Bellisio's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
Tignanello in Minnesota? Yes, Really.
Duluth · Duluth · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You're in Duluth, Minnesota, staring at a wine list that leads with Gaja Barbaresco and Sassicaia, and for a second you wonder if you've been transported. Bellisio's has held a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence since 1999 — a quarter century of keeping the bar high in a city more associated with lake views than Barolo. The list punches well above its geographic weight class.
Selection Deep Dive
The Italian spine is serious: Antinori Tignanello, Gaja Barbaresco, Sassicaia, Brunello from Banfi and Castello Romitorio, Barolo from Prunotto and Ceretto — this is a roll call that would hold up at a dedicated wine bar in any major city. California gets its due too, with Caymus, Silver Oak Alexander Valley, and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars covering the crowd-pleasing end without feeling like a cop-out. The range runs 200-350 selections, which is legitimately deep for a restaurant of this size in this market. If there's a gap, it's that adventurous drinkers looking for natural wine or off-the-beaten-path regions will need to look elsewhere.
By the Glass
Twenty to thirty-five pours by the glass is a genuinely strong program — most restaurants half-heartedly commit six and call it a day. Glass prices run $10–$18, which is honest money for what's on offer. We'd love to see the BTG list rotate more aggressively, but quantity and accessibility are both there.
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva — $35–$45
A reliable, food-friendly Tuscan red that drinks above its price point — perfect entry into the Italian section without committing to a three-figure Barolo.
Castello Romitorio Brunello di Montalcino
Banfi gets all the recognition, but Castello Romitorio makes a more structured, terroir-driven Brunello that most diners skip right past. Order it while everyone else plays it safe.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is everywhere, marked up everywhere, and rarely worth it at restaurant pricing. With Stag's Leap on the same list, your California Cab dollar goes further elsewhere.
Prunotto Barolo + Osso Buco
Braised veal shank needs something with structure and grip to cut through the richness — Prunotto's Barolo brings the tannin and earthy depth to stand up to it without overwhelming the dish.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Bellisio's is the kind of wine list that shouldn't exist where it does, and that's exactly why it deserves your attention. If you're passing through Duluth and care about drinking well, this is your stop.
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