Fort Wayne's best-kept wine secret
Downtown · Fort Wayne · French-inspired bistro with Midwestern influence · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 26, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Bistro Nota is compact — 15 labels isn't a lot to work with — but the selections signal that someone here is paying attention. This isn't a restaurant that grabbed whatever the distributor was pushing; there's a real point of view, even if it's not fully built out yet. For downtown Fort Wayne, it's quietly punching above its weight class.
The list leans into Italian producers, specifically the Scarpetta portfolio from Friuli and Delle Venezie, which is a genuinely interesting choice for a French-inspired bistro in the Midwest. You've got a Pinot Grigio, a Cabernet Franc from Colli Orientali del Friuli, and a Spumante Brut Rosé — not names you stumble across at a chain steakhouse. The California side is represented by Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon from Paso Robles, which is a crowd-pleaser but a credible one. The gaps are real — no Burgundy, no Loire, no Spanish or South American options — but what's here has been chosen with intent, and the Scarpetta wine dinners they host suggest the kitchen and front-of-house are actively engaged with the list.
Eight to twelve options by the glass is a generous pour program for a list this size, which means most of what they carry is available without committing to a bottle. That's the right call for a neighborhood bistro where you might want a glass of bubbles before dinner and pivot to something red. Rotation isn't well-documented publicly, but the wine dinner programming hints at occasional updates tied to featured producers.
Scarpetta Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio — null
Scarpetta's Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio isn't your grocery store Pinot Grigio — it's a clean, mineral-driven pour from a producer that takes northern Italian whites seriously. In a room full of oaky Chardonnays and anonymous whites, this is the move. Price data wasn't confirmed, but at typical restaurant pricing for this tier, it's the smartest glass on the list.
Scarpetta Colli Orientali del Friuli Cabernet Franc
Most tables will walk right past a Friuli Cabernet Franc without a second look, which is their loss. Colli Orientali del Friuli is cooler-climate territory, and Cabernet Franc from that zone tends to be savory, herbal, and more structured than its New World counterparts — nothing like a jammy California red. It's an unusual and interesting bottle that most people at this restaurant won't order, which is exactly why you should.
Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon
Austin Hope is a perfectly fine Paso Robles Cab — big, ripe, reliable — but it's also widely distributed and easy to find at retail for considerably less than restaurant markup. It's the one wine on this list that feels like it was added for the table that just wants something familiar. Let someone else order it.
Scarpetta Spumante Brut Rosé Timido + Housemade desserts
A dry Spumante Brut Rosé has enough acidity and fine bubble to cut through rich, creamy desserts without turning cloying. At a bistro that makes its desserts from scratch, ending with a glass of Timido instead of a dessert wine is a sleeper move — it refreshes the palate while still feeling celebratory.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Bistro Nota isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the Scarpetta-forward list and producer dinner programming suggest real curiosity underneath a modest exterior. If you're in Fort Wayne and want a glass that wasn't chosen by algorithm, this is your table.
Downtown-adjacent / Near West · Fort Wayne · Italian market and deli
Antonuccio's isn't a restaurant wine program — it's something more interesting: a genuine Italian market where you can eat well and leave with better bottles than most Fort Wayne restaurants will ever pour you. Come for lunch, leave with a Chianti, zero regrets.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Northwest (Jefferson Pointe / Illinois Rd corridor) · Fort Wayne · Upscale American Steakhouse
Eddie Merlot's Fort Wayne is a reliably well-run steakhouse wine program — proper storage, real glassware, a sommelier on the floor, and enough pours by the glass to satisfy a full table. The list won't challenge you, and the markups will sting, but if you want a classic California Cab with your prime beef and you want it done right, this place delivers.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Jefferson Pointe · Fort Wayne · American – Gourmet Burgers & Pub Fare
BRU Burger Bar is genuinely great at what it does — burgers, fries, a cold beer. The wine list exists as an afterthought for guests who don't drink beer, and it should be treated accordingly. Order a craft draft, save the wine for somewhere that cares.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Jefferson Pointe / West Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne · Asian Fusion
Nawa is a fine place to eat; the wine list won't embarrass anyone, but it won't excite them either. Grab the Amarone or the Broquel Malbec, ignore the celebrity bottles, and let the food do the heavy lifting.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / West Central · Fort Wayne · American Tavern / Bar Food
Henry's is a bar that happens to take its wine list seriously enough to matter, and the Wednesday half-price deal is the kind of thing you should have already texted your friends about. Don't overthink it — show up, order the Belleruche, and feel good about your Wednesday.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Southwest Fort Wayne · Fort Wayne · Winery with American Grill / Bistro Fare
Vinland Reserve is the rare Indiana winery that earns a second look — barrel-aged hybrids, honest Bordeaux imports, and some of the most approachable pricing in the region. Wine Wednesday alone makes this worth adding to the rotation.
Surprising Depth
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.