Classic Italian Comfort With a Decent Bottle
Telshor / East Las Cruces · Las Cruces · Italian
Reviewed July 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Mi Piaci is exactly what you'd expect from a warm neighborhood Italian spot — familiar names, Italian-leaning, and priced for a weeknight dinner rather than a special occasion splurge. Nothing here is going to surprise you, but nothing is going to embarrass you either. It reads like a list curated by someone who likes wine but isn't obsessed with it.
The list leans predictably on Italy and California, with recognizable producers doing the heavy lifting — Santa Margherita, Ruffino, and Masi are the marquee names here. That's not a knock; these are legitimate bottles that actually taste like what they're supposed to be. The range sits somewhere between 25 and 50 wines, which is enough to navigate without being overwhelming, though you won't find anything adventurous or off the beaten path. Gaps are noticeable — no real exploration of southern Italy, no Barbera, no Vermentino — but the core is honest and functional.
Eight to twelve pours by the glass at $9–$14 is a respectable range for a Las Cruces neighborhood restaurant, and the pricing keeps things accessible for a Tuesday pasta dinner. The selection stays in safe territory — expect the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio to be front and center. Rotation appears minimal, so don't bank on anything exciting showing up month to month.
Ruffino Chianti Classico — $12
Ruffino Chianti Classico by the glass in the $9–$14 window is genuinely solid value — this is a real Sangiovese from a real Chianti Classico producer, not a bulk Chianti masquerading as the real thing. Order it with the chicken parm and don't overthink it.
Masi Amarone
Most tables at a neighborhood Italian spot are going to default to the Pinot Grigio or the Chianti. The Masi Amarone is likely sitting on this list with minimal fanfare, but it's a legitimately serious wine — dense, dried-fruit-driven, and built to hold up to big flavors. It's the most ambitious bottle on this list and probably gets ordered least.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Santa Margherita is perfectly drinkable, but it's also one of the most marked-up names in Italian wine relative to what's actually in the bottle. It became famous in the '80s and has coasted on that reputation ever since. You're paying for the label recognition here, not for something that outperforms its price point.
Ruffino Chianti Classico + Pasta Carbonara
Chianti Classico's bright acidity and earthy Sangiovese character cut right through the rich egg-and-guanciale fat of a carbonara without steamrolling it. It's a classic Italian match for a reason — the wine and the dish were basically designed for each other.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Mi Piaci isn't a wine destination, but it's a reliable neighborhood Italian with a list that won't let you down if you know what to order. Grab the Chianti, seriously consider the Amarone, and save room for the tiramisu.
Telshor / East Las Cruces · Las Cruces · Mexican and New Mexican
For a hotel cantina in Las Cruces, this list earns genuine respect by putting New Mexico producers front and center instead of hiding behind safe California imports. If you're anywhere near Hatch chile country and haven't tried Gruet with your enchiladas, Garduños is a reasonable place to fix that.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Telshor / East Las Cruces · Las Cruces · New Mexican / Southwestern
Ristra isn't going to blow any wine obsessives away, but for a hotel restaurant in Las Cruces it's doing something genuinely worthwhile — championing local producers on a list that could have easily gone full lazy-California. Come for the green chile, order the Gruet, and leave more impressed with New Mexico wine than you expected to be.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Telshor / East Las Cruces · Las Cruces · Steakhouse and Seafood
Cattle Baron isn't where you go to geek out on wine, but if you're in Las Cruces and you want a decent glass with a well-cooked steak, it delivers exactly that. Send a friend here for the beef; just don't tell them to splurge on the Caymus.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Mesilla · Las Cruces · Bar / Wine-Friendly
La Posta is worth visiting for the history, the atmosphere, and absolutely the margaritas — but the wine list is a placeholder, not a program. Come here for the experience, drink the cocktails, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that's earned it.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Telshor · Las Cruces · Italian
The wine list at Olive Garden Las Cruces is a corporate formality, not a feature — overpriced for what it is, with zero ambition and zero discovery. Order the breadsticks, order the Chianti if you must, but don't come here expecting anything from the wine program.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Las Cruces · Las Cruces · New American / Grill
De La Vega's Pecan Grill isn't a destination for wine lovers, but it's a perfectly decent place to drink well alongside a good steak in a warm setting. Go for the New Mexico pours, skip the Rombauer, and enjoy the orchard air.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown / Midtown · Carmel · Italian
Ristorante Roma won't overwhelm you with options, but eight thoughtfully chosen Italian bottles beats a bloated list of mediocre picks every time. Come here for the Taurasi, stay for the Brunello if someone else is paying.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Peoria · Peoria · Italian
Rizzi's is a perfectly nice neighborhood Italian spot, and we have no notes on the food — but the wine program is an afterthought with five California bottles and no pricing transparency. Order a cocktail or bring your own if corkage is an option.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Provo · Provo · Italian
La Dolce Vita earns its stripes as a dependable neighborhood Italian with a wine list that actually respects the cuisine it's serving. It's not a destination wine program, but in Provo, it's one of the better options on the table — and that house pour at $4 a glass is almost disarmingly honest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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