Taverna
Italy's Greatest Hits, Done Right
San Marco · Jacksonville · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The list opens with a clear love letter to Italy — Tuscany and Piedmont front and center, no apologies. It's the kind of menu that signals the kitchen takes its heritage seriously, and the wine program mostly follows suit. Don't expect surprises, but do expect the classics covered with reasonable depth.
Selection Deep Dive
Taverna leans hard into the Italian canon: Barolo from Ceretto or Vietti, Brunello di Montalcino, Gaja Barbaresco, and Antinori's Tignanello make appearances that would embarrass most Italian restaurants in a comparable market. Sicily and Veneto fill out the supporting cast, and while there's no serious new-world detour to speak of, that's not really the point here. The 80-150 label range is enough to reward a return visit without overwhelming anyone who just wants a solid Chianti. The gaps are real — lighter everyday drinkers and natural wine explorers will find this list a bit stiff — but the anchors are impressive.
By the Glass
Fourteen options by the glass is a respectable spread for a neighborhood Italian spot. The $10–$18 range keeps things accessible even if the ceiling doesn't quite reach the serious bottles on the full list. Rotation appears limited — this reads more like a set program than one that gets refreshed with the seasons.
Quinta do Noval Black NV (Port, by the glass) — $7
At $7 a glass for a legit Portuguese Port, this is the easiest recommendation on the list. Retail runs about $15 a bottle — you're not getting gouged here the way you are elsewhere, and it's a perfect close to a pasta-heavy meal.
Gaja Barbaresco
Most tables at a San Marco Italian spot are ordering Pinot Grigio or a safe Chianti. Gaja Barbaresco on the list is a genuine signal that whoever built this menu has taste — it's a world-class Piedmontese wine most diners will scroll past without blinking. Don't scroll past it.
Cache Creek Chardonnay
At $68 on the restaurant list for a wine that retails around $20, this is a 240% markup on a completely unremarkable Chardonnay. With Barolo and Brunello on the same menu, there is no reason to spend your money here.
Barolo (Ceretto or Vietti) + Handmade Pasta
A proper Barolo — big tannins, high acid, cherry and tar — cuts right through rich ragù or brown butter pasta without bullying the dish. It's the pairing that makes you understand why Italians built these wines around a table.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Taverna is a reliable Italian wine list in a city where that bar isn't exactly sky-high — the marquee Italian producers are real, the by-the-glass program is honest, but the markups on some bottles will sting if you're not paying attention. Send your wine-curious friends here, just steer them away from the Cache Creek.
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