Northwest Wines, Italian Soul, One Great Room
Capitol Hill · Seattle · Italian Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The list at Anchovies & Olives is shorter than you might expect for a room this confident, but it earns its keep fast. There's a clear point of view here: Pacific Northwest producers rubbing shoulders with Italian whites, built specifically to drink well with raw fish and briny pastas. That focus is either exactly what you want or a gentle nudge to order accordingly.
The list leans hard into Washington State's Syncline Wine Cellars — a Columbia Gorge producer that doesn't get nearly enough credit — alongside a solid Italian contingent that skews toward lighter, high-acid whites suited to the seafood-heavy menu. This is not a list that goes deep on Napa Cab or chases trophy bottles; it's curated with a purpose. The Northwest section is the star, showcasing everything from sparkling to Roussanne to Grenache-based reds, which tells you the wine buyer actually thought about what goes on the plate. Gaps exist — don't come here expecting a robust Burgundy or broad Champagne selection.
Somewhere in the 10-16 glass range, which is respectable for a room this size. The by-the-glass program appears to mirror the bottle list's philosophy — expect Northwest whites to anchor the lineup. Rotation doesn't seem to be a priority, so what you see is likely what you get for the season.
Syncline Grenache/Carignan 2010 — null
A Southern Rhône-style blend from Washington's Columbia Gorge that most people walk right past assuming it won't work with seafood. It absolutely does — especially with anything in a tomato-based broth. Syncline consistently overdelivers for the price, and this is the bottle that proves the wine buyer knows what they're doing.
Syncline Roussanne 2010
Roussanne is a grape most diners couldn't pick out of a lineup, which is exactly why this flies under the radar. It's rich but not flabby, with enough texture to stand up to a creamy pasta and enough acid to not overwhelm a delicate crudo. Order it before someone else at your table discovers it.
Syncline Blanc de Blanc 2009
A sparkling wine that's been sitting on this list since 2009 — which, depending on when you're reading this, may mean it's past its window or simply forgotten. Unless the restaurant can confirm proper aging conditions and a compelling reason to revisit this vintage, the fresher options on the list will serve you better.
Syncline Sparkling Rosé 2010 + Shigoku oysters
Sparkling wine and oysters is a cliché for a reason — it works every single time. The Syncline Sparkling Rosé brings enough fruit to complement the brine and enough bubble to cut through the creaminess of a Shigoku. It's the most fun you can have at this restaurant for the price of a single bottle.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Anchovies & Olives is doing something genuinely interesting — building a wine list around a specific regional producer and a clear culinary identity — and that kind of intentionality is rarer than it should be. Send a friend here who thinks Washington State wine starts and ends with Chateau Ste. Michelle; the Syncline lineup alone is worth the trip.
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Magnolia · Seattle · Italian
Picolinos is the kind of neighborhood Italian where the wine list genuinely backs up the food, and that's rarer than it should be. Send your friends here if they want a proper Barolo with their osso buco without flying to Turin.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Belltown · Seattle · Italian
Tavolàta's wine list is exactly what a good Italian pasta spot should have — focused, fairly priced, and honest about what it is. If you're looking for a list to geek out over, keep walking; if you're looking for something that drinks well with great pasta, pull up a chair.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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