Safe Pours for a Long, Cheesy Night
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Fondue · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 7, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at The Melting Pot reads exactly like you'd expect from a national fondue chain — familiar labels, safe regions, nothing that's going to surprise you or embarrass you. It's designed to be approachable for the date-night crowd, and in that narrow lane, it mostly delivers. Don't come here expecting discovery; come here expecting a decent glass with your gruyère.
The list spans Washington State, California, Italy, and France, but the depth in each region is shallow. You'll find local pride picks like Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest holding down the Washington section, which is genuinely nice to see in a Spokane restaurant. California dominates by volume with the usual suspects — Meiomi, Kim Crawford sneaking in from New Zealand on the white side — but there's no real Italian or French producer that stands out from the data. It's a list built for comfort, not curiosity.
Ten to fifteen by-the-glass options is respectable for a fondue concept where the food experience is already the centerpiece. The pours seem to rotate with the menu seasons, but don't count on much turnover — this feels like a list that gets revisited annually at best. The Washington State representation by the glass is the strongest reason to engage here rather than just ordering a bottle.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling — null
Washington Riesling and melted cheese fondue is one of the more underrated pairings in casual dining — the wine's natural acidity cuts through the fat while the fruit holds up against bold flavors. Chateau Ste. Michelle is the benchmark producer for WA Riesling and it's priced reasonably enough to make it the smartest order on the list.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
Most tables here default to red, but this Riesling is actually the most food-versatile wine on the list for a multi-course fondue dinner. It works from cheese course through chocolate, which almost nothing else on the list can claim.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
Meiomi is everywhere, and The Melting Pot charges restaurant markup on a wine you can grab at any grocery store for $15. The sweetness doesn't do the savory fondue courses any favors either. Save your money.
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon + Filet mignon
Grand Estates Cab is built for exactly this — a crowd-friendly Washington red with enough structure to stand up to beef cooked tableside in hot broth. It's not a complicated wine, but it doesn't need to be when the star of the show is filet dipped in fondue.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Melting Pot in Spokane is not a wine destination, but it's not a wine disaster either. If you're already committing to a two-hour fondue experience, the list is functional enough to carry you through — just lean into the local Washington bottles and skip anything you recognize from a gas station endcap.
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
Central Park · Fredericksburg · Fondue
The Melting Pot Fredericksburg is a perfectly fine place to drink wine — as long as you're not coming for the wine. The list keeps up with the experience without elevating it, and you'll leave full and content, which is honestly what most people at this table are here for.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Arlington · Arlington · Fondue
The Melting Pot Arlington isn't a wine destination, but the Monday-through-Thursday half-price bottle deal makes it a legitimately good value if you time your visit right. Send a friend here for the fondue experience, just remind them to go on a weeknight.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
South Reno · Reno · Fondue
The Melting Pot in South Reno is a fun dinner experience if you're into the whole dip-your-own-food thing, but the wine list is purely functional — overpriced grocery store labels with no sense of adventure. Order the Prosecco, enjoy the chocolate fondue, and don't overthink it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.