Classic Italian Comfort With Decent Pours
Midtown · Reno · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 29, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at La Vecchia reads exactly like the restaurant looks: traditional, a little formal, and not trying to surprise you. Italy anchors it, California fills the gaps, and there's nothing on here that will make you put down your bread and start asking questions. It's the wine list equivalent of a well-ironed tablecloth.
Fifty to eighty labels sounds respectable until you realize much of the weight comes from familiar Italian and California workhorses. The Italian side shows some genuine effort — the Castello Della Sala 'Bramito Del Cervo' Chardonnay from Umbria is a real wine from a serious producer, and the sparkling section has options between Mionetto Prosecco and Mumm Brut Prestige. But the California picks lean on crowd-pleasers like Coppola and G. House Cabernet, and the Australia rep is a Jacob's Creek Reserve from Coonawarra — fine, but nothing that signals a buyer with strong opinions. The list does its job without ever really showing off.
Ten to sixteen by-the-glass options is a solid number for a neighborhood Italian, and the glass pricing between $9 and $16 is reasonable enough. What you're mostly getting is approachable, inoffensive pours — think the Mionetto Prosecco or a Coppola Cab — rather than anything that makes you linger over the decision.
Castello Della Sala 'Bramito Del Cervo' Chardonnay, Umbria, Italy, 2009 — $35-$45 (bottle estimate based on range)
Antinori's Castello Della Sala makes some of the best white wine in Italy. 'Bramito' is the entry point into that program and it punches well above its weight — structured, mineral, nothing like a California Chardonnay. At La Vecchia's price range it's the list's most interesting bottle and the one most likely to outperform expectations.
Jacob's Creek 'Reserve' Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia, 2009
Most people see Jacob's Creek and mentally file it under 'supermarket wine' — but the Reserve tier from Coonawarra is a legitimately different animal. That distinctive terra rossa soil gives you cassis and cedar with real structure. It's underordered at Italian restaurants, which means your server won't try to upsell you off it.
Mumm Brut Prestige, Napa Valley, CA, NV
At this price point in a restaurant setting, you're paying a significant premium for a sparkling wine that's available everywhere and doesn't bring much to the table. The Mionetto or Borgo Magredo Prosecco options give you more bang for the same occasion without the markup on a brand name.
Castello Della Sala 'Bramito Del Cervo' Chardonnay, Umbria, Italy, 2009 + Risotto
A structured, Italian-grown Chardonnay with good acidity is almost purpose-built for a creamy risotto. The wine's mineral backbone cuts through the richness of the dish without fighting it, and keeping everything Italian on the table feels right at a place like this.
✔️ The Bottom Line
La Vecchia is a dependable neighborhood Italian with a wine list that keeps the peace — it won't embarrass you on a date and it won't excite a wine nerd, but the Bramito is genuinely worth ordering. If you're here for the osso buco and the ambiance, the wine list will hold up its end of the deal.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.