Pacific Northwest Bragging Rights on the Columbia
Downtown Hood River · Hood River · American grill with steak, seafood and Northwest influences · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 27, 2026
RagingWine reviewed 3 Rivers Grill’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at 3 Rivers Grill is doing something right — it reads like someone actually thought about the region they're in, leaning hard into Willamette Valley, Walla Walla, and Columbia Gorge producers. At 56 labels spanning $34 to $329, this isn't a lazy afterthought list. It's a genuine attempt to showcase Pacific Northwest wine country, which is exactly what you want when you're sitting twenty feet from the Columbia River.
The Pacific Northwest representation here is legitimately impressive for a casual-upscale grill. Cayuse Cailloux Syrah, Horse Power Syrah, Leonetti Merlot and Cabernet, and Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir are all serious producers that belong on any Northwest wine shortlist — not just a Hood River tourist trap menu. There's some California depth too, with Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cab, Turley Old Vine Zinfandel, and a Castello Banfi Brunello for the Italian corner. The Dom Perignon and Pedestal Merlot round things out on the splurge end. Where it falls short is international breadth — if you're looking for Burgundy, Rhône, or anything from the Southern Hemisphere, you're out of luck.
By-the-glass specifics weren't available on the list we reviewed, which is a frustration — a restaurant this dialed into its bottle selection should be showing off the same way by the glass. The Argyle Brut NV at $39 a bottle suggests there's at least one smart sparkler option available, and we'd expect a Willamette Valley Pinot to be pouring somewhere on the glass list given the regional focus. We'd push the staff to tell you what's open.
Argyle Brut NV — $39
Argyle is the real deal — one of Oregon's best sparkling producers — and $39 is a reasonable ask for a bottle that punches well above its weight. Start here before you commit to anything else on the list.
Turley Old Vine Zinfandel
Most people at a Pacific Northwest-focused grill are going straight for the Pinot or the Syrah. Don't sleep on Turley — they're the gold standard for American Zinfandel, and Old Vine specifically has the depth and structure to hold up against a ribeye without breaking a sweat.
Dom Perignon Brut
Dom Perignon is a celebratory choice that makes sense on paper, but a casual grill on the Columbia River is not where you go hunting for proper Champagne storage or the right glassware to do it justice. The markup will sting, and there are better ways to spend that money right here on this same list.
Cayuse Cailloux Syrah + Ribeye steak
Cayuse's Cailloux is a Walla Walla Syrah with serious meat on its bones — dark fruit, iron, and enough structure to stand up to a well-marbled ribeye without getting steamrolled. It's the most Pacific Northwest pairing this menu can offer, and it delivers.
✔️ The Bottom Line
3 Rivers Grill is a genuinely solid wine destination for a mid-sized grill in Hood River — the Pacific Northwest selections are legit, the view earns its own tip, and a few bottles here are worth making a reservation for specifically. The markups on trophy bottles will make you wince, but stick to the regional lineup and you'll leave happy.
Hood River outskirts · Hood River · Farm-based lodge
Sakura Ridge isn't a wine destination — it's a lodge that happens to have a small, surprisingly honest wine list for guests who want something worth drinking with their orchard views. If you're staying here, lean into it; if you're driving out just for wine, the Columbia Gorge has better options nearby.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
White Salmon / Gorge Area · Hood River · Bistro with Global Fare and Seasonal Small Plates
Henni's is a genuine surprise — a chef-driven neighborhood spot in a small Washington town that built a wine list with actual intention. If you're passing through the Gorge and think wine stops at Hood River, White Salmon has an argument to make.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
13th Street area · Hood River · Mexican
Hood River Taqueria is here for the tacos and the margaritas, and that's completely fine — but the wine list is an afterthought and everyone involved knows it. Order the cocktails, leave the wine to restaurants that care.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waterfront · Hood River · Brewpub / Pacific Northwest
Ferment is a genuinely great brewery, and we'd send anyone to Hood River for their beer and their patio. But the wine list is an afterthought in the middle of one of America's best wine regions, and that's hard to forgive — order a pint and save the wine for a spot that's trying.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Waterfront · Hood River · Steakhouse
Riverside Grill is a perfectly decent place to drink wine if you're also there for the ribeye and the river view — just don't come expecting the list to match the scenery. Order the Pinot Gris, watch the kiteboarders, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere else in Hood River.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Hood River Outskirts · Hood River · Wine Farm / Farm-to-Table
Hiyu is not a restaurant with a wine list — it's a wine farm that happens to feed you extraordinarily well, and the whole thing is built around a vision of place that very few operations anywhere in the country can match. Send your most adventurous friend here immediately, and tell them to clear their afternoon.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.