Estate wines with a view worth the drive
South Hill · Spokane · Mediterranean · Visit Website ↗
Updated September 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 23, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Arbor Crest Cliff House Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You don't come to Arbor Crest for a deep cellar — you come because you're sitting 450 feet above the Spokane River on a historic estate and someone hands you a glass of Washington wine. The list is short and entirely in-house, which tells you exactly what this place is: a winery first, restaurant second.
The list tops out around 40-60 bottles and stays squarely within Arbor Crest's own Columbia Valley portfolio — don't expect a Willamette Pinot or a Rhône import to wander in. What you get is a focused, estate-driven selection that leans on red blends and a handful of white options. The Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot round out the whites and straightforward reds, while the Dionysus Red Blend and Connoisseur's Red anchor the list for anyone wanting something with a bit more ambition. It's not adventurous, but it's honest.
The by-the-glass program runs 10-16 options, which is generous for a single-producer list — they're clearly rotating through their lineup rather than just pouring two options and calling it a day. Expect a mix of current releases across reds, whites, and blends, all sourced from the estate's Columbia Valley fruit.
Arbor Crest Sauvignon Blanc — $10
Estate-grown Columbia Valley Sauv Blanc at winery-direct pricing is about as straightforward a value play as you'll find — no retail markup padding, just the wine at a fair pour.
Arbor Crest Connoisseur's Red
Most people grab the Dionysus because the name is flashier, but the Connoisseur's Red is where the winery tends to put its more structured fruit — worth the ask.
Arbor Crest Cliff House Red
Retails around $10 and is effectively the house pour — fine for a casual glass on the patio, but if you're sitting down for a full dinner, spend a few dollars more and work up the list.
Arbor Crest Dionysus Red Blend + Mediterranean mezze board
A Columbia Valley red blend built on ripe dark fruit holds its own against olive oil, cured meats, and roasted peppers without getting lost — the estate's terrain and the food's origin story actually rhyme here.
The Bottom Line
Arbor Crest isn't trying to be a wine destination in the conventional sense — it IS the winery, and the restaurant is the excuse to stay longer. If you're into Washington wine and want to drink it somewhere genuinely stunning, this earns its trip.
Kendall Yards · Spokane · Winery and craft distillery tasting room with small bites
Browne Family's Spokane room is a confident single-producer tasting experience done right — fair prices, knowledgeable pours, and a genuine case for why Washington State deserves your attention. Send a friend here if they think Washington wine is just an also-ran.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Downtown / Riverside · Spokane · Barbecue / American Tavern
The Blackbird is a genuinely good barbecue tavern that simply doesn't care about wine, and the steep markups on uninspired bottles make that indifference expensive. Come for the smoked meats and a cold beer — if you insist on wine, grab the Milbrandt and move on.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Fondue / Upscale Casual
The Melting Pot Spokane isn't a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — but the Washington State anchors on this list are genuinely good, and if you stick to those, you'll drink well enough for the occasion. Come for the fondue experience, order the Ste. Michelle, and save the serious wine night for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Hotel cocktail bar and lounge with small plates
1919 won't blow any minds, but for a hotel bar in downtown Spokane it earns genuine respect for keeping Washington State producers front and center. Come for the room, stay for the Beresan — just don't expect any surprises in the pricing.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Hotel Rooftop/Terrace Bar
The Grand Terrace Bar is a great place to drink wine in Spokane — just not necessarily great wine. Come for the skyline, order the Riesling, and save the serious bottle hunting for elsewhere.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Wine Bar
Barrister is a genuine Wild Card: a serious urban winery tucked into Spokane's rail district that most wine travelers blow past on their way to Walla Walla. If you're in eastern Washington and you haven't stopped here, you owe yourself a visit.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Little Italy · San Diego · Mediterranean
Barra Oliba is doing something genuinely interesting for San Diego — a Spain-focused wine program in a polished Little Italy setting, backed by real culinary intent and a sommelier keeping things honest. We'd send a friend here without hesitation, especially if they're ready to let the staff steer. The full list isn't something we've been able to verify in detail, so consider this a strong lead worth confirming in person over a glass of Albariño.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Elektra's list is small and smart — a rare combination. The commitment to Greek, Lebanese, and Southern French producers gives it a personality most restaurants with three times the selection can't claim. If you're in the mood to drink something you haven't tried before without getting lectured about it, this list holds up.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Kitty Dare is punching well above its weight for an Atlanta restaurant wine list — fair prices, genuinely adventurous selections, and the rare willingness to pour all of it by the glass. We don't have visibility into service or food specifics, but the list alone is worth coming for. If you want a Lebanese white from 70-year-old vines for $13/glass, this is your place.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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