Spokane's Italian anchor actually knows wine
South Perry · Spokane · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated November 2026
Reviewed April 7, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Sorella’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The list reads like someone actually cared — Italian-forward, regionally coherent, and priced in a range that doesn't make you wince. For Spokane, this is a small win worth celebrating. The format is tidy and navigable, which matters more than people admit.
Sorella leans hard into the Italian classics and earns it: Barolo from Piedmont, Brunello di Montalcino, and Chianti Classico Riserva anchor the reds, giving you a proper tour of the peninsula without needing to squint for relevance. The whites show some genuine thought — Vermentino from Sardinia and Arneis from Roero are the kind of picks that signal someone went beyond Pinot Grigio, and we respect that. A Washington State Sangiovese from Columbia Valley rounds things out as a local nod, and it's a smart one — Columbia Valley Sangiovese is genuinely undersung. The list tops out around $75, so this isn't a deep cellar, but at 40-70 bottles it covers the bases without padding.
Eight to fourteen pours by the glass is a healthy range, landing between $9 and $14 — honest pricing for what's on offer. The glass program appears to mirror the bottle list's Italian focus, which means you're likely getting Chianti Classico or Vermentino rather than generic house wine. No active rotation program is visible, but the core selection is strong enough that it doesn't need gimmicks.
Vermentino Sardinia — $12
Sardinian Vermentino at this price point is the kind of move that makes a wine list trustworthy. It's fresh, saline, and cuts right through olive oil and seafood without pretending to be Burgundy. Order it by the glass and feel smug about it.
Arneis Roero Piedmont
Most people at an Italian restaurant default to red, which means the Arneis sits there unordered and underappreciated. Roero Arneis is nutty, floral, and dry — nothing else on a typical Italian list drinks quite like it. If you're splitting a pasta course, this is the move.
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany
Brunello at a mid-range neighborhood Italian spot rarely makes sense. The bottle cap here likely hits near $75, which is a stretch for a wine that needs age and context to really deliver. Unless you know the specific producer, you're probably paying a premium for a name. Save Brunello for when you can actually vet the vintage.
Washington State Sangiovese Columbia Valley + Classic Italian pasta with red sauce
Columbia Valley Sangiovese has the acid structure and red-fruit profile to go toe-to-toe with tomato-based pasta without either overwhelming or disappearing. It's also the kind of local-meets-Italian story that makes the meal feel intentional rather than accidental.
The Bottom Line
Sorella is the Italian wine list Spokane needed — focused, fairly priced, and Italian enough to feel honest. It's not going to blow minds, but it'll absolutely do right by your dinner.
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
· Dacula · Italian
Antonetas isn't a wine destination, and it isn't trying to be — it's a family-friendly neighborhood Italian with a wine list that covers the basics and stays out of the way. If you're after a solid glass of something red with your Lasagna in a no-fuss setting, you won't be disappointed. Just don't show up expecting to geek out over the list.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Alpharetta · Italian
Crust is a solid neighborhood Italian spot where the wine list is a supporting player, not the headliner — and that's fine. Come for the rigatoni alla vodka and garlic knots; order a glass of whatever red they're pouring and don't overthink it. We'd send a friend here for dinner without hesitation, just not for the wine list alone.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Marietta · Italian
Vespucci's isn't a wine destination, but it doesn't pretend to be — and that honesty is refreshing. The one move that earns real respect here is the Monday half-price bottle deal, which turns an ordinary weeknight into a genuinely good value. Show up on a Monday, order the Eggplant Parmigiana, grab a bottle at half price, and you've had a solid dinner without thinking too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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