Imperial
Oregon's Greatest Hits, Served With Swagger
Downtown · Portland · New American
Reviewed April 14, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Imperial arrives feeling like the restaurant itself — a little grand, a little hotel-polished, leaning hard into its Pacific Northwest identity. Oregon producers anchor the top of the list, which is exactly what you want when you're sitting inside what amounts to a love letter to the state. The format is clean and approachable, though the prices remind you quickly that you're dining adjacent to the Hotel Lucia.
Selection Deep Dive
The list runs 150-200 bottles deep with a clear Pacific Northwest spine — Oregon Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris do the heavy lifting, and they've curated well: Evening Land Seven Springs, Adelsheim, and Eyrie all show up, which signals someone is paying attention and not just defaulting to the distributor's top-seller sheet. California and France fill out the flanks without much surprise, and there's enough range to keep a table of mixed drinkers engaged. That said, if you're hoping for adventurous detours — skin-contact wines, obscure appellations, anything that veers off the beaten path — you won't find them here. This is a confident, well-executed list built for broad appeal rather than rabbit holes.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program runs 15-25 options in the $14-$22 range, which is respectable for a downtown Portland hotel restaurant. Expect solid Oregon representation in the pours — this isn't a place where the BTG list is just leftover bottles from last week. That said, there's no evidence of active rotation or a rotating gem program, so don't expect surprises; what's on the menu is what's on the menu.
Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris — $45–$55
Eyrie is the founding house of Oregon Pinot Gris — this is the grape's home appellation, and getting it at bottle prices in the low-to-mid range on this list is as close to a no-brainer as you'll find here. It's a historic pour for not a lot of money.
Lingua Franca Chardonnay
Most tables at Imperial are going to reach for Pinot Noir and call it a day. But Lingua Franca's Chardonnay — backed by Larry Stone's Burgundy-obsessed vision — is quietly one of the more serious Willamette Chardonnays in the state. It tends to get overlooked next to the Pinots, which means you can often drink it without a fight.
Adelsheim Pinot Noir
Adelsheim is a perfectly good Oregon producer, but at hotel restaurant markup it becomes a tough sell when Evening Land Seven Springs is sitting right next to it on the same list. You're paying for a name that grocery stores carry — push a little further and spend up for something you can't grab at New Seasons.
Evening Land Vineyards Seven Springs Pinot Noir + Wood-roasted chicken
Seven Springs Pinot has that savory, earthy backbone — red fruit with real structure underneath — that stands up to the smoke and fat from Imperial's wood-roasted chicken without running over it. It's the kind of pairing that feels inevitable once you try it.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Imperial isn't trying to be a wine destination, but the Oregon-focused list is well-curated and the staff knows what they're pouring — it's just priced for the zip code. Come for the food, let the wine enhance the evening, and don't expect your wallet to escape unscathed.
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