Cozy Italian spot, wine list holds its own
Downtown · Bellingham · Casual Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 10, 2026
RagingWine reviewed D'Anna's Cafe Italiano’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at D'Anna's is short — 21 labels — but it's not lazy. Someone put actual thought into balancing Italian imports with Washington State bottles, which fits the room's cozy, family-run energy. It's not a list you linger over, but it doesn't embarrass the kitchen either.
The Italy-Washington axis is the right call for a casual Italian spot in the Pacific Northwest. You get Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio and a Barolo Riserva on the Italian side, while L'Ecole Syrah and Saviah Cellars Riesling fly the local flag. The gaps show up fast though — no Sangiovese, no Nebbiolo outside that one Barolo, and the Southern Hemisphere representation is a lone New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and an Argentine Malbec. It's a list built for the regulars who just want something familiar and honest, not for explorers.
Ten pours by the glass on a 21-bottle list is a solid ratio — nearly half the cellar is accessible without committing to a bottle. Prices run $8–$13 a glass, which is fair for downtown Bellingham. We'd like to see more rotation, but what's here covers the bases: a Prosecco, a white, a red, and a few stops in between.
Saviah Cellars Riesling — $8/glass
Washington Riesling from a producer that actually knows what it's doing — Saviah is no grocery store label. At $8 a glass alongside a plate of homemade pasta, this is the move.
L'Ecole Syrah
Most people ordering Italian food default to red blends or Malbec, but L'Ecole's Syrah is a Walla Walla overachiever that brings dark fruit and some savory grip — more interesting than anything else on the red side of this list, and most diners walk right past it.
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc
At $44 a bottle, you're paying restaurant markup on a wine you can grab at most grocery stores for well under $15. It's fine, but 'fine' at that markup isn't a win.
Tiefenbrunner Pinot Grigio + Fettuccine Alfredo
Alto Adige Pinot Grigio has enough acidity to cut through a butter-heavy cream sauce without steamrolling the dish. Tiefenbrunner is one of the better names in that region, and next to a bowl of Fettuccine Alfredo, it does exactly what it's supposed to do.
✔️ The Bottom Line
D'Anna's wine list is a reliable companion to a genuinely good casual Italian meal — no fireworks, but no embarrassments either. If you're in the neighborhood, drink the L'Ecole Syrah and stop overthinking it.
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The Admiralty Lounge isn't a wine destination, but it's doing more with a short list than most bars in its class — half-price bottles at happy hour and actual Sherry on the menu are the kind of moves that earn goodwill. Come for the cocktails, stay for the Fino.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Bellingham · Seafood / Oyster Bar
Roe isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — the list is fair, the pricing is reasonable, and if you know to order the Riesling, you're eating and drinking well on the water. Send a friend here for oysters; just don't send them expecting a deep cellar.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lummi Island (regional destination) · Bellingham · Fine Dining / Farm-to-Table
The Willows Inn is as serious about wine as it is about the 14 ingredients it sourced from within a mile of your table. You're paying destination prices across the board, but the list delivers at that level — this is a once-in-a-while splurge that earns it.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Bellingham · Brewpub / American pub fare
Aslan Depot shouldn't have a wine list this good, and yet here we are. If you're in Bellingham and want natural wines in a no-fuss setting, this is the move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Bellingham · New American / Wood-Fired Seasonal
Carnal is doing something genuinely rare in Bellingham: a tight, adventurous wine list that matches the ambition of the kitchen. It's not deep, but it's honest — and for a 17-bottle list, that's more than enough reason to trust it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Bellingham · Pizza
Come to La Fiamma for the wood-fired pizza and the vibe — both are worth it. Come for the wine and you'll be disappointed. Order a cocktail or a beer and revisit when they decide the list deserves the same care as the kitchen.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Mall del Norte Area · Laredo · Casual Italian
The wine program here is a placeholder, not a feature — a chain-mandated afterthought designed to upsell, not impress. Drink the Chianti Classico if you must order a bottle, but nobody's coming to Olive Garden Laredo for the wine list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Galleria at Sunset · Henderson · Casual Italian
BRAVO! Henderson won't make any wine lover's shortlist, but it delivers exactly what it promises — fair prices, approachable pours, and a list that doesn't embarrass itself next to a plate of Chicken Parm. Send your family here; just don't send your wine-obsessed friend.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Spotsylvania Towne Centre · Fredericksburg · Casual Italian
Bravo! is a perfectly acceptable place to eat a bowl of pasta and drink a perfectly acceptable glass of wine — just don't come here expecting the list to surprise you. Order the Chianti, enjoy your Chicken Parm, and save the wine geek conversation for another night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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