Downtown Round Rock's Quietly Solid Wine Anchor
Downtown Round Rock · Round Rock · Italian with Argentinian influences · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 4, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Palermo Pasta House’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Palermo isn't trying to impress you — and that's actually kind of refreshing. It's short, Italian-leaning, and priced like someone actually wants you to order a bottle instead of just staring at it. For a neighborhood pasta house in downtown Round Rock, this is more than you'd expect.
About 24-30 labels deep, the list sticks close to its Italian roots — Barolo from Damilano, Amarone from Tommasi, Friuli Sauvignon Blanc from Pighin — with a smart Argentinian nod via Luca Old Vine Malbec that makes sense given the restaurant's dual identity. There's even a Dr. Loosen Riesling sneaking in from Germany, which shows someone is paying at least some attention. The gaps are real: no Brunello, thin on Tuscany beyond a single Chianti Classico, and the list hasn't visibly been updated since 2021. But what's here is mostly purposeful, not filler.
Ten to twelve options by the glass is genuinely generous for a spot this size, spanning whites, reds, and sparkling — all coming in between $7.50 and $11 a pour. That pricing keeps the barrier low enough that you can try something you've never had without committing to a bottle. Rotation appears minimal, so don't expect seasonal surprises.
Peppoli Chianti Classico — $36
Antinori's Peppoli is a recognizable, well-made Chianti Classico that typically retails in the $18-22 range — so $36 on a restaurant list is a fair, honest markup. It's the kind of Sangiovese that works across the whole menu and won't make you wince when the check arrives.
Pighin Sauvignon Blanc
Friuli Sauvignon Blanc is chronically overlooked by anyone who isn't actively paying attention to northeastern Italy, and Pighin is a reliable producer. It's crisp, herbal, and more interesting than the usual Pinot Grigio that dominates lists like this — most tables will walk right past it.
Tommasi Della Valpolicella Classico Amarone
At $80, the Tommasi Amarone is the priciest bottle on the list, and while Tommasi is a perfectly fine producer, their entry-level Amarone is widely available at retail for around $35-40. That's a steep climb for a wine that isn't exactly a cellar rarity. Save the splurge for a list that earns it.
Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne + Ravioli with sugo sauce braised veal short rib
Braised veal short rib is rich, deeply savory, and needs something with enough structure to stand up to it. The Damilano Barolo — firm tannins, dried cherry, some earthiness — is exactly that wine. It's the one bottle on this list that feels like it was chosen with a specific dish in mind.
The Bottom Line
Palermo Pasta House isn't a wine destination, but it's far from a wine afterthought — fair prices, a focused Italian list, and a Barolo that justifies the splurge. If you're eating here anyway, drink here too.
The Domain · Round Rock · Steakhouse
Fleming's The Domain is a reliable, polished corporate wine program — the 43-glass pour options and some quietly interesting whites (Loosen Bros., Abadía de San Campio, Lucien Albrecht) give it more range than the steakhouse chain label implies. Markups run steep, especially on the sparkling side, so go in with eyes open and steer toward the underordered stuff. Send a friend here if they want a safe, well-executed wine experience with their ribeye — just don't expect any real surprises.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Avery Ranch · Round Rock · Italian / Pizza
Tony C's Avery Ranch earns its place as a reliable neighborhood wine option with a thoughtful Italian core and fair pricing that won't make you regret ordering a bottle. It's not a wine destination, but it's genuinely better than it has to be, and that counts for something.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Round Rock · Round Rock · Italian
North Italia Round Rock doesn't break any new ground, but the Italian-leaning selection, fair bottle pricing, and massive by-the-glass count make it a reliable dinner option for anyone who wants a real wine alongside their pasta. Send your friends here — just steer them away from the Duckhorn.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Round Rock · Modern American
Grey Orchard isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the list punches above its 18-label weight class — fair prices, smart glass pour access, and the RARA bottles keeping things interesting. If you're in Round Rock and want a thoughtful glass over dinner without a lot of drama, this works.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cedar Park · Round Rock · Wine Bar & New American
The Grove is doing something genuinely ambitious for the suburbs — a BTG program this wide and a selection this international deserves your attention. Send a curious friend here and tell them to skip the Mondavi.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/North Round Rock · Round Rock · Mexican
La Margarita is a perfectly good Mexican restaurant that has simply decided wine is not its problem. Order a margarita, enjoy your chips, and leave the wine list alone.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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