Pacific Northwest Pours Done Right Downtown
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Seafood
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 7, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Riv’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 Riv's wine list reads like a love letter to the Pacific Northwest — Washington and Oregon front and center, with California filling in the gaps. It's a focused, purposeful list that actually makes sense alongside fresh oysters and Dungeness crab. Not trying to be everything to everyone, and that's a good thing.
The list leans hard into Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Columbia Valley whites, which is exactly what you want at a seafood spot in Spokane. Producers like Foris, Ponzi, Lemelson, and Willamette Valley Vineyards show some real curation — these aren't just filler names you find at every grocery store. The bottle range of $38–$110 is approachable without being stingy, though we'd love to see a deeper cellar cut and a few more adventurous picks outside the PNW comfort zone. Gaps show up in sparkling and anything European, which would genuinely elevate a raw bar program.
Eight to fourteen options by the glass is a solid pour program for a seafood restaurant — enough to match courses without overwhelming decision fatigue. The selection covers the right bases: crisp whites, Pinot Noir, rosé, and a white blend for the uninitiated. At $11–$18 a glass, Tuesday is when this list really sings.
Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Gris 2023 — $14/glass
At $14 a glass with retail around $22, this is one of the most honest pours on the list. Ponzi's Pinot Gris is a proper Willamette workhorse — textured, food-friendly, and built for seafood. Order two.
Roco ReJuvinate White Blend 2023
Most people walk right past a white blend on a menu, but Roco's ReJuvinate is worth stopping for. It's a collaborative Oregon project with real intent behind it — bright, easy-drinking, and at $12 a glass it's the lowest barrier to entry on the list for something genuinely interesting.
Argyle Nuthouse Chardonnay 2021
Twenty bucks a glass for a bottle that retails around $40 is a 100% markup — right at the edge of what feels acceptable. Argyle makes solid wine, but this price point pushes it into 'order something else' territory, especially when the Ponzi Pinot Gris is sitting right there at $14.
Foris Vineyards Pinot Noir 2022 + Pacific Salmon
Oregon Pinot Noir and Pacific salmon is one of those pairings that just makes geographic sense — both come from the same corner of the world, and the wine's earthy red fruit doesn't bully the fish. At $16 a glass it's also one of the fairer markups on the list.
Tuesday — Half-price wine by the glass every Tuesday night.
The Bottom Line
The Riv isn't reinventing the wine list, but it's doing the right things for a seafood restaurant in downtown Spokane — regional focus, fair pricing, and a Tuesday half-price deal that makes it genuinely worth planning around. Send your friends here and tell them to skip the Chardonnay.
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
Downtown Carmel · Carmel By The Sea · Seafood
Catch is a dependable wine stop for a seafood dinner in Carmel — nothing here will disappoint you, but nothing will surprise you either. If you go in with calibrated expectations and order the Schramsberg with your crab, you'll leave happy.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Hood River · Hood River · Seafood
Votum is operating a world-class wine program in a town most people only stop through on the way to a hike — the depth of this cellar belongs in a major city restaurant, and the sommelier presence means you're not navigating it alone. The markups on the prestige bottles will sting, but find your entry point and this list rewards serious attention.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Bowen's Wharf · Newport · Seafood
The Lobster Bar isn't a wine destination, but it's a perfectly competent list for what the restaurant is — a casual waterfront spot where the lobster is the star. Order the Sancerre, eat the oysters, watch the boats.
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.
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