Local Pride, But The Prices Tell A Different Story
South Hill · Spokane · Mediterranean · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 7, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Europa Restaurant & Bakery’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Europa reads like a love letter to Washington State — and honestly, we're here for that instinct. But flip past the local pride and the pricing starts to sting in ways that feel less like hospitality and more like a toll booth. Sixty-plus bottles sounds generous until you realize most of them are carrying markups that would make a Vegas steakhouse blush.
The Washington State focus is genuinely commendable — you've got Leonetti, L'Ecole 41, Amavi, and Dusted Valley all sharing real estate, which is a respectable lineup for a neighborhood Mediterranean spot. Italy gets a nod with the Damilano 'Lecinquevigne' Barolo and Palama Primitivo, adding just enough old-world credibility to keep things interesting. California fills in the gaps without doing anything particularly noteworthy. The problem isn't the selection — it's that bottles like the Chateau Ste. Michelle Cold Creek Riesling (retail $12, listed at $45) and the Altos del Plata Malbec (retail $13, listed at $46) make it feel like the list was priced by someone who never heard of good will.
The by-the-glass program clocks in at 12-18 options, which is a decent spread for a restaurant this size. We don't have confirmed glass pricing, but given the bottle markup pattern here, expect to pay accordingly. There's no evidence of a rotating program or any effort to keep things fresh — what's on the list appears to be what's always on the list.
Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon — $105
At roughly a 50% markup over retail, the Pepper Bridge Cab is the one bottle on this list where Europa isn't gouging you. Pepper Bridge is a Walla Walla institution making serious, age-worthy Cabernet — this is the play if you're going to spend money here.
Damilano 'Lecinquevigne' Barolo
Most people ordering at a Spokane Mediterranean spot are reaching for a local Washington red, which means this Barolo gets overlooked. Damilano is a solid, traditional Barolo producer and 'Lecinquevigne' is a well-regarded bottling — it's the most interesting wine on the list and most tables will walk right past it.
Chateau Ste. Michelle 'Cold Creek' Riesling
A $12 retail bottle listed at $45 is a 275% markup — that's not a restaurant charging for service and experience, that's a restaurant betting you don't know any better. Cold Creek Riesling is a good wine, but not at nearly four times its shelf price.
Palama Primitivo + Rack of Lamb
Primitivo's dark fruit, rustic earthiness, and firm structure go toe-to-toe with lamb without bullying it — it's a southern Italian grape that was practically built for roasted meat, and it's one of the more distinctive bottles on the list.
The Bottom Line
Europa has genuine ambition in its Washington State selections and the bones of a list worth respecting — but the markup strategy on everything below the $100 mark is hard to forgive. Go for the Pepper Bridge, skip the grocery-store bottles at restaurant-robbery prices.
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
· 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
· Atlanta · Mediterranean
Fia has the bones of a genuinely good wine program — thoughtful white selections, a few hidden gems, and a Champagne section that sets a mood — but steep markups and a list that doesn't stray far from the expected hold it back from greatness. Go for the Aligoté or the Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, skip the trophy bottles, and you'll drink well without feeling taken.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Monterey · Mediterranean
Dametra Cafe isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be one either — and that honesty is refreshing. The sparkling selection is genuinely fun, prices are fair across the board, and the few left-field picks like Chateau Musar Jeune give the list just enough personality. If you're in Monterey and want a bottle that doesn't feel like a markup shakedown, this is a safe call.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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