Great views, safe wines, solid Northwest picks
Coeur d'Alene · Spokane · Northwest steak & seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 17, 2026
Wingman Metrics
You're floating on Lake Coeur d'Alene, the sun is setting, and the wine list lands in your hands — it's fine. It does the job without embarrassing itself, leaning hard into Washington and Idaho bottles that match the room's Pacific Northwest energy, even if ambition isn't exactly on the menu.
The list sticks close to home: Washington Cabernet, Idaho Chardonnay, Oregon Pinot territory — all sensible calls for a steak-and-salmon crowd. Producers like Ste. Chapelle and Chateau Ste. Michelle are reliable workhorses, not exciting discoveries. There's a local bright spot in Coeur d'Alene Cellars, whose Viognier represents actual regional character worth seeking out. Don't come here expecting a deep-cut Willamette Pinot or a rogue natural wine — the list is built for the resort-casual diner who wants something recognizable with their prime rib.
Eight to twelve pours by the glass gives you reasonable range without overwhelming anyone. The pricing runs $10–$16 per glass, which sounds fair until you do the math and realize you're paying full-bottle retail for two pours. The Coeur d'Alene Cellars Viognier at $11 is the standout here — everything else skews toward crowd-pleaser territory.
Coeur d'Alene Cellars Viognier — $11/glass
At roughly 267% markup versus retail, this is actually the most reasonable pour on the glass list — and it's the most interesting bottle they carry. Local producer, genuine character, and it belongs on this lake.
Coeur d'Alene Cellars Viognier
Most tables are going to reach for the Washington Cab or a Pinot Gris, but this Viognier from a local Coeur d'Alene producer is the one wine on the list with a real sense of place. Floral and stone-fruity, it's built for the view you're sitting in front of.
Round Hill White Zinfandel
At $8 a glass on a $7 retail bottle, this is the worst value calculation on the list — and it's White Zinfandel. No notes.
Pacific Northwest Pinot Gris + Cedar-planked salmon
Classic for a reason: the Pinot Gris has enough body and stone fruit to stand up to the smoky cedar char without bulldozing the salmon. It's the easiest call on the menu.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Cedars earns its crowd on the strength of the setting, not the wine list — but the Northwest-focused selections are honest and approachable enough that you won't be reaching for a cocktail instead. Just order the Viognier, watch the lake, and don't look too closely at the per-glass math.
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
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