Denver's Piemonte Pilgrimage with 450+ Italian Bottles
Cherry Creek · Denver · Northern Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Barolo Grill’s wine list and gave it The Rager — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list arrives like a leather-bound novel—over 100 pages, 450+ selections, and it's 95% Italian. This is what happens when someone takes Piemonte seriously in Denver. The sheer depth in Barolo and Barbaresco alone could stock a small enoteca.
The heart of this list beats in Piemonte: verticals from Gagliardo, Sottimano, Cigliuti, and even a 1995 Palladino Barolo sitting quietly in the cellar. But it doesn't stop there—Timorasso from Mandirola 1913, Langhe Riesling from G.D. Vajra, Super Tuscans like Ornellaia's Serre Nuove. The range covers every major Italian region with the kind of producer selection that shows someone actually travels to these vineyards. A sommelier clearly runs this program, and they've built something rare: a list that rewards both deep knowledge and curious exploration.
The 15-20 glass pours lean heavily Italian, as they should. We spotted the Toscana Bianco 'Vistamare' from Ca'Marcanda 2023 and the Langhe Riesling from Vajra 2023 on rotation—smart picks that show range beyond the expected Chianti and Pinot Grigio. The glass program rotates seasonally but doesn't chase trends; it supports the food.
Langhe Riesling G.D. Vajra 2023 — $60
Alpine-fresh Riesling from one of Barolo's best producers—this is what happens when Piemonte does white wine right, and it's priced like a regional bottle, not a unicorn
Timorasso 'Derthona' Mandirola 1913 2022
Most people skip Timorasso because they've never heard of it—mineral-driven white from Piemonte's hills that drinks like aged white Burgundy at half the price and ego
Super Tuscan 'Serre Nuove' Tenuta dell'Ornellaia 2021
It's the baby brother of one of Tuscany's cult wines, but you're paying for the Ornellaia name—there are better Super Tuscans on this list for less
Barbaresco 'Serraboella' Cigliuti 2014 + Braised Duck with Kalamata Olives
The earthy, truffle-laced tannins of aged Barbaresco meet slow-cooked duck fat and briny olives—this is textbook Piemonte on a plate
The Bottom Line
If you care about Italian wine beyond the basics, Barolo Grill is non-negotiable in Denver. The list is deep, the staff knows it, and the pricing respects your wallet. This is a destination, not a backup plan.
· Denver · Steakhouse
STK Denver is a place where wine exists to support a vibe, not to excite a drinker. If you're here for the scene and the steak, grab a glass of Bonanza at happy hour and call it a night — but don't come expecting the wine list to be part of the experience.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Denver · Denver · American, Steakhouse
Range is a confident, well-kept steakhouse list that won't surprise you but absolutely won't let you down — especially if California Cabs are your language. Just come in with your eyes open on pricing, and let Dan steer you toward the Jordan.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Cherry Creek · Denver · American, Seafood
Salt Water Social plays it safe with wine but plays it well — California classics at fair prices, with a Wednesday half-price night that makes it a genuine weekly option. No one's discovering anything new here, but you won't be disappointed either.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Denver · Denver · Regional Steakhouse
Urban Farmer is a solid, no-drama wine stop for anyone who loves California Cab and wants a proper glass with a well-cooked steak. It won't surprise you, but it won't disappoint you either — and in Denver's steakhouse scene, that's worth something.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
LoDo · Denver · Mediterranean, Spanish
Rioja earned its Wine Spectator nod, and then some — a Spanish wine list this focused and this well-stocked is rare anywhere, let alone Denver. If Spain is your thing, or you want it to become your thing, this is the room.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Denver · Denver · Italian
Restaurant Olivia is the kind of neighborhood Italian spot that quietly holds a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and earns it without making a fuss about it. Send your friends who think Denver can't do wine right — this list will change the conversation.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Back Bay · Boston · Northern Italian
Start with the $65 Ceretto white or $70 Borgoluce bubbles. For Barolo in a smaller format, ask about the $95 Paolo Scavino half bottle. These are posted-menu choices checked in September 2026, not an onsite tasting or assessment of service.
Mount Vernon · Baltimore · Northern Italian
Try Lavignone at $14 a glass or compare a $52 bottle if everyone wants the same red. Sotto Sopra makes that budget decision straightforward. Prices come from the posted menu checked in September 2026; availability can change, and this guide doesn't rate service or cellar conditions.
· Ithaca · Northern Italian
Mercato is a well-regarded local staple with the right regional instincts — Italian roots, Finger Lakes ambition, and a warm room that earns its reservations. We'd feel comfortable sending a friend here for a solid bottle of wine with dinner, but we'd tell them to ask questions at the table, because we can't yet confirm the specifics behind the list. Worth a visit; worth a deeper look once a full wine list is in hand.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
