Pacific Northwest Pride in a Historic Room
Downtown · Spokane · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 11, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Wooden City Spokane’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 Wooden City feels like it was built by someone who actually lives in Washington and gives a damn about what grows here. It leans Pacific Northwest hard, which is exactly what you want when you're sitting inside a gorgeously restored historic building with smoke from a wood-fired oven drifting through the room. Nothing flashy, but it reads honest.
The list runs 30 to 50 bottles with a clear Pacific Northwest backbone — Columbia Valley dominates, with California stepping in for the crowd-pleasers. The headliners include Cayuse Vineyards Syrah, which is legitimately one of the great names coming out of the Walla Walla Valley, and Charles Smith Wines, which punches above its price point consistently. There's not a ton of international depth here — if you're hunting for Burgundy or Barolo, you'll leave disappointed. But as a love letter to Washington state wine, it does its job without apology.
The by-the-glass program runs 10 to 16 options, which is a respectable number for a gastropub of this size. Expect the usual suspects from the Columbia Valley to anchor the list. Rotation doesn't appear to be a major priority here — it has the feel of a steady, reliable program rather than one chasing seasonal excitement.
Charles Smith Wines Columbia Valley Red — $12
Charles Smith consistently delivers Washington personality at approachable prices — you're getting real terroir without the markup that usually comes with it at a downtown restaurant this polished.
Cayuse Vineyards Syrah
Most people at Wooden City are here for the pizza and cocktails, which means the Cayuse Syrah is flying under the radar. This is a cult Walla Walla producer with biodynamic chops and a fiercely loyal following — if it's on the list at a fair price, order it before the table next to you figures out what they're sitting on.
California Cabernet Sauvignon
When a list is this clearly rooted in Washington state pride, the California Cab slots tend to be safe filler — generic, overpriced relative to what you get, and completely outclassed by the PNW reds sitting right next to them on the menu.
Cayuse Vineyards Syrah + Wood-fired meat
Walla Walla Syrah has that savory, almost smoky iron-and-pepper quality that was basically engineered to sit next to charred, fire-kissed meat. The wood oven does half the pairing work for you.
The Bottom Line
Wooden City is the kind of place you'd send a friend visiting Spokane who wants to drink well without a wine lecture — it's grounded in Pacific Northwest terroir, fairly priced, and good enough to carry a serious dinner. Just don't come here expecting Old World depth.
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
Eagle Ranch · Vail · American
The Wild Sage is your dependable neighborhood spot in Eagle Ranch — the wine list won't blow your mind, but it won't embarrass you at dinner either. Watch the markups on the top-shelf Napa bottles and stick to the mid-range, and you'll be fine.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Traverse City · American
Warehouse Kitchen + Cork won't win any awards for depth or ambition, but it plays its hand honestly — fair prices, solid local representation, and a full by-the-glass program that respects your wallet. If you're in Traverse City and want a glass of something local with a water view, this works.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Truckee · Truckee · American
Sunnyside is a casual lodge restaurant wearing a serious wine list under its flannel — the markup is steep and it won't win any awards for staff expertise, but the producer lineup is legitimately impressive for where you're sitting. If you're already at the lake, this is absolutely worth ordering a real bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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