South Reno's Italian Night Done Right
South Reno · Reno · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 12, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Johnny's Ristorante Italiano’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 list arrives and it reads like someone actually thought about what Italian food wants to drink — there's Barbera, Dolcetto, Chianti Classico, and a French section that doesn't feel tacked on. For South Reno, this is a serious effort. It's not going to blow a wine nerd's mind, but it's not going to embarrass anyone either.
The Italian section earns its keep with regional classics — Barbera and Dolcetto for the acid-and-fruit crowd, Chianti Classico for the traditionalists. France shows up with some actual ambition: Mâcon-Villages, St.-Véran, and a Pouilly-Fuissé anchor the whites, while Bourgogne Rouge and the Beaujolais trio from Jadot, Drouhin, and Duboeuf round out a respectable French corner. California and the new world fill out the back half without overwhelming the whole thing, though Australian Chardonnay and a generic California Zinfandel feel more like filler than intention. The list runs 50-80 bottles, which is the right size — long enough to have options, short enough that someone's actually curating it.
With 10-16 pours available by the glass, there's enough range to navigate a full dinner without committing to a bottle. Expect the usual suspects — Pinot Grigio, a Sauvignon Blanc, probably the Duboeuf Beaujolais — but the presence of Mâcon-Villages or St.-Véran by the glass would be a genuine win. Rotation appears limited; don't expect a surprise addition week to week.
Mâcon-Villages — $45
White Burgundy at a neighborhood Italian spot is already a good sign. Mâcon-Villages gives you the Chardonnay experience without the Meursault price tag, and it's a natural fit alongside the saffron cream pasta or the petrale sole.
Dolcetto
Everyone reaches for Chianti, but Dolcetto is the move here — lower tannin, fresh cherry fruit, and enough acidity to cut through anything braised or sauced. Most tables walk right past it, which means more for you.
California Chardonnay
When there's a St.-Véran and a Pouilly-Fuissé on the same list, a generic California Chardonnay is the low-effort option. Skip it and put that money toward the French whites — you're at an Italian restaurant, not an airport lounge.
Chianti Classico + Osso Buco
Braised veal shank needs a wine with grip and acidity to cut through the richness, and Chianti Classico's Sangiovese delivers exactly that. It's the classic play for a reason.
The Bottom Line
Johnny's is the kind of reliable neighborhood Italian spot that actually respects wine — not flashy, not overpriced, and thoughtfully stocked for the food on the plate. Send a friend here and tell them to order Italian or French, skip the California filler, and enjoy the ride.
Downtown / Casino Row · Reno · Upscale American Steakhouse
Ruth's Chris Reno is a reliable, well-run steakhouse wine program inside a casino resort — competent glassware, proper storage, and a sommelier who knows the list cold. Just don't come here looking for discovery; come here knowing exactly what you want and prepared to pay full freight for it.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Reno · American small plates, tapas-style, steakhouse-influenced
Sierra St. Kitchen punches above its weight for downtown Reno — the list has real producers, genuine range, and a sommelier keeping it honest. Just know the markups are real, and steer toward the Old World and Pacific Northwest bottles where the value hides.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · Reno · Italian – Tuscan & Coastal
Calafuria isn't trying to be a destination wine list — it's trying to be the right wine list for this restaurant, and it mostly succeeds. Send your friends here if they want something Italian that doesn't feel phoned in; just don't expect fireworks beyond the bottle.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Northwest Reno · Reno · Health-focused American café with organic, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and paleo options
Great Full Gardens isn't a wine destination and it doesn't pretend to be — but for a health-focused café in Northwest Reno, the glass prices are honest and the pours are solid enough to enjoy alongside the food. Send a friend here for lunch, just don't tell them to order the Chardonnay.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown · Reno · New American / Fine Dining
LuLou's wine list won't win any awards, but it won't ruin your dinner either — and in a city where restaurant wine programs often feel like an afterthought, that counts for something. Send a friend here for a solid meal with a bottle of Jordan; just don't expect to discover anything new.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Eldorado Resort Casino · Reno · Californian / Steakhouse
Roxy isn't a destination wine program — it's a competent casino steakhouse list with the right bottles for the room. Show up on a Wednesday, order the Jordan at half price, and you'll leave happy.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Italian
Bici's wine list won't knock you sideways, but it's honest, Italian-focused, and fairly priced — a reliable partner to the food. We'd send a friend here and tell them to skip the Sauvignon Blanc and go straight for the Greco.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Parkway / Elks Plaza · Gatlinburg · Italian
The Best Italian's wine list does exactly what it needs to do: keep casual diners happy, not drain wallets, and get out of the way of the garlic knots. We wouldn't drive to Gatlinburg for the wine, but if you're already there and want something decent with dinner, you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Vail Village · Vail · Italian
La Nonna brings a legitimately serious Italian cellar to a town where most restaurants are content to coast on their ski-town captive audience — and that deserves real credit. The markups are steep across the board, but the bones of the list are strong enough that the right bottle makes the whole evening.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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