Finger Lakes First, and Rightfully So
Downtown / Aurora Street · Ithaca · Farm-to-Table / New American
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 22, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Coltivare’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 Coltivare feels like it was built by someone who actually eats the food here — local Finger Lakes producers up front, some Italian and French depth behind them, and no obvious filler. It's not a long list, but it's an honest one. You can tell this place cares more about what's in the glass than how many labels it can cram onto a laminated page.
The Finger Lakes representation is the clear strength — Riesling from producers like Ravines and Red Newt anchors the list, which makes total sense given Coltivare is sitting in the middle of one of the best Riesling regions in North America. Beyond that, there's a workable Italian presence that echoes the farm-to-table ethos of the kitchen, plus some French and California options for the guests who won't venture off the beaten path. The list tops out around 80 labels, which is enough to have a real conversation without becoming overwhelming. The gaps show up in the red wine depth — there's range, but don't come looking for serious Burgundy or aged Barolo.
The by-the-glass program runs 8 to 16 options depending on the season, with prices landing between $10 and $16 — reasonable for the market and the quality level. We'd expect at least one Finger Lakes Riesling on pour at any given time, which should be non-negotiable for a restaurant of this pedigree and location. Rotation isn't aggressive, but the picks feel deliberate rather than default.
Ravines Wine Cellars Dry Riesling — $42
Ravines is one of the Finger Lakes' most consistent producers, and landing their Dry Riesling at this price point — steps from where it's grown — is the kind of value you can't manufacture. This is why you come to Ithaca.
Red Newt Cellars Riesling
Red Newt doesn't get the same name recognition as some Finger Lakes peers, but their Riesling is serious wine at a non-serious price. Most tables walk past it for something they already know — their loss.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
Any generic California Cab on a list like this is there for the guest who won't try anything new. The markup on these crowd-pleaser bottles rarely reflects the quality, and you're in Finger Lakes country — there's no reason to default to the predictable pick.
Ravines Wine Cellars Dry Riesling + House-made pasta with roasted local vegetables
The Riesling's bright acidity and restrained fruit cut through the richness of house pasta while matching the earthy, seasonal character of whatever vegetables just came off the farm. It's a local story told in two courses.
The Bottom Line
Coltivare isn't trying to be a wine destination, but its Finger Lakes focus and fair pricing make it a genuinely good place to drink local. Send your out-of-town friends here — they'll leave with a new appreciation for New York Riesling.
South Hill / Elmira Road corridor · Ithaca · Steakhouse
Texas Roadhouse Ithaca is not a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — the list is short, the producers are supermarket-tier, and the markups on house pours are quietly aggressive. Come for the bread and the steak; if you need wine, order one glass and make peace with it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown / The Commons · Ithaca · Irish pub, Irish-American gastropub
Kilpatrick's is never going to make a wine list worth traveling to Ithaca for, but it's a fair, unpretentious pour program that respects your wallet and quietly sneaks in a Pouilly-Fuissé and a proper Hugel Riesling. Come for the shepherd's pie, stay for the Alsace.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / State Street · Ithaca · Cocktail Bar
The Watershed is a cocktail bar that accidentally has a decent wine list, and we mean that as a compliment. If you're in Ithaca and want a low-key glass of something thoughtfully chosen without paying downtown Manhattan prices, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West End / State Street · Ithaca · Wine Shop & Tasting Room
The Falls Wine Room is the kind of neighborhood spot that makes you realize how low the bar usually is — thoughtful list, honest prices, and a genuine point of view on what wine should be. If you're in Ithaca and you care even a little about what's in your glass, you owe this place a visit.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Downtown / Aurora Street · Ithaca · Fine Dining / International
Mahogany Grill is a fine restaurant that hasn't extended that care to its wine program — the list is mass-market, the Finger Lakes is a ghost, and the fine dining pricing makes it sting. Order the shrimp cocktail, drink the Bully Hill, and temper your expectations.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East State Street / East Hill · Ithaca · Italian (Tuscan-inspired, inventive Italian)
Gola is punching well above its weight class for an Ithaca side street — the Italian regional depth here would hold up at a serious wine bar in any major city. If you're driving through the Finger Lakes and think you're just stopping for dinner, plan to stay a while.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Center Street / Downtown · Healdsburg · Farm-to-Table / New American
Barndiva is doing the right things: a sommelier on staff, proper storage, and a list that genuinely reflects where it lives. The markups keep it from being a steal, but if you're in Healdsburg for a special dinner and want to drink local without thinking too hard, this is your room.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Heavenly Village / Base Area · South Lake Tahoe · Farm-to-Table / New American
Maggie's isn't going to make a wine person drive up from the Bay Area, but for a ski-base hotel restaurant it punches well above its weight — fair markups, considered pours, and a list that treats guests like adults. If you're already at Heavenly Village, you're in good hands.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lower Thames · Newport · Farm-to-Table / New American
TSK is quietly one of the better wine lists in Newport, which is a town that doesn't exactly set a high bar — but this one would hold its own in most cities. If you're eating farm-to-table food and want a bottle that actually matches the kitchen's ethos, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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