Volare Italian Restaurant
Louisville's Italian Anchor Knows Its Tuscany
Frankfort Avenue · Louisville · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The list opens with serious Italian intent — Ornellaia, Sassicaia, Brunello from Il Poggione. This isn't a pasta joint that threw some Chianti on a laminated sheet; someone here actually cares about the boot. The price ceiling climbs fast, though, so be ready to navigate carefully.
Selection Deep Dive
Volare leans hard into Tuscany and Piedmont, which is the right call for a room serving this kind of food. The Super Tuscan lineup alone — Oreno at $363, Ornellaia at $445, Sassicaia at $685 — signals a kitchen that wants to be taken seriously at the table. California and France round things out without adding much excitement, and the list doesn't venture far into Southern Italy or anywhere truly adventurous. What's here is dependable and well-chosen; what's missing is any sense of risk or discovery.
By the Glass
Eighteen-plus options by the glass is genuinely strong for Louisville, and the range from $9 to $25 gives you room to move. Renato Ratti Nebbiolo 'Ocheti' at $15 a glass is the standout pour — that's a real wine at a fair price. La Marca Prosecco at $10 is fine as an opener, but don't let it be your whole night.
Renato Ratti Nebbiolo 'Ocheti' — $15/glass
Nebbiolo by the glass at $15 is a minor miracle. Ratti is a serious Piedmontese producer and 'Ocheti' drinks well above its station — you're getting a taste of the grape behind Barolo without the sticker shock.
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino 2021
Most tables here will order whatever the server recommends or default to a Super Tuscan. Brunello at $209 from a producer as consistent as Il Poggione is genuinely worth the stretch — it's the kind of wine that makes the whole meal feel like a different occasion.
Banfi Le Rime Pinot Grigio (bottle)
A $15 retail bottle priced at $38 is a 153% markup on a wine that never warranted much excitement in the first place. At $9 by the glass it's passable as a throwaway opener, but ordering the full bottle is paying a lot to be underwhelmed.
Tenuta Sette Ponti 'Oreno' Super Tuscan 2021 + Lasagna Salsiccia
Oreno is a big, structured Tuscan blend — Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot — that can stand up to a rich, meaty lasagna without getting lost. The herbal backbone in the wine cuts through the richness of the sausage while the fruit keeps everything feeling generous.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Volare has the bones of a genuinely good wine program — serious Italian producers, a deep-enough list, and real by-the-glass options that reward curiosity. The markups on entry-level bottles drag it back from greatness, but if you know where to look, you can drink very well here.
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