Estate Views, Estate Pours, Zero Pretense
South Hill ยท Spokane ยท Mediterranean-inspired ยท Visit Website โ
Reviewed April 17, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You're eating on a National Historic Landmark perched 450 feet above the Spokane River โ the list doesn't need to be Burgundy-heavy to justify the trip. The wine program is entirely Arbor Crest, front to back, which is either charming or limiting depending on how you feel about single-producer menus. We lean charming.
Everything poured here comes from the estate's Columbia Valley program, so if you walked in hoping to explore Washington State's broader bench โ Walla Walla Syrahs, Yakima Valley Rieslings โ you'll need to recalibrate expectations. What's here is a tight roster of 30-50 bottles: the Dionysus Red Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc doing the heavy lifting. The upside is that the team knows these wines cold, and bottle prices staying in the $30โ$80 range means you're not getting punished for dining somewhere with a jaw-dropping view. The downside is zero range โ this is a winery restaurant, not a wine list.
With 10โ20 glass pours pulling from the same estate lineup, you're essentially working through Arbor Crest's tasting menu one pour at a time. That's not a knock โ it's actually a decent way to figure out which bottle you want to take home on your way out. Rotation appears tied to seasonal releases rather than a true by-the-glass program with outside producers.
Arbor Crest Sauvignon Blanc โ $30
At the bottom of the price range, this is the move for anyone who wants something crisp and food-friendly without overthinking it. The Columbia Valley climate does right by Sauvignon Blanc, and it goes glass-for-glass with the charcuterie spread better than anything heavier on the list.
Arbor Crest Dionysus Red Blend
Most people default to the Cab because it's familiar, but the Dionysus blend is where the winery actually shows some personality. It's the kind of wine that benefits from being in a relaxed outdoor setting with a cheese board rather than a formal tasting โ context makes it.
Arbor Crest Cabernet Sauvignon
It's fine, but it's also the most predictable order on a list that doesn't have much variance to begin with. You're paying for a name you already recognize when the more interesting bet is right next to it.
Arbor Crest Merlot + Charcuterie and cheese board
Columbia Valley Merlot tends to run riper and softer than its European counterparts, which makes it more forgiving across a mixed charcuterie spread โ cured meats, harder cheeses, olives. No single element bullies the wine.
๐ฒ The Bottom Line
This is not the place you go to geek out on a deep list โ it's a historic estate where the wine is the house wine and the house is spectacular. Send your friends here for the experience; just set expectations that the list begins and ends with Arbor Crest.
Kendall Yards ยท Spokane ยท Winery and craft distillery tasting room with small bites
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Downtown / Riverside ยท Spokane ยท 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 โ if you insist on wine, grab the Milbrandt and move on.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane ยท Spokane ยท Fondue / Upscale Casual
The Melting Pot Spokane isn't a wine destination, and it's not trying to be โ 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 ยท Spokane ยท 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 โ just don't expect any surprises in the pricing.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane ยท Spokane ยท Hotel Rooftop/Terrace Bar
The Grand Terrace Bar is a great place to drink wine in Spokane โ 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 ยท Spokane ยท 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
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