Italy's Greatest Hits, Done Right on the Island
Hilton Head Island · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Michael Anthony's Cucina Italiana’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Walking into Michael Anthony's, the wine list signals immediately that someone here takes Italy seriously — Gaja, Antinori, Ceretto, Vietti. This isn't a tourist-trap list padded with Yellow Tail and Meiomi. Twenty-plus years holding a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence means the program has earned its stripes, and the list reflects that discipline.
The Italian backbone is the real story here: Super Tuscans anchor one end with Antinori's Tignanello and Solaia, while Barolo gets proper representation from Ceretto and Vietti, and Brunello di Montalcino shows up via Banfi and Casanova di Neri. Frescobaldi rounds out the Tuscan side nicely. California gets a respectable supporting role — Caymus, Far Niente, and Stag's Leap are crowd favorites for a reason, though they won't surprise anyone. The list tops out around 150-250 bottles, which is the right size for a casually elegant Italian spot — focused enough to navigate, wide enough to explore. The main gap is anything outside Italy and California; if you're hunting Burgundy or Rhône, you're at the wrong restaurant.
Ten to twenty pours by the glass is a workable program for a room like this — enough to match a multi-course Italian dinner without committing to a full bottle. We'd expect the Antinori label family and at least one solid Brunello to anchor the red side of the glass list. Sommelier Lucy Hunter's presence means the pours should be knowledgeable and well-maintained, which matters more than sheer volume.
Marchesi de' Frescobaldi (Tuscany) — $55
Frescobaldi consistently delivers Tuscan quality at a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage. On a list where Solaia and Gaja command top dollar, this is where you spend smart.
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino
Most tables at an Italian restaurant reach for the Caymus or grab the Tignanello because the name is familiar. Casanova di Neri is the real move — serious Brunello from one of Montalcino's most consistent producers, and most people skip right past it on the list.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles in American restaurant culture. You're paying a premium for a label that's everywhere, and you're at an Italian restaurant — there's better territory to explore on this list.
Vietti Barolo + Veal
Barolo's firm tannins and earthy depth were essentially built for braised or roasted veal. Vietti is a benchmark Barolo producer, and a slow-cooked veal dish gives the wine the richness it needs to really open up across the table.
The Bottom Line
Michael Anthony's is exactly what a long-running Wine Spectator honoree at a beach destination should be — an Italian-focused list with real producers, a knowledgeable sommelier in Lucy Hunter, and enough depth to reward the curious diner. Markups lean steep, which keeps it from Rager territory, but if you're on Hilton Head and you want to drink well with your pasta and veal, this is where you go.
Shelter Cove · Hilton Head Island · Seafood / New American
Sea Salt isn't trying to win a wine list award and it shows, but it's not trying to rip you off on selection either — just on price. If you're already there for the scallops and the view, the wine list will serve you fine; just set your expectations to vacation mode and not discovery mode.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Harbour Town / Sea Pines · Hilton Head Island · Resort / American
The Harbour Town Clubhouse wine list is exactly what it needs to be for its audience — familiar, functional, and unlikely to offend anyone in a golf shirt. Just know going in that you're paying resort prices for resort selections, and calibrate your expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South End / Forest Beach · Hilton Head Island · American pub and grill
Reilley's is a reliable beach-town bar that happens to have wine — not a wine destination that happens to serve food. Hit it during happy hour for half-off house pours, order the Rosé with your crab cakes, and keep your expectations calibrated to the vibe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Mid-island · Hilton Head Island · Seafood / Retail-to-Table
Redfish is the kind of wine list that works better than it should for a coastal tourist spot — 400 bottles is nothing to dismiss, even if the selection leans on crowd-pleasing California names and the pricing reflects the zip code. Go in knowing what you want, order the Riesling by the glass, and you'll have a fine night.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Shelter Cove · Hilton Head Island · Upscale Coastal American
The Pearl is a solid, well-dressed list that serves its upscale coastal crowd without rocking any boats. Bring a group, let someone order the Miraval, and don't let the Silver Oak get near your credit card.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Mid-island · Hilton Head Island · Italian
Il Carpaccio is a reliable dinner option for Hilton Head visitors who want a glass of something recognizable without overthinking it — but anyone hoping to find Italy on the wine list will come up short. Drink the bubbles, enjoy the pasta, and don't expect the list to challenge you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Napa · Napa · Italian
A16 Napa is a genuine Wild Card in Napa's sea of big-bottle Cab temples — if you want to drink interesting Italian wine with great food and actually get some guidance doing it, this is your spot. Just know that Napa real estate prices show up on the wine list, so budget accordingly.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
· Franklin · Italian
Pelato Franklin isn't going to make wine pilgrims drive down from Nashville, but it's doing more than the Italian-suburban average — an orange wine, some solid regional Italian whites, and a few California names that earn their spot. Come for the food, stay curious about the list.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Duluth · Italian
Va Bene is presumably doing something right in the kitchen, but the wine list is a two-item afterthought that tells you this place doesn't take wine seriously. Order a glass, enjoy your pasta, and don't expect anything more.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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