Spokane's Northwest anchor, doing the work
Downtown · Spokane · New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 17, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walk into Mizuna and the brick walls and candlelight immediately signal that someone cared about the room — and the wine list follows that same energy. It's not a sprawling cellar book, but it's curated with obvious intent toward the Pacific Northwest. You get the sense this list was built by someone with a point of view, not just filled out to check a box.
The focus here is unambiguously Washington State, with L'Ecole No 41 and Barnard Griffin anchoring the list as regional workhorses — solid picks that represent the Columbia Valley without being flashy about it. Charles Smith's Kung Fu Girl Riesling makes an appearance, which is a reliable crowd-pleaser, though its markup undercuts some of the goodwill. There's a balanced nod to Old World selections too, so you're not stuck if you want to escape the Northwest bubble for a night. The gaps show up in depth — this isn't a list that rewards the obsessive wine hunter, but it covers the bases for the room it's in.
With roughly 10–14 pours by the glass running $9–$15, the by-the-glass program is genuinely useful for the neighborhood fine-dining format Mizuna operates in. The range covers enough ground to match their vegetarian-friendly, seasonal menu without forcing everyone to commit to a bottle. Rotation appears limited — this reads more like a stable program than one that's constantly experimenting.
L'Ecole No 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley — $60
At under two times retail, this is the most defensible markup on the list — and L'Ecole makes a genuinely serious Columbia Valley Cab that holds its own against bottles costing twice as much elsewhere in the state.
Barnard Griffin Sauvignon Blanc
Most people sleep on Washington Sauvignon Blanc in favor of New Zealand or the Loire, but Barnard Griffin punches well above its profile — crisp, textured, and a natural fit with Mizuna's vegetable-forward dishes.
Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling
At a 140% markup on a $15 retail bottle, you're paying a premium for a wine that's essentially a grocery store staple. It's a fine Riesling — but not a $36 Riesling.
Barnard Griffin Sauvignon Blanc + Butternut squash ravioli
The wine's bright acidity and subtle herbaceous quality cut right through the richness of the squash filling without steamrolling the dish — it's the kind of pairing that makes a vegetarian entrée feel complete.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Mizuna is doing honest, thoughtful work with a Northwest-leaning list in a city that doesn't always demand it — and that counts for something. Watch the markup on the more recognizable labels, anchor your order to L'Ecole or Barnard Griffin, and you'll leave happy.
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
Broadway corridor · Fort Wayne · New American
Rune is doing something genuinely rare for its zip code: building a wine list with a real identity. Come on a Wednesday, order the Ovum, and feel good about finding a place like this.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
West Plano · Plano · New American
CraftWay Kitchen isn't trying to be a wine destination and doesn't pretend to be — but the markups are fair, the glass program is wide, and there's enough on the list to drink well with a solid meal. Send your friends here for dinner; just don't send them here for a wine education.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Clemmons · Winston Salem · New American
Sixty Vines is a solid, reliable wine stop in Winston-Salem — the by-the-glass breadth is real and the staff knows their stuff, but the list reads like a greatest hits album rather than anything adventurous. Come for the volume, stay for the pizza, but don't expect to have your mind changed about wine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.