Italy's Greatest Hits, Done Right
Bath · Akron · Upscale Italian Trattoria · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 29, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Vaccaro's Trattoria’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Vaccaro's reads like a love letter to Italian classics — Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, with a California cameo. It's a list built to impress first-timers and satisfy regulars who know what they want before they sit down. Nothing here will surprise you, but nothing will embarrass you either.
The Italian backbone is solid: Antinori Tignanello anchors the Tuscan section like a headliner, Banfi's Brunello di Montalcino gives the list some cellar credibility, and Masi Amarone rounds out the Veneto with something serious. The California presence feels more like a concession to crowd comfort than a real commitment — it's there so someone at the table can order a cab without feeling adventurous. What's missing is any meaningful exploration beyond the greatest hits: no Etna Rosso, no Vermentino, no producers that would make an Italian wine nerd lean in.
Eight to fifteen pours by the glass is a reasonable spread for a place like this, and we'd expect the Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio to anchor the white options as the reliable crowd-pleaser. Whether the glass program rotates seasonally or just stays locked in year-round is unclear, but based on the list's overall personality, we'd bet on the latter.
Masi Amarone della Valpolicella — $90
Amarone is one of Italy's most labor-intensive wines — dried grapes, extended maceration, years of aging — and Masi does it well at a price point that's easier to swallow than most restaurant pours of this caliber. If you're splitting a bottle at dinner, this is where your money goes.
Banfi Brunello di Montalcino
Most tables here will gravitate toward the Tignanello because the name recognition is comforting. The Banfi Brunello gets less attention, but it's a serious Sangiovese from one of Montalcino's most consistent producers — and with a braised meat special, it earns every penny.
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio
Perfectly drinkable, reliably inoffensive, and marked up like it's still 1998. Santa Margherita built its reputation on being the Pinot Grigio Americans discovered first, not the best — and at restaurant prices, you're paying for that legacy, not your glass.
Antinori Tignanello + Osso Buco
Tignanello's Sangiovese-Cabernet blend has the structure and dark fruit to stand up to the deep, braised richness of osso buco without overwhelming the delicate marrow. It's a classic match that reminds you why Super Tuscans became a thing in the first place.
The Bottom Line
Vaccaro's wine list is a safe, well-curated tour of Italian crowd-pleasers — it won't challenge you, but it'll take care of you. Send your parents here for their anniversary; save your adventurous wine nights for somewhere that colors outside the lines.
Akron–Canton corridor · Akron · Upscale rustic Italian
The Bistro at Gervasi is a wildcard in the best sense — a full estate wine experience dropped into the middle of northeast Ohio, executed with more care than anyone from out of state would guess. Come curious, skip the cynicism, and let the Nebbiolo do its thing.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Bath / Ghent · Akron · Upscale American / Steakhouse
Ken Stewart's Lodge isn't here to challenge you — it's here to make sure your Napa Cab and your dry-aged steak show up exactly when you want them. Come on a Wednesday, order something from the Stag's Leap end of the list, and you'll leave happy.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Bath / West Akron border · Akron · Upscale American Steakhouse with Seafood
Ken Stewart's isn't reinventing the steakhouse wine list, but it's executing the classic version with enough depth and care to earn your trust. Show up on a Wednesday, grab the Jordan or Far Niente at half price, and you'll leave happy.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Green / East Akron corridor · Akron · Steakhouse / American
Prime 93 is a perfectly serviceable steakhouse wine list that won't thrill anyone but won't embarrass the table either — fair prices, California-forward, and honest about what it is. Send a friend here for the steak; just don't send them expecting a deep cellar.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montrose / Fairlawn · Akron · Seafood
Come for the seafood — the Shrimp & Grits and Crab Cake have genuine fans — but come on a Tuesday when the bottles are half off, because that's the only time the wine program makes financial sense. Any other night, order a cocktail.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
East Akron · Akron · Japanese / Hibachi
Hibachi Japan's wine list isn't going to make anyone's bucket list, but it's priced fairly, covers the basics, and won't embarrass you on date night. Order the Riesling or Pinot Gris, enjoy the show, and don't overthink 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.
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