Spokane's Northwest anchor, doing the work
Downtown · Spokane · New American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 17, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walk into Mizuna and the brick walls and candlelight immediately signal that someone cared about the room — and the wine list follows that same energy. It's not a sprawling cellar book, but it's curated with obvious intent toward the Pacific Northwest. You get the sense this list was built by someone with a point of view, not just filled out to check a box.
The focus here is unambiguously Washington State, with L'Ecole No 41 and Barnard Griffin anchoring the list as regional workhorses — solid picks that represent the Columbia Valley without being flashy about it. Charles Smith's Kung Fu Girl Riesling makes an appearance, which is a reliable crowd-pleaser, though its markup undercuts some of the goodwill. There's a balanced nod to Old World selections too, so you're not stuck if you want to escape the Northwest bubble for a night. The gaps show up in depth — this isn't a list that rewards the obsessive wine hunter, but it covers the bases for the room it's in.
With roughly 10–14 pours by the glass running $9–$15, the by-the-glass program is genuinely useful for the neighborhood fine-dining format Mizuna operates in. The range covers enough ground to match their vegetarian-friendly, seasonal menu without forcing everyone to commit to a bottle. Rotation appears limited — this reads more like a stable program than one that's constantly experimenting.
L'Ecole No 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley — $60
At under two times retail, this is the most defensible markup on the list — and L'Ecole makes a genuinely serious Columbia Valley Cab that holds its own against bottles costing twice as much elsewhere in the state.
Barnard Griffin Sauvignon Blanc
Most people sleep on Washington Sauvignon Blanc in favor of New Zealand or the Loire, but Barnard Griffin punches well above its profile — crisp, textured, and a natural fit with Mizuna's vegetable-forward dishes.
Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling
At a 140% markup on a $15 retail bottle, you're paying a premium for a wine that's essentially a grocery store staple. It's a fine Riesling — but not a $36 Riesling.
Barnard Griffin Sauvignon Blanc + Butternut squash ravioli
The wine's bright acidity and subtle herbaceous quality cut right through the richness of the squash filling without steamrolling the dish — it's the kind of pairing that makes a vegetarian entrée feel complete.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Mizuna is doing honest, thoughtful work with a Northwest-leaning list in a city that doesn't always demand it — and that counts for something. Watch the markup on the more recognizable labels, anchor your order to L'Ecole or Barnard Griffin, and you'll leave happy.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.