Spokane's Northwest anchor, doing the work
Downtown · Spokane · New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 17, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Mizuna Restaurant and Wine Bar’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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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
7th Ave / Dolores · Carmel By The Sea · New American
Seventh & Dolores isn't a destination wine list, but it's a respectable one that at least knows where it is geographically. Come for the steak, order the Wrath, and don't expect to go down any rabbit holes.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Vail · Vail · New American
Vin48 is a genuinely surprising wine program hiding inside a Colorado ski resort, and if you're a wine-first diner passing through Vail, it absolutely warrants a stop. The markups reflect the zip code more than we'd like, but the depth and curation of the list are the real deal.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Solvang · Solvang · New American
Root 246 is the rare hotel restaurant that actually earns your wine attention — a focused Santa Barbara County list with real producers, a sommelier who knows the material, and pricing that doesn't punish you for being curious. If you're passing through Solvang wine country, this is where you eat.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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