Italy's Greatest Hits, Chicago Style
River North · Chicago · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed April 13, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Siena Tavern’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Siena Tavern feels like it was built by someone who genuinely loves Italian wine and wanted to show off — in a good way. Italy leads the charge, California backs it up, and there's enough depth here to satisfy both the Barolo devotee and the person who just wants a solid glass of Cab with their short rib. Wine Spectator has recognized this list since 2018, and it's easy to see why.
The Italian spine is serious: Sassicaia and Super Tuscans anchor the high end, Gaja and Ceretto represent Barolo with authority, and Biondi-Santi and Banfi give you legitimate Brunello di Montalcino options that most River North spots wouldn't bother stocking. Amarone della Valpolicella rounds out the northeastern flank. California gets a respectable supporting role — Caymus and Jordan hold it down for guests who won't venture outside familiar territory. Where the list shows its limits is in the middle — there's a gap between entry-level and the trophy bottles that could use more interesting producers to bridge it.
With 20-30 options by the glass, this is one of the stronger BTG programs in River North — you're not stuck choosing between house red and house white. Glasses run $12-$20, which is fair for the neighborhood and the quality level. We'd love to see more rotation to keep things interesting, but what's here covers Italian varietals and California staples without embarrassing itself.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $60
Jordan consistently punches above its retail price point, and in a restaurant where bottles can sprint toward triple digits fast, it's a reasonable landing spot for California Cab fans who want quality without the Caymus premium.
Ceretto Barolo
Most tables at Siena Tavern are ordering pizza and pasta with something safe. Meanwhile, Ceretto's Barolo is sitting there — structured, earthy, genuinely great — waiting for someone to give it a shot with the braised short rib. It's the move.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, and at restaurant markup it's rarely a value play. You're paying a premium for a brand name that retail has already overexposed. The Jordan next to it almost always makes more sense.
Biondi-Santi Brunello di Montalcino + Braised Short Rib
Biondi-Santi's Brunello brings Sangiovese tannin and bright acidity that cuts right through the richness of braised short rib — this is the pairing the list was built for. It's a splurge, but it earns it.
The Bottom Line
Siena Tavern's wine list is a serious Italian-forward program dressed up in a lively River North atmosphere — the WS Award of Excellence is well-earned. Markups keep it from being a steal, but if you navigate toward the Italian heavy-hitters, you'll drink well.
· Chicago · Brazilian Steakhouse
Fogo de Chão Chicago's wine list is built for throughput, not discovery — it's reliable, reasonably ranged by the glass, and anchored by South American selections that at least make thematic sense with the food. The markups are steeper than we'd like and the list won't excite anyone who drinks wine as seriously as they eat meat, but the Catena Malbec and the Bodega Garzón Albariño are legitimate picks that rise above the crowd-pleaser baseline. Come for the churrasco, drink the Catena, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
River North · Chicago · Seafood
A seafood house with a long, mixed list: a Seafood Whites section, Burgundy and Napa depth, and 22 pours by the glass. Order the Marc Brédif "Royal Oyster" Muscadet with a half dozen oysters, or start with the $11/glass Charles de Fère, and confirm current prices. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
River North · Chicago · Mediterranean, Steakhouse
A Napa-heavy bottle list with a real Greek section and a short, priced glass board. Start with the $10 happy-hour Vermentino or, if you are staying for dinner, the AA Sigalas Assyrtiko at $75, and confirm prices and availability when you sit down. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Magnificent Mile · Chicago · Mediterranean
A 38-pour glass list with unpriced Champagne and Burgundy-heavy bottle pages behind it. Start with the $14 Tiberio Trebbiano or the $15 Thymiopoulos Assyrtiko, and ask for bottle prices because the posted bottle pages carry none. This unrated guide covers the posted drinks menu, not service, storage or markups.
Fulton Market · Chicago · Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
A Mediterranean list built around Greece and Lebanon, with 18 wines on the by-the-glass pages. Start with the Kalokaíri rosé (16 / 64) or the Chateau Musar "Jeune Rouge" (19 / 76), and confirm current vintages and prices. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
River North · Chicago · American
A short 14-wine list, with most price pairs between $13 and $15 and four single-price wines at $72 to $80. Order the Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling at $13 | 50, or the Provence rosé if you want the one French wine, and ask which number is the glass price. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
· Dacula · Italian
Antonetas isn't a wine destination, and it isn't trying to be — it's a family-friendly neighborhood Italian with a wine list that covers the basics and stays out of the way. If you're after a solid glass of something red with your Lasagna in a no-fuss setting, you won't be disappointed. Just don't show up expecting to geek out over the list.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Alpharetta · Italian
Crust is a solid neighborhood Italian spot where the wine list is a supporting player, not the headliner — and that's fine. Come for the rigatoni alla vodka and garlic knots; order a glass of whatever red they're pouring and don't overthink it. We'd send a friend here for dinner without hesitation, just not for the wine list alone.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Marietta · Italian
Vespucci's isn't a wine destination, but it doesn't pretend to be — and that honesty is refreshing. The one move that earns real respect here is the Monday half-price bottle deal, which turns an ordinary weeknight into a genuinely good value. Show up on a Monday, order the Eggplant Parmigiana, grab a bottle at half price, and you've had a solid dinner without thinking too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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