Red-sauce comfort with a decent Italian cellar
East Lancaster · Lancaster · Classic Italian and Italian-American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 18, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Lombardo's Italian Restaurant’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 Lombardo's feels like it was designed to complement the veal parm and never asked a harder question than that. It's competent, Italian-leaning, and deeply unsurprising — which, honestly, isn't the worst thing when you're here for the lasagna and a glass of something red.
The list sticks close to the Italian greatest hits: Tuscany, Veneto, and Piedmont get the most shelf space, which makes sense for a room full of chicken parm and pasta dishes. You'll find the usual suspects — Ruffino Chianti, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, and a Masi Amarone that climbs the price ladder fast. There's no adventurous detour into, say, Etna Rosso or Campanian whites, and producers outside the mainstream don't make an appearance. What's here works, but don't come expecting discovery.
The by-the-glass program likely runs six to twelve pours, leaning on crowd-pleasing Italian varieties — expect the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio to anchor the white side and a Chianti to hold down the reds. Rotation appears minimal, with a set-it-and-forget-it approach that prioritizes consistency over excitement. Fine for a Tuesday dinner, less exciting if you're hoping to find something new on a return visit.
Ruffino Chianti — $38
It's not a showstopper, but Ruffino Chianti is an honest, food-friendly red that holds up against the kitchen's tomato-forward dishes without demanding a lot from your wallet. In a list where the Amarone climbs steeply, this is your smart play.
Masi Amarone della Valpolicella
Most people at Lombardo's are ordering by the glass and calling it a night. But if you're splitting a bottle and the table is ordering something substantial — braised, meaty, slow-cooked — the Masi Amarone is a serious wine that most casual diners walk right past. It's dense, dried-fruit-driven, and built for exactly the kind of meal this kitchen turns out.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita is the most marked-up bottle in Italian restaurants across America, and Lombardo's is no exception. You're paying a significant premium for a name that stopped being interesting twenty years ago. There are better whites for your money if you push the server a little.
Masi Amarone della Valpolicella + Homemade Lasagna
Amarone's concentrated dark fruit and savory depth find a natural partner in a rich, layered lasagna — the wine's structure cuts through the fat and amplifies the meat without overwhelming it. It's a classic pairing for a reason.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Lombardo's won't expand your wine horizons, but it won't ruin your dinner either — order the Chianti, avoid the Santa Margherita markup, and let the kitchen do the heavy lifting. A solid neighborhood Italian that treats wine as a supporting character, not the main event.
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