a reliable, comfortable steakhouse wine list that earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence by doing California Cab very well — just don't come looking for adventure. If you want a great glass of Jordan or Silver Oak alongside a serious piece of beef, this place delivers without drama.
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