Pacific Northwest Beef and Bottles Done Right
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Steakhouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 7, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Spencer's for Steaks 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 wine list lands exactly where you'd expect a hotel steakhouse list to land — competent, regionally minded, and priced for expense accounts. The Pacific Northwest lean is a smart move for Spokane, and at 100-plus bottles, there's enough here to keep wine people occupied without overwhelming the table ordering the bone-in cowboy.
The list leans into Washington and Oregon producers, which makes sense — you're in the heart of the Inland Northwest, and the local stuff genuinely holds up against the national names. Browne Family Vineyards makes a strong showing, and the Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon is the kind of workhorse bottle that belongs on a steakhouse list. The bottle range runs $45 to $200, which covers both the budget-conscious diner and the table celebrating something. That said, don't come here hunting for left-field Jura pours or anything that requires an explanation — this list was built to move next to ribeyes, not to challenge anyone's assumptions.
Twelve to twenty glass pours is a solid spread for a steakhouse, and the $12–$22 range keeps things accessible without skimping on quality. The by-the-glass program skews predictably toward big reds, which is appropriate but leaves white wine and rosé drinkers with fewer interesting options. Rotation appears minimal — this reads more like a set-it list than one that gets refreshed with seasonal pours.
Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon — $45
At the low end of the bottle range, the Heritage Cab punches above its price point for a steakhouse list. Washington Cab and a prime ribeye is not a complicated equation, and this bottle makes it affordable to solve.
Browne Family Vineyards
Most tables here are going to reach for a California name they recognize, but Browne Family is a serious Walla Walla producer that deserves the spotlight. It's a local story worth telling, and the quality backs it up.
Top-end $200 bottle selections
At the ceiling of this list, you're paying full steakhouse markup on bottles you could find at retail for significantly less. Save the big spend for a wine-focused restaurant where the cellar actually earns that price tag.
Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon + Bone-in Cowboy Cut
A big, fatty, bone-in cut needs tannin and structure to cut through it — that's Cab's whole job. The Heritage bottle keeps the spend reasonable while the wine does exactly what you need it to do against that much beef.
The Bottom Line
Spencer's is a dependable steakhouse wine list that leans into its Pacific Northwest backyard without getting adventurous about it. If you're here for the steak and want a solid Washington bottle to go with it, you'll leave satisfied — just don't expect the list to surprise you.
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
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
Hal's delivers a competent, Napa-forward bottle list that does exactly what a steakhouse wine program is supposed to do — just without much surprise or value mercy. Send a friend here if they want a reliable big-red experience; warn them to leave the credit card breathing room.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Houston · Steakhouse
Perry's is a reliable steakhouse wine list — nothing that'll make you rethink your palate, but enough to drink well with red meat if you know where to look. The fortified and dessert wine section is genuinely worth your attention; the rest is competent but forgettable.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlanta · Steakhouse
New York Prime's wine list is exactly what it needs to be for its audience — safe, recognizable, and priced for expense accounts. If you know what you want and don't mind paying for it, you'll be fine; just don't come looking for discovery.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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