Local Love, But Markups Kill the Vibe
North Spokane · Spokane · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 17, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at 1898 Public House leans hard into its Pacific Northwest identity, which we respect — but a short list of regional picks only works if the pricing is honest. One glance at the numbers and the warm neighborhood-pub feeling cools off fast.
The focus is squarely Washington State, with names like Barrister and Maryhill representing the local scene. That's the right instinct for a Spokane pub — these are legit producers worth knowing. The problem is range: the list is thin, and there's no real depth beyond approachable crowd-pleasers. You're not going to find anything that surprises you, and the gaps in coverage outside the Pacific Northwest are noticeable.
The by-the-glass program runs somewhere in the 6-10 range, which is serviceable for a casual pub. Don't expect much rotation or seasonal swaps — this list reads like it gets revisited once a year at best. It's fine for a weeknight glass of something local, but it won't excite anyone who's paying attention.
Maryhill Winery Syrah — $55
Maryhill is a solid Columbia Gorge producer and the Syrah is genuinely good — but at $55 on a $25 retail bottle, 'best value' is relative. It's still the most defensible spend on a list where the markups are uniformly aggressive.
Barrister Cabernet Franc
Barrister is one of Spokane's better urban wineries and the Cab Franc is their standout — peppery, structured, and more interesting than anything from a big commercial brand. Most pub-goers skip Cab Franc without thinking. Don't.
Maryhill Winery Syrah
A 120% markup on a $25 retail bottle is hard to justify anywhere, let alone at a casual neighborhood pub. If you know what Maryhill retails for, this one stings. Order a local beer and save your money.
Barrister Cabernet Franc + Burger
Barrister's Cab Franc has enough structure and dark fruit to hold up against a juicy pub burger without steamrolling it — it's the kind of casual-but-confident pairing a place like this should be built around.
❌ The Bottom Line
1898 Public House has the right regional instincts but the wrong pricing philosophy — supporting local producers is great, doubling their retail price at a pub is not. Order the Barrister Cab Franc if you must, but cocktails might be the smarter call tonight.
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