La Foresta Restaurant & Wine Bar
Serious Italian Cellar Hidden in Connecticut
Killingworth · Killingworth · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
You're on Route 81 in Killingworth — not exactly a wine destination — and then you walk into La Foresta and the list is 300-plus bottles deep with Gaja Barbaresco and Sassicaia staring back at you. It hits differently. This is a serious wine program wearing a cozy neighborhood Italian's clothes.
Selection Deep Dive
The Italian spine here is the real deal: Giacomo Conterno and Bruno Giacosa on the Barolo side, Biondi-Santi and Banfi for Brunello, and the Super Tuscan holy trinity of Tignanello, Sassicaia, and Ornellaia all present. California gets a fair shake with Caymus and Silver Oak holding it down for the crowd-pleaser contingent, while Louis Jadot and a respectable run of Bordeaux châteaux round out the French chapter. The gaps are minor — Spain gets a nod but feels like a supporting character — but the Italian depth alone justifies the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence this place has held since 2016.
By the Glass
Twenty to thirty-five options by the glass is generous for a restaurant this size, and the $12–$22 price window means you can actually explore without defaulting to the cheapest pour. With Francesco Lulaj working the floor, the glass program feels curated rather than just whatever needs to move — ask what's open.
Louis Jadot Burgundy — $45
Burgundy entry points at this price are increasingly rare anywhere. Jadot's reliability and La Foresta's fair markup make this the move if you want Old World elegance without committing to a three-figure bottle.
Brunello di Montalcino (Banfi)
Biondi-Santi gets all the glory on this list, but Banfi's Brunello consistently over-delivers for the price and most tables walk right past it chasing the bigger names. Don't.
Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine, but it's also available at every steakhouse in America and carries the markup to prove it. With Barolo legends and Super Tuscans on the same list, ordering Caymus here is like flying to Italy and eating at the airport.
Gaja Barbaresco + Homemade pasta
Gaja's Barbaresco has the tannic structure and dried cherry depth to stand up to a rich, slow-cooked pasta sauce, and the acidity cuts through without bullying the dish. This is the pairing that makes the drive to Killingworth worth it.
🔥 The Bottom Line
La Foresta is the kind of place you'd drive an hour for if someone told you about it, and yet somehow it's sitting quietly in a small Connecticut town doing serious Italian wine work. Send your friends — but make a reservation first.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.