Italian Classics With a Dependable Glass
· Harrisburg · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 15, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Zia's at Red Door’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Zia's is short and approachable — 21 bottles, nothing that will make your jaw drop, but nothing embarrassing either. It reads like a list built for the room: polished Italian-American dinner spot, guests who know what they like, no one trying to show off. That's not a knock — it's just honest.
The list leans red and heavily California, with a few Italian anchors that actually make sense given the menu — Polizano Rosso, Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva, and an Antinori Toscana at $48 provide some legitimate Old World credibility. On the white side, you're mostly looking at crowd-pleasing Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay territory, though a Selbach Piesporter Riesling and Saracco Moscato d'Asti add a couple of interesting detours. There's a Honig Cab from 2011 that stands out — not many casual Italian spots hold onto anything with age on it. The gaps are noticeable: no Rosé, no Nebbiolo, nothing from Southern Italy, and the sparkling selection is just an Adami Prosecco doing all the heavy lifting.
With 19 of 21 bottles available by the glass, this is basically a by-the-glass list wearing a bottle list's clothing — and at $7–$10 a pour, the pricing is genuinely reasonable for Harrisburg. The range is broad enough to find something drinkable across most preferences, though don't come here expecting a rotating program or anything poured on a whim.
Polizano Rosso — $34
Polizano is a legit Montepulciano producer and the Rosso is their everyday drinking wine — bright, food-friendly, and a natural with anything on this menu. At $34 a bottle, it's not being gouged, and it's the most Italian-restaurant-appropriate bottle on the list.
Selbach Piesporter Michelsburg Riesling
Most people at an Italian dinner spot walk right past the Riesling. Don't. Selbach is a reliable Mosel producer, and a crisp, off-dry Riesling at $28 is a smart move against anything with cream sauce or roasted garlic — and it's probably the most food-versatile bottle on the list that nobody orders.
Honig Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Honig makes good wine, but $58 is a significant jump from everything else on this list, and a 2011 Napa Cab stored in an average restaurant environment is a gamble you probably don't need to take. There's no indication this bottle has been cellared with any special care, and at more than double most other options here, the risk-reward doesn't add up.
Banfi Chianti Classico Riserva + Chicken Parmigiana
Sangiovese and tomato sauce are basically old friends — the wine's acidity cuts through the marinara and the cheese without fighting the dish, and Banfi's Riserva has enough structure to hold up to a generous pour of red sauce. It's a classic match, and it's on the list for exactly this reason.
The Bottom Line
Zia's isn't a wine destination, but it's a reliable, fairly priced list that respects the room it's in and won't leave you feeling ripped off. If you're here for a nice Italian dinner and a couple of honest glasses of wine, it delivers.
Downtown · Harrisburg · American/Gastropub
Federal Taphouse is a beer bar that happens to serve wine, and the list reflects exactly that priority order. If you're with a group split between pint-drinkers and wine-drinkers, it works — just don't expect anyone to geek out over the bottle selection with you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Harrisburg · New American
Home 231 is a solid neighborhood dinner spot where the wine list does its job without any drama — which is fine, as long as you're not expecting it to be the reason you showed up. Come for the food, order something simple off the list, and enjoy the room.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hershey · Harrisburg · Seafood/Steakhouse
Devon isn't breaking new ground, but for a chain steakhouse in Hershey, this wine list punches above its weight — especially if you gravitate toward Rieslings or Pinot Noir. We'd send a friend here knowing they won't get gouged and won't have to settle.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Harrisburg · New American/Steak
Black 'n Bleu is a perfectly fine place to eat a steak — the wine list, however, is an afterthought dressed up as a program. Skip the Woodbridge, grab the Argyle, and spend your energy on the food.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Harrisburg · French-Inspired Brasserie
Rubicon is doing something genuinely uncommon for Harrisburg — a wine list with a real point of view, fair pricing, and bottles that reward curiosity. If you like exploring past the obvious, this list earns a detour.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Harrisburg · Steak & Seafood
The Forebay is a perfectly competent resort wine list — you won't be miserable, but you won't be excited either. If you're already here, lean into the by-the-glass program and chase the Grillo or a port; if wine is a priority, manage expectations accordingly.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · San Luis Obispo · Italian
La Locanda is a genuinely good Italian dinner spot that wears its wine program like a supporting actor — present, functional, but not the reason you're here. Order what looks Italian and local, skip the obvious crowd-pleasers, and let the food carry the evening.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Biloxi · Italian
Salute's wine list is a placeholder, not a program — safe brands, steep markups on the top end, and zero sense that anyone consulted an Italian wine map before printing the menu. Order the Chianti, skip the La Crema, and don't expect the staff to steer you anywhere interesting.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· La Crosse · Italian
Ciatti's isn't going to make anyone's wine pilgrimage list, but it's a genuinely solid neighborhood Italian with fair prices, a thoughtful white wine program, and a local Wisconsin producer on the list. Send a friend here for dinner and they won't be stuck drinking swill.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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