Yakima's Backyard, Bottled Right
· Yakima · Northwest Contemporary · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 9, 2026
RagingWine reviewed WaterFire Restaurant & Bar’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 WaterFire reads like someone actually gave a damn about the region they're sitting in — Yakima Valley, Walla Walla, and Columbia Valley producers dominate, and that's a good thing. It's compact at 24 labels, but the curation has intention behind it. You're not staring down a wall of Kendall-Jackson and Yellow Tail.
The list leans heavily Pacific Northwest, with a strong showing from Washington stalwarts like L'Ecole No 41, Owen Roe, Gilbert Cellars, and Alexandria Nicole — names that belong on a list like this, not afterthoughts. There's a smart spread across reds: Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet, and a red blend or two give you real options without overwhelming. Whites are thinner but purposeful — an unoaked Chardonnay from Gilbert Cellars and an AntoLin Riesling acknowledge that this is Yakima Valley and those varieties actually grow here. The one odd duck is the Dona Paula Malbec, which feels like a concession to menu diversity rather than a genuine statement, but it earns its spot.
By-the-glass specifics weren't confirmed during our visit, so we can't tell you exactly what's pouring per glass. Given the 24-label list, we'd expect a reasonable rotation of maybe 6-8 pours, likely anchored by the Freehand Rosé, Jeio Prosecco, and one or two of the reds. Ask your server what's open — that's always the smartest move with a list this size.
The Bottom Line
WaterFire keeps it local, keeps it honest, and delivers a wine list that respects where it's planted — literally. If you're eating in Yakima and want to drink the region, this is your spot.
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Small but Thoughtful
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Basic Stemmed
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
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Seasonal Rotation
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
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Occasional
Acceptable
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