Harbor Views, Wednesday Deals, Middling Markups
Waterfront / Bellwether · Bellingham · American Bar & Grill, Waterfront Seafood · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 10, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Loft Restaurant’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Loft reads exactly like what you'd expect from a waterfront bar and grill in a mid-size Pacific Northwest city — recognizable labels, approachable prices on paper, and nothing that's going to surprise you. It gets the job done for the crowd that came here for the harbor sunset and the ribeye, not to geek out over grower Champagne.
The list leans hard on familiar American brands — La Crema, Meiomi, J. Lohr, Decoy, Chateau Ste. Michelle — with a few token international entries like Kris Pinot Grigio and Adobe Sauvignon Blanc from Chile rounding things out. There's a nod to local Washington producers with Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest H3, which is appropriate given the setting, but the list stops well short of showcasing the real depth of Washington wine country. No Walla Walla Syrahs, no Yakima Valley single-vineyard anything — just the safe, grocery-store-shelf tier of Northwest wine. The 'wines from around the world' descriptor on their menu is generous; it's more like wines from the top shelf at Total Wine.
There are an estimated 10–15 pours by the glass, running $8–$12, which is reasonable for Bellingham. The selection mirrors the bottle list — crowd-pleasing whites and reds you already know. Rotation doesn't appear aggressive, so don't expect anything seasonal or exciting showing up in your glass.
Columbia Crest H3 Merlot Horse Heaven Hills 2020 — $36
Yes, the markup is steep relative to retail, but H3 Merlot is genuinely good wine from a strong Washington appellation — structured, dark-fruited, and actually suited to the steak-heavy menu. At $36 it's the most honest drink on the list relative to what you're getting in your glass.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling Columbia Valley 2022
Most people at a bar and grill walk right past the Riesling. Don't. Ste. Michelle's Columbia Valley Riesling is a genuinely versatile wine — off-dry, bright, with enough acidity to cut through any seafood special they're running that night. It's marked up aggressively at $28, but it's the most food-friendly bottle on the list and almost nobody orders it.
Kris Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2022
A $13 retail bottle sitting at $32 on the menu is a 146% markup for a wine that tastes like a $13 bottle of Pinot Grigio. There is nothing wrong with Kris, but there is nothing right about paying $32 for it when you could order a cocktail and come out ahead.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling Columbia Valley 2022 + Local fish special
Whatever the fish special is that night, the Riesling handles it. The off-dry character balances any glaze or sauce, the acidity keeps the palate clean between bites, and you're drinking a Washington wine at a Washington waterfront restaurant — that's the whole point.
Wednesday — Half-price bottles on select wines, all day Wednesday, dine-in only. Happy hour also runs daily 3:30–6:00 PM in the bar with bar program specials.
The Bottom Line
The Loft is a Reliable waterfront spot where the wine list will never embarrass you but will rarely excite you — show up on a Wednesday, grab a half-price bottle of the Columbia Crest or Ste. Michelle Riesling, and let the harbor view do the heavy lifting. Don't come here expecting to geek out; do come here expecting a perfectly decent glass of wine with a genuinely great view.
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The Admiralty Lounge isn't a wine destination, but it's doing more with a short list than most bars in its class — half-price bottles at happy hour and actual Sherry on the menu are the kind of moves that earn goodwill. Come for the cocktails, stay for the Fino.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Bellingham · Seafood / Oyster Bar
Roe isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — the list is fair, the pricing is reasonable, and if you know to order the Riesling, you're eating and drinking well on the water. Send a friend here for oysters; just don't send them expecting a deep cellar.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lummi Island (regional destination) · Bellingham · Fine Dining / Farm-to-Table
The Willows Inn is as serious about wine as it is about the 14 ingredients it sourced from within a mile of your table. You're paying destination prices across the board, but the list delivers at that level — this is a once-in-a-while splurge that earns it.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Bellingham · Brewpub / American pub fare
Aslan Depot shouldn't have a wine list this good, and yet here we are. If you're in Bellingham and want natural wines in a no-fuss setting, this is the move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Bellingham · New American / Wood-Fired Seasonal
Carnal is doing something genuinely rare in Bellingham: a tight, adventurous wine list that matches the ambition of the kitchen. It's not deep, but it's honest — and for a 17-bottle list, that's more than enough reason to trust it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Bellingham · Pizza
Come to La Fiamma for the wood-fired pizza and the vibe — both are worth it. Come for the wine and you'll be disappointed. Order a cocktail or a beer and revisit when they decide the list deserves the same care as the kitchen.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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