signature collections - Iozzo's Garden of Italy

heritage wine collection

To pay tribute to the Iozzo family members who helped shape the original restaurant, we create wines to honor each of their stories and celebrate their legacy. These wines are made to pair with food in the restaurant and pay tribute to the people who made Iozzos possible today.

In May of 2016, Katie Harris met Rich Hartenberger, owner and wine maker at Midnight Cellars. Rich was presenting wines for Iozzo’s to pour on their list. Katie and Rich engaged in a passionate conversation about wine and grapes that grow well in Paso Robles. Sangiovese, the grape that is used to make chianti, grows well in that region of California. Katie inquired if Rich ever worked with clients to make private label wines. Katie was excited to hear they do indeed make private label wines and decided that it would be great for Iozzo’s to have their own wines. That fall Katie, Phil, Kirsten and David traveled to Paso Robles, California to create the perfect wine to pair with Iozzo’s cuisine. Born was the first wine in our Heritage Collection, Santora’s Sangiovese.

Santora’s Sangiovese

In 1905 Santora Iozzo immigrated to the United States from Calabira, Italy when he was 17 years old. In 1916 he landed in Indianapolis and made it his home and livelyhood. His determination layed the foundation for his great-granddaughter to once again share his culinary vision with our Indianapolis community.This wine represents our family – American grown with Italian roots.

Santora’s Sangiovese 2014 Paso Robels, California 95% Estate Grown Sangiovese 5% Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml $ 75

Dominic’s “The Incident”

Dominic’s “The Incident” is the wine we created in 2017. Dominic’s “The Incident” was produced in 2013, bottled and released in April of 2018. Dominic was the son of Santora and Rosario Iozzo and the grandfather of Katie Harris. He was the bartender at the original Iozzo’s and known as Indianapolis’ premier mixologist, knowing how to make the perfect drink while serenading his guests. He created a rare and exceptional ambiance at his bar. This wine is bold just like Dom.

750ml $ 75

Mary’s Melody

Mary’s Melody is the third installment of our heritage collection created in 2018. Mary’s Melody was produced in 2016, bottled and released in November of 2019. Mary was a child of Santora and Rosario Iozzo. She was Dominic’s sister and the reason “The Incident” is part of our family story. Mary would sing with the band nightly at Iozzo’s. She was known locally as the Sophie Tucker of Indianapolis, drawing crowds to the restaurant nightly. Her voice was big and bold, smoky and sensual, just like this wine.

750ml $ 75

iozzo’s limoncello

Iozzo’s family has been serving Limoncello to our friends and family for generations. Now, with some help form 8th Day Distillery, we’re sharing it with you. We recommend enjoying it chilled, after dinner paired with great conversation with family or friends.

Serving Suggestions: Perfect served chilled on its own or paired with creamy desserts such as crème brûlée, ice cream or Italian cream cake.

375ml $25 750ml $35

Available for purchase at Iozzo’s Garden of Italy for carry out. Or as an after dinner drink for $8 a pour.

private barrel selection

Journeyman’s Last Featherleaf Rye Whiskey

Picking a partner to select a whiskey that fits perfectly into our Iozzo cocktails could have been daunting, but with Bill and his team at Journeyman Distillery, the pairing was seamless. Iozzo’s has been pouring Journeyman’s Spirits since 2009 and the relationship really blossomed when Iozzo’s decided to commit to the next level of consistency. Picking a whole barrel of Journeyman’s Last Featherleaf Rye Whiskey to bottle exclusively for Iozzo’s. This allows us to maintain the flavor profile for our cocktails and barrel aged program. Iozzo team members have traveled to Three Oaks Michigan to be a part of the bottling process and to see the distillery in action.

Serving Suggestions: This is a perfect for Manhattans, Rye Old Fashions or simply served over ice.

750ml $65 Available for purchase at Iozzo’s Garden of Italy for carry out.

barrel aged cocktails

Aged Manhattan

Betty Iozzo’s favorite cocktail was a Manhattan. She fell in love with this drink that her husband Dominic used to make for her at the Original Iozzo’s in the 1930’s. Upon her marriage to Dominic at Iozzo’s in 1939, Betty became the heart of the Iozzo family with her lust for life and fun. In honor of Betty, we have been barrel aging Manhattans since her passing in 2010. Grandma Betty’s Aged Manhattan is a cocktail that we proudly make with our Private Selection Journeyman Last Featherleaf Rye Whiskey, Dolin Sweet Vermouth and Scrappy’s Aromatic Bitters. We then age the cocktail for at least 10 weeks in Journeyman barrels that once aged our Rye Whiskey. We offer this cocktail with or without smoked ice and serve it on the rocks or up with Luxardo Mariccino Cherries.

Cocktail available for purchase at the restaurant.

Aged Negroni

A traditional Italian Apertief is used to prepare your palate for dining. It is boozy and bitter, a perfect introduction to the menu before dinner. Iozzo’s aged version of this storied cocktail is equal parts 8th Day Distillery Gin, Cocci Vermouth di Terino, and Campari. We barrel age this cocktail for at least 10 weeks in slightly charred barrels to soften the bitterness and to blend the flavors of this great cocktail. We serve this cocktail on the rocks or up with an orange twist.

Cocktail available for purchase at the restaurant.