Neighborhood Wine Bar That Actually Means It
· Chandler · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · October 9, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Pesto's Italian Eatery & Wine Bar’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The name says wine bar and Pesto's seems to take that seriously — this isn't a pizza joint that threw a few bottles on a shelf as an afterthought. The casual-chic room, live jazz nights, and a dedicated by-the-glass list signal that someone here actually thought about the wine program.
Regional breadth leans toward the expected Italian-American sweet spot: California and Oregon anchor the New World side, while France — including Rhône and Bordeaux — covers the Old World bases. That's a reasonable framework for a neighborhood spot pairing wine with NY-style pizza and shrimp scampi. We can't confirm depth or producer quality from available sources, but the region spread suggests a list built to please rather than challenge. Gaps in lesser-known Italian regions like Campania or Friuli would be our guess, though we can't confirm that without seeing the full list.
By-the-glass options exist and by local accounts there's a meaningful number of them — enough to warrant the wine bar label. Wine flights are advertised, which is a genuine commitment and a good way to work through unfamiliar producers without committing to a full bottle. Exact glass counts and current pours aren't confirmed, so we'd recommend asking your server what's rotating.
The Bottom Line
Pesto's earns its wine bar billing for Chandler — it's a genuine neighborhood spot with a real glass program, live music, and food that's priced to let you spend a little more on the bottle. We can't verify every detail of the list from here, but the bones are solid enough to make this a reliable call for a casual date night with pizza and a pour.
· Chandler · Seafood
Sea & Smoke earns its reputation as a polished neighborhood seafood spot, but the wine program isn't yet pulling its weight alongside a kitchen that's clearly swinging for the fences with Lobster Pot Pie and Chilean Sea Bass. Until we have a full menu in hand, we'd recommend asking your server directly what's pouring well tonight — and keeping an eye on that markup.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Sun Lakes · Chandler · New American
Stone & Barrel is a solid neighborhood destination in the southeast Valley where the food — especially the wood-fired pizza — is the main event, and the wine list is a willing supporting act. We don't have enough detail on the full wine program to send you in with a specific bottle in hand, but if you're going for a casual dinner with friends in Sun Lakes, you're unlikely to go thirsty. Come for the pizza, manage your expectations on the wine, and you'll have a good night.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · Steakhouse
DC Steakhouse's list is honest about what it is: a curated set of California crowd-pleasers anchored by a strong Cabernet bench, with a few thoughtful whites sneaking in around the edges. It won't win any points for adventure, and without pricing data or confirmed glass pours we can't vouch for value — but if you're here for red meat and red wine, you'll find something that works.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · Steakhouse
Bourbon & Bones is a steakhouse that takes its Champagne seriously — the sparkling selection runs deeper than most dedicated wine bars in the Valley, and the by-the-glass program gives you real options at multiple price points. The markups are steep across the board and the non-sparkling list is nothing to write home about, but if you're coming here to celebrate over a bone-in ribeye and a bottle of Dom, this list is built for exactly that occasion.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · New American
St. Amand keeps it simple and fair — every bottle by the glass, prices that don't punish you for wanting wine with dinner, and a few selections like Valraven Pinot Noir and Cave De Lugny that show someone was paying at least some attention when building the list. If you're in Chandler and want a reliable glass without drama or sticker shock, this gets the job done.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Chandler · Mexican
The Mexicano simply hasn't invested in wine, and that's fine — it's a Mexican restaurant in Chandler, not a wine bar. Order the margarita or a beer, enjoy your meal, and don't lose sleep over what's in those three mystery bottles. Wine drinkers should look elsewhere.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Bend · Bend · Italian
Start with the $15 Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti by the glass, or the 375 mL Fèlsina Riserva "Rancia" at $45 if you want something more serious without a full bottle. Confirm current availability and prices. This unrated guide covers the posted wine lists, not service, storage or markups.
Coral Gables · Miami · Italian
Order the Berlucchi Franciacorta at $16 to start, then take a Chianti Classico by the glass with the short rib bolognese. If you want a bottle, the Etna Bianco at $115 is the one to ask about. The wine book and menu are dated files, so confirm today's availability and prices. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
West Albany · Albany · Italian
Order the Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva at $47 if you want a safe, named Tuscan bottle, or try the Righetti Amarone at $58 with the veal medallions. The list is undated, so confirm vintages and prices when you sit down. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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