Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileIsabella's Italian Trattoria
Lynchburg, VA · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Isabella's Italian Trattoria runs a beverage program with clear Italian leanings and broader international reach. The wine list moves from a four-wine by-the-glass specials section through Italian whites, worldly reds, and a bottle list that includes Champagne, Barolo, Brunello, and Amarone. Cocktails are built with named spirits and modifiers rather than generic pours, and the draft list carries local Virginia craft options. Spirit-forward classics use recognizable brands. The result is a wide, specific drink selection rather than a token bar list.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Negroni, made with equal parts Boodles Gin, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, and Campari. For wine, the Avignonesi Vino Nobile offers Sangiovese with red berries and violet notes by the glass. The Veil Master Shredder Hazy IPA is a local draft option.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Guests who want a named cocktail rather than a generic pour, wine drinkers who move between by-the-glass specials and Italian bottles, and beer drinkers looking for Virginia craft drafts alongside a classic lager.
- What should I expect to spend?
- By-the-glass wines run $7 to $14. Draft beers are $6 to $9.50. Bottle prices range from $26 to $325, with Champagne from $97 to $138. Cocktail pricing is not listed in the approved packet.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The beverage list pairs Italian aperitivo and classic cocktails with a wine program that includes Virginia Viognier and Italian benchmarks like Brunello and Amarone. The draft list adds local Virginia craft from The Veil alongside Peroni and Genesee.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
The craft cocktail section lists 18 named drinks, from Spritz and Negroni to Paper Plane and several martinis. Builds use specific branded spirits and modifiers, not generic well labels. The bar menu frames the list as timeless cocktails and inspired iterations.
Menu strengths
- — 18 named cocktails spanning spritzes, classics, martinis, and house signatures.
- — Cocktails are built with named spirits and modifiers such as Boodles Gin, Four Roses Bourbon, Malfy Gin, Roku Gin, Campari, Aperol, Lillet Blanc, and Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth.
Standout selections
- — Negroni — equal parts Boodles Gin, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, and Campari with an orange peel.
- — Paper Plane — Four Roses Yellow Label Bourbon, Fernet Branca, Aperol, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Wine
The wine list is organized into By-The-Glass Specials, Rosé, Bubbly, Italian Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Worldly Whites, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Worldly Reds & Blends, and Rosso Italiano. By-the-glass and by-the-bottle pricing runs across sparkling, white, rosé, and red. Bottle selections include Champagne, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Napa Cabernet.
Menu strengths
- — Structured list with a dedicated By-The-Glass Specials section and broad international and Italian regional coverage.
- — Bottle range includes Champagne, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, Amarone, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and Napa Cabernet.
Standout selections
- — Avignonesi Vino Nobile ‘22 – Montepulciano, Italy — Sangiovese with red berries, pomegranate, and violet notes; $14 glass / $56 bottle.
- — Villa Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino ‘21 – Tuscany — Rosso Italiano bottle selection at $93.
Pricing: By-the-glass wines $7–$14; bottles $26–$325; Champagne $97–$138.
Beer
The bar menu lists four draft beers: Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Genesee Cream Ale, The Veil Master Shredder Hazy IPA, and The Veil White Ferrari DIPA. ABV and price are provided for each. The list includes local Virginia craft options from The Veil Brewing Company alongside a classic Italian lager and an American cream ale.
Menu strengths
- — Four drafts with ABV and price information provided.
- — Includes local Virginia craft options from The Veil Brewing Company.
Standout selections
- — The Veil Brewing Company Master Shredder – Richmond, VA — Hazy IPA heavy on Mosaic with cantaloupe, melon, orange and grapefruit; 5.5% ABV, $9.50.
- — Peroni Nastro Azzurro – Rome, Italy — Crisp Euro Pale Lager with delicate bitterness, citrus and spicy aromatic notes; 5.1% ABV, $6.
Pricing: Drafts $6–$9.50.
Spirits
Named spirits include Four Roses Small Batch, Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Bulleit Rye, Plymouth Gin, and Boodles Gin. Spirit-forward classics are built with named premium brands rather than generic well spirits. A recent customer account describes an old fashioned among items they look forward to ordering.
Menu strengths
- — Spirit-forward classics use named premium brands such as Four Roses Small Batch, Woodford Reserve, Bulleit Rye, and Plymouth Gin.
- — A customer account mentions an old fashioned among items they look forward to ordering.
Standout selections
- — Ultimate Manhattan — Four Roses Small Batch on rocks with Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Peychaud bitters, and Toschi cherry.
- — Boulevardier — equal parts Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Campari, and Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth with an orange twist.
Community reviews
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