Two wines and a prayer, Spokane.
West Spokane · Spokane · Modern American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 10, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Downriver Grill’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
You flip open the menu at Downriver Grill hoping a neighborhood gem has done something interesting with Washington wine country, and instead you find two options. Two. A Chardonnay and a house red — and that's the program.
The list is anchored entirely in Washington state, which sounds like a noble local-focus story until you realize it's just two wines. The Townsend Chardonnay and the house DRG Relentless Red cover exactly zero ground for anyone with even mild preferences. There's no Cab Franc, no Syrah from the Columbia Valley, no Riesling from Yakima — regions that are practically in the restaurant's backyard. For a casual fine dining spot that's been around twenty-plus years in this city, that's a missed opportunity of staggering proportions.
Two pours by the glass, both priced between $7.50 and $8 — which is genuinely fair and nearly the only thing to praise here. There is no rotation, no seasonal add, no guest pour keeping things interesting. What you see today is what you saw last year.
DRG Relentless Red — $8/glass, $30/bottle
At $8 a glass it's not going to blow your mind, but the markup against a $20 retail bottle is about as restrained as you'll find anywhere in Spokane. If you're having a burger and just want something easy and red, this is the move.
Townsend Chardonnay
At $7.50 a glass against a $12 retail price, the margin is thin and the pour is honest. Washington Chardonnay doesn't always get its due, and if you're getting the salmon, this is the only logical call on the menu.
DRG Relentless Red (bottle)
The $30 bottle price against a $20 retail tag is a 50% markup — not egregious, but for a house blend with zero pedigree information on the menu, committing to a full bottle feels like a gamble that costs more than it should.
Townsend Chardonnay + Salmon
Washington Chardonnay and Pacific salmon is a regional handshake that makes obvious sense. The Chardonnay has enough weight to stand up to the fish without steamrolling it, and at $7.50 a glass you're not sweating the bill.
The Bottom Line
Downriver Grill has clearly earned its neighborhood loyalty over two decades — just not on the strength of its wine program. Come for the steak, drink whatever lands in front of you, and manage your expectations accordingly.
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
Healdsburg · Sonoma · Modern American
Valette is the wine country restaurant experience done right — deeply local, properly staffed, and serious about what's in the glass, even if the markups ask you to pay for the zip code. Send your friends here if they're already in Healdsburg; just tell them to skip the Phelps.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Annapolis Towne Centre · Annapolis · Modern American
Cooper's Hawk Annapolis is exactly what it is — a well-run, corporate winery restaurant where the wine list exists entirely in-house and the experience is built for people who want wine to be easy, not educational. Send your parents here without hesitation; send your wine-obsessed friend somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / Penn Square · Lancaster · Modern American
Plough isn't a destination wine list, but it's a fair and functional one — honest pricing, decent glass selection, and just enough global range to keep things interesting. If you're in Lancaster for the food and the vibe, the wine program won't let you down; just don't come expecting to be surprised.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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