Italy's Greatest Hits, Done Right on the Island
Hilton Head Island · Hilton Head Island · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into Michael Anthony's, the wine list signals immediately that someone here takes Italy seriously — Gaja, Antinori, Ceretto, Vietti. This isn't a tourist-trap list padded with Yellow Tail and Meiomi. Twenty-plus years holding a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence means the program has earned its stripes, and the list reflects that discipline.
The Italian backbone is the real story here: Super Tuscans anchor one end with Antinori's Tignanello and Solaia, while Barolo gets proper representation from Ceretto and Vietti, and Brunello di Montalcino shows up via Banfi and Casanova di Neri. Frescobaldi rounds out the Tuscan side nicely. California gets a respectable supporting role — Caymus, Far Niente, and Stag's Leap are crowd favorites for a reason, though they won't surprise anyone. The list tops out around 150-250 bottles, which is the right size for a casually elegant Italian spot — focused enough to navigate, wide enough to explore. The main gap is anything outside Italy and California; if you're hunting Burgundy or Rhône, you're at the wrong restaurant.
Ten to twenty pours by the glass is a workable program for a room like this — enough to match a multi-course Italian dinner without committing to a full bottle. We'd expect the Antinori label family and at least one solid Brunello to anchor the red side of the glass list. Sommelier Lucy Hunter's presence means the pours should be knowledgeable and well-maintained, which matters more than sheer volume.
Marchesi de' Frescobaldi (Tuscany) — $55
Frescobaldi consistently delivers Tuscan quality at a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage. On a list where Solaia and Gaja command top dollar, this is where you spend smart.
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino
Most tables at an Italian restaurant reach for the Caymus or grab the Tignanello because the name is familiar. Casanova di Neri is the real move — serious Brunello from one of Montalcino's most consistent producers, and most people skip right past it on the list.
Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
Caymus is fine wine, but it's also one of the most marked-up bottles in American restaurant culture. You're paying a premium for a label that's everywhere, and you're at an Italian restaurant — there's better territory to explore on this list.
Vietti Barolo + Veal
Barolo's firm tannins and earthy depth were essentially built for braised or roasted veal. Vietti is a benchmark Barolo producer, and a slow-cooked veal dish gives the wine the richness it needs to really open up across the table.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Michael Anthony's is exactly what a long-running Wine Spectator honoree at a beach destination should be — an Italian-focused list with real producers, a knowledgeable sommelier in Lucy Hunter, and enough depth to reward the curious diner. Markups lean steep, which keeps it from Rager territory, but if you're on Hilton Head and you want to drink well with your pasta and veal, this is where you go.
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