Congratulations to Steven McDonald of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, The MICHELIN Guide Texas 2024 Sommelier of the Year winner, presented in partnership with Franciacorta!
With around 100 restaurants (making it the largest family-owned restaurant group in the U.S.), Pappas Restaurants has become a household name in Texas. For nearly 30 years, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse has been a standout in the portfolio.
The fine dining spot features 35,000 bottles of wines chosen by Master Sommelier Steven McDonald. The wine list is truly impressive, featuring rising stars, top producers, and back vintage wines at excellent prices. McDonald leads an equally impressive team, many being Advanced or Certified Sommeliers, and all being friendly.
We spoke with him to learn how he picks new wines and what he’s drinking right now.
What’s your criteria for adding a new wine to your list?
“It just has to be delicious for what it’s supposed to be – for the money you’re going to pay for it. We were lucky that we can have and sell anything in any category. We have flexibility where we can get a whole bunch of things, but it just has to be delicious, exciting, resembling its category or its territory in some way. If it’s a cool story or has a social or climate impact, that’s always a plus.”