Northwest Staples, Italian Comfort, No Surprises
Downtown · Spokane · Italian
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Martini's Downtown’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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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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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Wine Bar
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Toledo · Italian
Zia's isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's trying harder than most Italian spots in Toledo — fair prices, a mostly by-the-glass program, and enough Italian producers to keep things honest. Go for the Antinori, order the Riesling to impress your date, and leave Castle Rock for the grocery run.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Bravo! is a competent chain wine program — wide by-the-glass selection, a few Italian producers worth noting, and prices that are steep but not insulting. You're not coming here for the wine list, but you won't regret ordering either.
Crowd Pleasers
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.
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