Wednesday nights just became your new religion
North Indian Trail · Spokane · Italian
Reviewed April 10, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walk into Clementi's and the dark wood and white tablecloths tell you exactly what kind of wine list you're getting: Napa-heavy, California-confident, built for steakhouse comfort. The 120-label book is a serious attempt for a family-owned Italian spot in Spokane — this isn't a one-page laminated afterthought. It signals a restaurant that genuinely cares, even if the pricing occasionally betrays that goodwill.
The list leans hard into Napa and Sonoma, with a respectable nod toward Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for the Oregon contingent — a smart call for a Pacific Northwest room. Marquee names like Cakebread and Stag's Leap anchor the list and give it credibility, though the heavy reliance on recognizable California labels means the adventurous drinker will hit a ceiling pretty fast. There's no real Italian wine depth to speak of, which is a strange blind spot for a restaurant cooking Veal Parmesan and Lobster Ravioli. That said, 120 labels in this market is genuinely impressive, and the $32 entry point keeps it accessible.
Twelve by-the-glass options is a solid count — enough to work through dinner without repeating yourself. The price band runs $9 to $18, which is reasonable for the Spokane market and the upscale setting. We'd push staff on what's rotating and what's been sitting open for three days, but the selection appears to cover whites, reds, and at least one credible mid-tier option in each.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir — $32
At the low end of the bottle range, this is your Oregon lifeline in a California-dominated list — and Willamette Pinot is a natural partner for the pasta and lighter meat dishes on this menu. Don't sleep on it.
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Most tables in a steakhouse are reaching for the Cab, which means this bottle gets ignored. That's a mistake. Oregon Pinot at Clementi's price point quietly outperforms its sticker, and it's the most food-versatile bottle on the list.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
At $110, you're paying double retail for a wine you can buy at your local shop for $55. It's a good Cab — Stag's Leap always delivers — but that 100% markup is a confidence tax, and your wallet will feel it.
Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay 2021 + Lobster Ravioli
Cakebread Chard is big, buttery, and oak-forward — exactly what you want cutting through a rich lobster filling in cream sauce. It's an overpriced pour at $75, but if you're ordering the ravioli, this is the move.
Wednesday — Half-price bottles from the regular list after 5pm
✔️ The Bottom Line
Clementi's is a genuinely solid neighborhood anchor with a wine list that punches above its weight for Spokane — but show up on a Wednesday after 5pm when half-price bottles turn a steep list into a genuinely great deal. Full price on a Tuesday? Order carefully.
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
West Toledo / Reynolds Corner · Toledo · Italian
There's one reason to come here for wine: Thursday. Half-price bottles on a standing weekly basis is a genuinely good deal, especially on the Santa Margherita. Any other night, the markups are steep and the list doesn't justify them.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
West Toledo/Monroe Street · Toledo · Italian
Carrabba's Toledo isn't a destination for wine — but it's not an embarrassment either. The Ruffino Chianti Classico alone earns its keep, and if you stick to the Italian side of the list, you'll drink reasonably well without drama.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
La Jolla · Chula Vista · Italian
Marisi is a reliable Italian wine list with genuine ambition hiding behind a steep markup structure — the producers are right, the regions are right, but you'll pay for the privilege. Go for the Produttori Barbaresco and the Pre-Phylloxera Barbera, and you'll leave satisfied.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.