Solid PNW pours, but watch the markup
Downtown · Spokane · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 19, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Spencer's for Steak and Chops’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Spencer's looks the part — dark wood, leather booths, the whole classic steakhouse costume. The wine list matches the room: approachable, Pacific Northwest-leaning, and built to sell bottles to expense-account diners without too many questions. It's not trying to surprise you, and it mostly doesn't.
The list leans hard into Washington and Oregon, which is the right call for a Spokane steakhouse. Browne Family Vineyards and Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon anchor the local representation, and there's enough variety across Cabernet, Merlot, and red blends to keep a table happy. That said, don't come looking for depth beyond the Pacific Northwest comfort zone — this is a Cab-and-steak list, full stop. Burgundy hunters and Barolo fans will find slim pickings.
Twelve options by the glass is a respectable count for a hotel steakhouse, and the $10–$18 range keeps things accessible. The selections skew predictable — expect Washington reds to dominate — but there's enough there to find something decent without committing to a bottle. Rotation appears minimal; this list feels like it hasn't changed much since the menu did.
Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon — $45
At the lower end of the bottle range, this local Washington Cab delivers what you want with a Spencer's steak without burning a hole in your pocket. It's the honest, no-nonsense choice on a list that can get expensive fast.
Browne Family Vineyards
Most tables will reach for the bigger names, but Browne Family is a Walla Walla producer that punches above its price point. It's a local gem that gets overlooked when Duckhorn is sitting right next to it on the list.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 2020
At $52 a bottle, you're paying more than 2.5x retail for a wine that's widely available at every grocery store in Washington state. This is a $20 bottle — a fine one — but not at this price. Order it by the glass if you must, or spring for something you can't grab at Costco.
Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon + Filet Mignon
A Washington Cab with the filet is the platonic ideal of this restaurant. The wine's dark fruit and structure cut through the richness of the beef without overpowering the tenderness of the cut. It's not a revelation — it's just right.
The Bottom Line
Spencer's is a dependable hotel steakhouse with a wine list that does its job and not much more — local producers, fair glass count, and markups that range from tolerable to eyebrow-raising. Order the Heritage Cab, skip the Chateau Ste. Michelle at bottle price, and enjoy your steak.
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
· Plano · Steakhouse
Steve Fields clearly puts its energy into the kitchen, not the cellar — and at these price points, that imbalance is hard to ignore. Order the Evesham Wood if it's still there, and otherwise come for the steak, not the wine list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· San Diego · Steakhouse
Greystone is a reliable, if predictable, steakhouse wine list — the kind where you can always find something decent but you'll rarely be surprised. Skip the Opus splurge, order the Paradigm, and you'll walk out satisfied.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· San Diego · Steakhouse
Morton's San Diego is spending more energy on the wedge salad than the wine list, and it shows. Come for the steak, order carefully, and don't expect much beyond the obvious.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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