๐Ÿ”ฅThe Rager

Rocca

Tampa's Italian Michelin Star Drinks Like Italy

Tampa Heights ยท Tampa ยท Italian ยท Visit Website โ†—

date-nightdeep-cellarsplurge-worthyold-world-focus

Reviewed February 21, 2026

Wingman Metrics

List VarietyDeep & Eclectic
MarkupFair
GlasswareVarietal Specific
StaffKnowledgeable & Friendly
Specials & DealsSet & Forget
Storage & TempProper

First Impression

The wine cellar is visible from the dining room, which tells you everything you need to know about Rocca's priorities. This is a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant that takes wine as seriously as its tableside mozzarella cart, and the list reads like a sommelier's personal stash โ€” deep Piedmont cuts, aged verticals, and obscure Italian regions most Americans can't pronounce. Markups are fair for the caliber, which is shocking given the star and the location.

Selection Deep Dive

The list is almost entirely Italian with a modest Champagne selection, but the Italian depth is staggering. Piedmont dominates with serious Barolo and Barbaresco producers like G.B. Burlotto, alongside unexpected gems from Colli Orientali del Friuli and rare finds like Petit Rouge from Valle d'Aosta's Grosjean. You'll find decade-old sparkling Sangiovese from Tuscany, white Trebbiano d'Abruzzo from Tiberio that drinks way above its weight, and a 1999 Ronchi di Cialli Ciallabianco that shows they're not just chasing trophy bottles. The 2011 Ridge Monte Bello is the token California nod, but everything else screams regional Italian dedication.

By the Glass

We don't have exact counts on glass pours, but given the restaurant's overall commitment and somm-driven program, expect a thoughtful rotation that mirrors the bottle list's Italian focus. Likely varietal-specific stems for each pour, and the staff knowledge suggests they're pouring wines that actually match the food, not just the usual Pinot Grigio safety nets. If they're putting this much effort into the cellar, the glass program isn't an afterthought.

๐Ÿ’ฐBest Value

2021 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Fonte Canale โ€” $95

Cristiana Tiberio makes some of Italy's most structured, age-worthy Trebbiano โ€” this drinks like white Burgundy at half the price, and pairs perfectly with the crudo and mozzarella program

๐Ÿ’ŽHidden Gem

Grosjean Petit Rouge

Valle d'Aosta is Italy's smallest wine region, and Petit Rouge is its hidden red grape โ€” light, Alpine, savory, and basically unknown outside the region. Perfect with lighter Italian fare when you want red but not power

โ›”Skip This

2011 Ridge Monte Bello

It's a fantastic wine, but you're in a Michelin-starred Italian restaurant with one of Tampa's deepest Italian cellars โ€” save the Napa Cab blend for literally anywhere else and go full Italy here

๐Ÿฝ๏ธPerfect Pairing

2017 G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero + Bistecca (Akaushi Wagyu Striploin)

Burlotto makes classic, structured Barolo that can handle serious beef โ€” the Monvigliero cru has the tannin and acidity to cut through Wagyu fat while the wine's rose petal aromatics elevate the char

๐Ÿ”ฅ The Bottom Line

Rocca is doing what every Michelin-starred restaurant should but most don't โ€” building a wine program that's as thoughtful and regionally focused as the food. Fair markups, deep Italian selection, knowledgeable staff, and a cellar you can actually see. Send your wine-nerd friends here and watch them geek out.

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