Stockton's neighborhood spot that drinks well
Brookside / Ben Holt · Stockton · Italian / New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Mezzo reads like a well-curated California greatest hits — familiar names, approachable prices, nothing that's going to intimidate the Brookside crowd. It matches the room: polished without being pretentious, comfortable without being lazy. For Stockton, this is genuinely one of the better wine programs you're going to find.
The list leans heavily California, with Sonoma and Napa doing most of the heavy lifting on the white side — Rombauer Carneros, Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast, and Ferrari-Carano Sonoma Chardonnay cover a nice quality arc from crowd-pleasing to actually interesting. The sparkling section punches above its weight for a neighborhood Italian spot, ranging from the Avissi Prosecco NV all the way up to Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut. Red selections aren't detailed in the available data, which is a gap worth noting. Italy beyond the Veneto bubbly section appears thin, which feels like a missed opportunity given the menu's Italian roots.
Exact by-the-glass counts aren't published in a way we could confirm, but the sparkling program alone gives drinkers solid options — Chandon splits and Roederer Estate 375mls signal they're thinking about how people actually want to drink. If the Chardonnay lineup makes it to the glass pour list, that Patz & Hall is the one to ask about first.
Roederer Estate Brut (375ml) — null
Anderson Valley Champagne-method bubbles from one of California's most serious sparkling producers, in a half-bottle format that's perfect for two people starting dinner without committing to a full bottle. Roederer Estate consistently outperforms its price point.
Patz & Hall Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2021
Most tables at a place like this are reaching for the Rombauer — and Rombauer is fine. But Patz & Hall's Sonoma Coast bottling is the more interesting wine: tighter, more coastal, actually expresses where it's from. The crowd skips it and that's their loss.
Kylie Minogue 'Pink' Prosecco, Venice NV
Celebrity wine that's riding on name recognition. Nothing technically wrong with it, but you're paying for the branding on a bottle that's built for Instagram, not your palate. The Avissi Prosecco NV is right there and will serve you better.
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay, Sonoma 2023 + Salmone Arrosto
Ferrari-Carano's Sonoma Chardonnay has enough body and subtle oak to stand up to roasted salmon without steamrolling it. The wine's stone fruit and light creaminess echo the richness of the fish — this is exactly what the pairing was made for.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Mezzo isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's doing the work to be a reliable one — solid California producers, a smart sparkling section, and prices that won't ruin the night. Send your friends here knowing the wine won't let them down.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.