Washington Wine Country Hiding in Plain Sight
Lakewood · Lakewood · Italian, Mediterranean
Reviewed April 9, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walking into The Adriatic, the wine list feels like a love letter to the Pacific Northwest — specifically to the Walla Walla and Columbia Valley producers that most people outside Washington still haven't discovered. White tablecloths, dim lighting, and a list that clocks in between 250 and 400 bottles tell you immediately this place takes wine seriously. It earned a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator in 2025, and the list backs that up.
The backbone of this list is Washington State, and it's stacked — Cayuse Vineyards, Leonetti Cellar, Quilceda Creek, and DeLille Cellars represent some of the most sought-after bottles the state produces, and they're all here. Italy fills out the next lane with heavy hitters: Gaja from Piedmont, Antinori and Sassicaia from Tuscany, and a Vietti Barolo Castiglione that deserves serious attention. California rounds things out with Silver Oak, Stag's Leap, Far Niente, and Cakebread — reliable crowd-pleasers that keep the table happy without overwhelming the Pacific Northwest identity of the list. The range from $40 to $300 gives you plenty of room to move, whether you're treating yourself or just want something honest on a Tuesday.
With 20 to 35 options by the glass at $12 to $18, the pour program here is genuinely generous for a fine dining room at this level. That range means you're not stuck nursing a single bottle if you want to explore — you can walk across Washington, California, and Italy in a single meal. Sommelier David Swartzmiller runs this program, so you can trust the glass pours aren't an afterthought.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — $65
Chateau Ste. Michelle's Canoe Ridge estate produces some of the most consistent Cabernet in Washington, and at $65 this is the easiest entry point on a list full of triple-digit bottles. It punches well above its price and won't leave you second-guessing the order.
Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019
On a list dominated by Washington Cabernet and California heavyweights, the Vietti Barolo Castiglione gets overlooked — but it shouldn't. The 2019 vintage in Piedmont was excellent, and Castiglione is Vietti's entry point into Barolo without any sacrifice in character. It's the most interesting bottle on the Italian side of the list and the right call if you're eating the Osso Buco.
Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay 2021
At $72, the Cakebread Chardonnay is the kind of wine that sounds good when someone else orders it. It's fine — technically fine — but it's also the most predictable, least exciting thing on a list this deep. There are better places to spend $72 here.
Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019 + Osso Buco
Braised veal shank needs something with structure, grip, and enough acidity to cut through the richness — Nebbiolo does exactly that. The Vietti Barolo brings dried cherry, tar, and firm tannins that make the Osso Buco taste better and vice versa. This is the pairing David Swartzmiller would tell you to order if you asked.
Tuesday — Half-price wine night every Tuesday — one of the better reasons to rearrange your week.
🔥 The Bottom Line
The Adriatic is the kind of wine program that makes you wish you lived in Lakewood just so you could come back on Tuesdays. Deep Washington list, a sommelier who clearly cares, and fair pricing — send your friends here.
Lakewood · Lakewood · American
Sarita is a genuinely solid neighborhood restaurant wine list that earns its Wine Spectator credential, especially on the Italian side. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's absolutely worth ordering a bottle rather than defaulting to cocktails — and in Lakewood, that's saying something.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lakewood · Lakewood · Seafood
Pier W holds its Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for good reason — the list is deep, the cellar is serious, and the setting makes every pour feel intentional. Bring a budget, bring a special occasion, and skip the Caymus.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Decatur · Decatur · Italian, Mediterranean
Café Lily is your dependable Decatur neighborhood restaurant that happens to take its wine seriously enough to earn a Wine Spectator nod — nothing flashy, but never a disappointment. Go on a Tuesday, order the lamb, and let the half-price wine night do the rest.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Uptown Park · Houston · Italian, Mediterranean
Lombardi is a dependable upscale Italian with a wine list that earns its Award of Excellence — Italy is well-represented and the prestige bottles are genuinely exciting. Pricing leans steep and the program could use more energy, but for Houston's Uptown Park crowd looking for a Barolo with their pappardelle, this delivers.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Uptown · Dallas · Italian, Mediterranean
Avanti is pulling off something rare in Dallas: genuinely great Italian bottles at prices that feel like a Wednesday night deal every night of the week. Wednesday half-price wine just makes a great deal mathematically irresponsible — go now.
Old World Focus
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.