Italy on the Gulf Coast, Done Right
Fort Myers · Fort Myers · Italian, Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 12, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Terra Nostra arrives with some real weight behind it — 150-plus bottles, a proper Martini & Wine Bar up front, and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence that's been earned every year since 2020. For Fort Myers, this is not a list you expect to find tucked into a strip mall on San Carlos Blvd. It signals that someone here actually gives a damn.
The Italian spine of this list is genuinely impressive. Antinori Tignanello, Sassicaia, Gaja Barbaresco, Amarone, Brunello di Montalcino — these aren't just names dropped to impress; they represent real depth across Tuscany, Piedmont, and the Veneto. The California side leans into crowd favorites like Caymus and Jordan Cabernet, which will keep the steakhouse regulars happy without embarrassing the Italian selections. The list doesn't break much new ground — you won't find Etna Rosso or natural-leaning producers here — but what it does, it does with conviction. Gaps exist in white wine depth beyond the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, which feels like a missed opportunity given how Italian whites have evolved.
With 12 to 20 glass pours in the $10-$18 range, the by-the-glass program is functional and fairly priced for the market. It's not the kind of rotating, adventurous program that keeps regulars guessing, but you're not getting stuck with house plonk either. A solid anchor for the terrace crowd who just wants a glass of something decent with their Chicken Marsala.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $35–$55 (bottle range estimate from list)
Jordan consistently overdelivers at its price point — structured, food-friendly, and a natural fit with Terra Nostra's red-sauce and steak menu. When it's priced at the lower end of the list, it's the move.
Barolo (Ceretto or Pio Cesare)
Most tables here are ordering Caymus without a second thought. Meanwhile, a proper Barolo from Ceretto or Pio Cesare is sitting on this list waiting for someone to notice — bigger, more complex, and genuinely built for a long Italian dinner.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
It's fine. It's always fine. It's also the most marked-up, least interesting Pinot Grigio in existence, and you can find it at every airport in America. Terra Nostra's list deserves a better white wine story than this.
Amarone della Valpolicella + Veal Piccata
Counterintuitive, maybe — but Amarone's concentrated dark fruit and dried-grape richness stands up to the bright lemon and caper acidity of the Piccata without getting steamrolled. It's a bold call that pays off and gives you a reason to order the good stuff.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Terra Nostra is doing something genuinely respectable for the Fort Myers dining scene — an Italian-focused list with real benchmark producers, fair pricing, and the Wine Spectator hardware to back it up. Not the flashiest wine program in Florida, but one you can trust, which counts for plenty.
Downtown River District · Fort Myers · Japanese, Sushi
Blu Sushi Downtown isn't a wine destination, but it's a perfectly functional place to have a decent glass while eating good rolls in a fun room. Send your friend here for a night out — just tell them to skip the Rombauer.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Fort Myers / Daniels Parkway · Fort Myers · Japanese, Sushi
Mori Sushi & Grill isn't the place you go for a wine adventure, but the list is priced fairly and the Sauvignon Blancs do real work alongside the food. Grab a glass of Nobilo, order the sashimi, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Fort Myers / Daniels Parkway · Fort Myers · Italian-American, family-style
Two Meatballs isn't a wine destination, but the Italian backbone of the list is honest and the pricing is fair enough that you won't feel robbed. Order the Barbera, get the baked ziti, and let the chaos of the dining room do the rest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Fort Myers / US-41 · Fort Myers · Wine Bar, New American
Non Chalance has all the right intentions — a chill wine bar vibe with small plates in a neighborhood that needed it — but the list leans hard on low-cost, high-markup retail staples that don't hold up under scrutiny. Come for the atmosphere, but go easy on the bottle orders.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Fort Myers River District · Fort Myers · Rooftop Bar / Tapas & Small Plates
Beacon Social Drinkery is a genuinely fun place to watch the sun go down — just don't come here expecting the wine list to match the altitude. Order a cocktail, enjoy the view, and if you must have wine, the Crios Rosé is your move.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Fort Myers River District · Fort Myers · Upscale Contemporary Seafood and American
The Silver King won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you either — and for a hotel restaurant in Fort Myers, that's a genuine win. Take the Leflaive, skip the Rombauer, and enjoy the river view.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Madison · Madison · Italian, Steakhouse
Draper Brothers Chophouse is a dependable, California-forward wine list in a genuinely beautiful room — it won't blow any minds, but it will reliably get out of the way of a good steak. Send your friends here for the beef and the atmosphere; just temper expectations if they're hoping for a wine list that matches the ambition of the building.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hubertus · Hubertus · Italian, Steakhouse
Johnny Manhattan's earned its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and has held it since 2018 for a reason — this is a legitimately well-curated list for a small-town Italian steakhouse that gets California and Italy right. If you're within driving distance, it's worth making the reservation and going deeper than the Caymus.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Eau Claire · Eau Claire · Italian, Steakhouse
Johnny's isn't trying to reinvent the wine list — it's trying to make sure you drink well with your steak, and it succeeds. Send a friend here if they want reliable California pours at fair prices without having to think too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.