Italian Muscle Cars in a Posh Houston Room
River Oaks · Houston · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed La Griglia’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 La Griglia arrives with some weight to it — 250-plus bottles skewing hard toward Italy, which is exactly what you want when you're sitting under colorful murals in one of Houston's splashiest Italian dining rooms. Wine Spectator handed them an Award of Excellence in 2024, and you can see why the moment you hit the Piedmont section. This is not a list that's phoning it in.
Piedmont and Tuscany run the show here, and they run it well — Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello di Montalcino, and a Super Tuscan lineup that includes Sassicaia and Tignanello, which are the names people actually want to see. Producers like Gaja and Antinori anchor the Italian side with serious credibility. California gets its corner too, led by the crowd-favorite duo of Caymus and Silver Oak Cabernet — predictable choices, sure, but they sell for a reason and they're here if you need them. The list doesn't stray far from its Italian-Californian lane, so if you're hunting for Burgundy or Rioja, you may feel a little stranded.
With 20-35 by-the-glass options, La Griglia isn't stingy about letting you explore without committing to a bottle. The glass program likely pulls from both the Italian and California strengths of the broader list, giving you a real shot at finding something worthwhile for a solo pour. We'd love to see more rotation and seasonal programming here — the program feels solid but a bit static.
Chianti Classico Riserva — $45
Entry point into serious Tuscan Sangiovese without the Brunello price tag — this is the bottle that lets you eat well and drink well on the same ticket.
Barbaresco
Everyone reaches for the Barolo, but Barbaresco often delivers the same Nebbiolo complexity with a little more finesse and, frequently, a friendlier price point — don't sleep on it.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles on any restaurant list in America. You're paying a premium for a label everyone already knows — the Italian side of this list has far more interesting options at a better relative value.
Sassicaia + Wild Boar Chop
A bold Super Tuscan built on Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc needs something equally assertive — the gamey, rich wild boar chop is exactly that match, and this is the kind of pairing that makes you remember a dinner.
✔️ The Bottom Line
La Griglia is a genuinely reliable wine destination for Italian-focused bottles in Houston, with real sommelier support and a list that earns its Wine Spectator credential. The markups keep it from being a true Rager, but if you navigate toward the Italian side and away from the celebrity California labels, you can drink very well here.
Montrose · Houston · French
The Marigold Club is Houston's most interesting new wine room for anyone who thinks Champagne is a food group and France is the only country that matters — in the best possible way. Go on a Sunday, order the Delamotte, eat the Duck Wellington, and tip generously.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Houston · Houston · American, Italian
Milton's is the kind of neighborhood trattoria that surprises you — the room says casual pasta night, the wine list quietly whispers Biondi-Santi. If you care about Italian wine and you're in Houston, it's worth a reservation just to explore the bottle list.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montrose · Houston · Italian
Marmo is hiding a legitimately serious Italian wine program behind a piano bar and a plate of hand-rolled pasta — and that's exactly what makes it worth seeking out. Send a friend here if they think Houston Italian restaurants don't take wine seriously; this list will change their mind.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Houston · Houston · Mexican (Oaxacan)
Xochi is doing something genuinely rare: running a serious Mexican wine program inside a serious restaurant, with a sommelier who knows the material and a list that earns its Wine Spectator credential. Send your adventurous friends here and tell them to skip the Cab.
Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Houston · Houston · Steak house
Taste of Texas is a Houston institution that takes its California Cabernet seriously — 30 years of Wine Spectator recognition backs that up. It's not a destination wine list, but if you're here for a steak and want a proper bottle to go with it, you won't leave disappointed.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Houston · Houston · American
State of Grace is a reliable, well-run wine program anchored by a knowledgeable sommelier and a list that respects both the food and the guest's wallet. If you want a neighborhood spot in Houston where the wine won't let you down, this is a safe and satisfying call.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown Solvang · Solvang · Italian
Cecco isn't a destination for the wine list, but it's not an afterthought either. If you're in Solvang and want a solid glass of local Sangiovese with a wood-fired pizza without overthinking it, this place has you covered.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Aspen · Italian
Campo de Fiori is a solid Italian wine list in a loud, fun Aspen room — dependable producers, Italian focus, no major embarrassments. Just know that Aspen markups are real, and you'll want to navigate toward the mid-tier bottles where the value actually lives.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Sedona · Sedona · Italian
Bella Vita isn't a destination wine list, but it's a respectable one — fairly priced, Italian-forward, with enough smart choices to reward the curious diner. If you're in Sedona and want honest Italian food with a glass of Chianti Classico that won't cost you a red rock tour, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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