Northwest Staples, Italian Comfort, No Surprises
Downtown · Spokane · Italian
Reviewed April 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Martini's Downtown reads like a greatest hits of Pacific Northwest grocery-store staples — familiar names, no curveballs. At $7–$11 a glass, you're not getting gouged, and for a casual Italian spot in downtown Spokane, that's actually a reasonable starting point. It's the kind of list that won't embarrass you, but it won't impress your wine-curious date either.
The bottle list runs 40–70 deep, almost entirely planted in Washington and Columbia Valley with a California section that leans heavily on household names. Chateau Ste. Michelle anchors the Washington side — a safe anchor, honestly — and Columbia Crest and Hogue round out the middle tier. There's no real reach into Oregon Pinot or anything from the Walla Walla AVA's smaller producers, which is a missed opportunity for a restaurant this close to some genuinely exciting Washington wine country. Woodbridge and 15 Hands showing up suggests the list isn't being curated so much as replenished.
Ten to sixteen by-the-glass options is a decent spread for this format, and the $7–$11 price window is refreshingly honest for a sit-down Italian restaurant. Don't expect a rotating program or anything poured from a half-opened bottle of something interesting — this is a set-it-and-forget-it situation. Grab a Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling by the glass and call it a night.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — $8
Washington Riesling at this price point is one of the best deals in American wine — bright, food-friendly, and genuinely good with Italian-leaning food. Ste. Michelle does this consistently well, and at likely $8 a glass, you're getting real quality for the money.
Hogue Cellars Riesling
Most people walk right past Hogue for something with more brand recognition, but their Columbia Valley Riesling punches above its price tag. It's a sleeper on this list — off-dry, crisp, and more interesting than the Woodbridge crowd tends to notice.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
You can buy this at the grocery store for $8 a bottle. Whatever markup they're putting on it here makes it a tough sell when Chateau Ste. Michelle is sitting right next to it for probably a similar price.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling + Chicken Marsala
The Marsala sauce's earthy sweetness and the Riesling's natural fruit and acidity create a genuinely complementary contrast — the wine cuts through the richness without fighting the dish. It's an underrated pairing that actually makes both better.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Martini's Downtown is a perfectly solid neighborhood Italian spot with a wine list that does its job without any ambition. If you're eating pasta in Spokane and want a fair-priced pour of something local, you won't leave unhappy — just don't come looking for discovery.
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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
Downtown Provo · Provo · Italian
La Dolce Vita earns its stripes as a dependable neighborhood Italian with a wine list that actually respects the cuisine it's serving. It's not a destination wine program, but in Provo, it's one of the better options on the table — and that house pour at $4 a glass is almost disarmingly honest.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
East Odessa Retail Corridor · Odessa · Italian
The wine list at Olive Garden Odessa does exactly what Olive Garden's wine list is supposed to do — it's inoffensive, familiar, and gets out of the way of the breadsticks. If you're here for a serious glass of wine, you're in the wrong zip code.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Lakeland · Lakeland · Italian
Carrabba's isn't where you go to discover wine, but it's where you go to drink something decent without getting ripped off. Send a friend here if they want a familiar Italian night with a glass that makes sense — just steer them toward the Italian side of the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
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.