Solid Italian wine program with room to grow
Sarasota · Sarasota · Italian
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 27, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Osteria 617’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Osteria 617's wine list feels like it's still finding its identity — there's a decent Italian backbone here, but it hasn't quite committed to being a serious wine destination. The list leans safe, with familiar regions and producers that won't scare off tourists or snowbirds looking for a comfortable Italian meal with a glass of Chianti.
The Italian section does the heavy lifting, with predictable selections from Tuscany, Piedmont, and the Veneto. You'll find your Barolos and Brunellos at respectable price points, but don't expect deep cuts from Alto Adige or obscure southern appellations. There's a token California section and a few French standards, but this list knows its lane is Italian and doesn't apologize for it. The gaps are noticeable — limited natural wine representation, no orange wines, and a by-the-bottle focus that suggests they're not chasing the casual wine bar crowd.
The glass pour selection is workable but not inspiring — probably six to eight options that rotate seasonally at best. Expect a Pinot Grigio, a Chianti, maybe a Super Tuscan, and a Prosecco. They're pouring safe, which means you're getting drinkable wines but missing opportunities for discovery. If you're dining solo or just want a glass with your pasta, you won't be disappointed, but you won't be texting friends about it either.
Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico — $52
Classic Tuscan red with enough structure for their richer dishes, priced fairly for what you're getting
Mastroberardino Fiano di Avellino
Southern Italian white that most diners skip for Pinot Grigio, but it's got more character and pairs brilliantly with seafood
Generic Prosecco by the glass
Marked up hard for what's likely a commodity sparkler — save your money for a real bottle
Allegrini Valpolicella Classico + Osso Buco
Light-bodied red with bright cherry fruit cuts through the richness without overpowering the tender veal
✔️ The Bottom Line
Osteria 617 delivers a reliable Italian wine experience without fireworks. The list won't blow you away, but it won't let you down either — perfect for a neighborhood spot where you want a decent bottle without drama.
Sarasota · Sarasota · Steak house
Alpine Steakhouse isn't trying to reinvent the wine list, and it doesn't need to — this is a dependable, California-forward program that does its job well in a room built for red wine and red meat. If you're in Sarasota and want a straightforward, satisfying wine experience with your steak, this is a safe and genuinely pleasant bet.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Siesta Key · Sarasota · American
Summer House earns its Wine Spectator credential by not messing anything up — the California list is competent, the setting earns the experience, and the classics hit their marks. Just don't come looking for discovery; come looking for a good glass of Cab with a great piece of steak on a warm Florida night.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lakewood Ranch · Sarasota · Italian
Osteria 500 is doing the right things with wine in a market that doesn't always demand it — focused Italian list, fair prices, and enough depth to reward the curious. Send your friends here if they want a proper Italian dinner with a bottle worth talking about.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Siesta Key · Sarasota · Italian
Café Gabbiano is a reliable, well-run wine program at a genuinely lovely beachside Italian spot — the Italian list is the real draw, the staff knows their stuff, and if you stay focused on Tuscany and Piedmont, you'll eat and drink very well. Markups keep it from being a rager, but we'd absolutely send a friend here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Sarasota · Sarasota · Asian Noodle
Come for the artisan noodles, skip the wine entirely. This is a beer and tea spot that happens to have a few bottles gathering dust. Order the cocktails if you need something beyond lager.
Grocery Store
Steep
Stemless Casual
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Sarasota · Sarasota · Coastal American
Jack Dusty won't blow your mind, but it won't ruin your dinner either. Come for the view, order something crisp and white with your fish, and don't overthink it—this is resort wine drinking, not wine geek territory.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Parkway / Elks Plaza · Gatlinburg · Italian
The Best Italian's wine list does exactly what it needs to do: keep casual diners happy, not drain wallets, and get out of the way of the garlic knots. We wouldn't drive to Gatlinburg for the wine, but if you're already there and want something decent with dinner, you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Vail Village · Vail · Italian
La Nonna brings a legitimately serious Italian cellar to a town where most restaurants are content to coast on their ski-town captive audience — and that deserves real credit. The markups are steep across the board, but the bones of the list are strong enough that the right bottle makes the whole evening.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Mountain Road · Stowe · Italian
Trattoria La Festa is not a destination for the wine list — it's a destination for the atmosphere, the pasta, and crucially, Wednesday night, when every bottle under $100 goes half-price and suddenly a $50 Antinori feels like a very smart midweek decision. Go on a Wednesday, order the Bramito, and stop overthinking it.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.