Solid Italian night out, California pours included
Cheat Lake · Morgantown · Italian (casual, contemporary) · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Cafe Oliverio’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Cafe Oliverio reads like it was built to please the room — and honestly, it mostly does. It's California-forward, approachable, and priced for a night out rather than a deep dive. Nothing here is going to surprise you, but nothing's going to embarrass you either.
The list leans hard into California, with Paso Robles and Napa anchoring the bottle selection. Caymus and Austin Hope are the headliners — crowd favorites that show up on lists like this everywhere from Charleston to Columbus. The Quilt Red Blend fills in the middle ground for guests who want something recognizable without committing to a single varietal. There's no real Old World presence to speak of, no Italian wine program to match the Italian kitchen, which feels like a missed opportunity for a place flying the Oliverio's flag.
Eight to fourteen options by the glass is a respectable spread for a casual neighborhood spot, and the $9–$15 price range keeps things accessible. The pours track with the bottle list — California dominant, built for familiarity. Rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here, so don't expect seasonal surprises.
Quilt Red Blend — $35–$45
It's a well-made, fruit-forward California blend that over-delivers at the lower end of their bottle pricing. Good for a table that can't agree on a single varietal.
Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon
Most people at this table are ordering Caymus on autopilot, but Austin Hope out of Paso Robles is the more interesting bottle — richer, slightly more structured, and priced competitively for what it is.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
At $90 or wherever it lands on this list, Caymus is reliably overpriced everywhere it appears. It's a fine wine but a bad value — you're paying for the label. Grab the Austin Hope instead.
Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon + Classic Oliverio's-style Italian pasta
A rich, meaty tomato-based pasta can take on a big Paso Robles Cab without getting steamrolled. The wine's dark fruit and soft tannins play well against a hearty red sauce.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Cafe Oliverio is a genuinely fun spot — live music, good food, lively crowd — and the wine list is serviceable without being memorable. Send your friends here for a great Italian dinner; just manage expectations on the wine front and steer them toward the Austin Hope.
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