Storico Fresco
An Italian grocer that actually knows wine
Buckhead · Atlanta · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Storico Fresco reads like it was curated by someone who actually spent time in Emilia-Romagna and didn't just order from a distributor catalog. Forty-six labels isn't a lot, but the commitment to a single Italian producer — Enio Ottaviani Winery — as the backbone of the program tells you this place has a point of view. That's rarer than it should be in Buckhead.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans heavily on Enio Ottaviani, a small winery out of Rimini on the Adriatic coast, and that focus pays off — you get real range within that single producer, from the Passo Bianco white to the Clemente Primo red, plus a Riesling that most Italian-leaning lists wouldn't touch. Beyond the Ottaviani anchor, there are smart supporting players: Fontanabianca Barbaresco, a Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo, Cafaggio Chianti Classico, and Planeta's Cerasuolo di Vittoria rounding out the southern Italy slot. The 'Almost Zero Proof Wine' section is a genuine nod to a real need, not just a trend grab. Gaps exist — no Soave, no Vermentino, limited Tuscany whites — but what's here is intentional.
By the Glass
Thirty-three by-the-glass options on a 46-bottle list is an unusually high ratio, which means almost everything is available by the glass — a serious win if you want to explore the Ottaviani lineup without committing to a bottle. Prices run $11–$29 per glass, which is reasonable for Buckhead. The rotation appears static rather than dynamic, but the sheer breadth of the glass program softens that.
Enio Ottaviani Winery Passo Rosso — $13/glass (est.)
A Sangiovese-based red from Rimini that drinks with more character than anything at this price point in the Atlanta market. You're essentially getting an obscure Adriatic coast red that most Atlanta restaurants don't stock at all, let alone by the glass.
Enio Ottaviani Winery Riesling
An Italian Riesling from a producer most people haven't heard of is exactly the kind of oddball that gets passed over for the Chianti. Don't let it. Riesling from Emilia-Romagna is a minor regional tradition and worth the curiosity order.
Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo
At the top of the price range on a list like this, the Barolo feels like a crowd-pleaser safety pick more than a considered choice. Cordero di Montezemolo is perfectly respectable, but it's the kind of name that gets ordered by people who want to say they had Barolo. The Ottaviani bottles offer more interesting drinking per dollar.
Cafaggio Chianti Classico + House-made pasta with ragù
Cafaggio's Chianti Classico has the acid and earthy cherry character that cuts through a meat-heavy ragù without fighting it. It's a textbook central Italian match, and on a list this Italian-focused, it's the call that actually makes sense.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Storico Fresco earns its Wild Card badge by building a coherent, Italy-first wine program around a single under-the-radar producer and making almost all of it available by the glass. It's not deep, but it's honest — and in Buckhead, that's genuinely surprising.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.