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πŸ”₯The Rager

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

Bellevue's Seafood Throne Has the Wine to Match

Bellevue Β· Bellevue Β· Regional Seafood Β· Visit Website β†—

date-nightdeep-cellarold-world-focussplurge-worthy

Reviewed April 9, 2026

Wingman Metrics

List VarietyDeep & Eclectic
MarkupSteep
GlasswareVarietal Specific
StaffKnowledgeable & Friendly
Specials & DealsActive Program
Storage & TempProper

First Impression

The wine list at Seastar lands with the kind of confidence you'd expect from a restaurant that's held a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence since 2006 β€” and hasn't gotten lazy about it. Four sommeliers on staff, 400-600 bottles deep, and a Monday half-price wine night that actually gives you a reason to show up mid-week. This is a serious program wearing a seafood bib.

Selection Deep Dive

California is the clear anchor here β€” Kistler, Far Niente, Caymus, Flowers, and Duckhorn all make appearances β€” but the list doesn't stop at the state line. Burgundy gets real attention with Louis Jadot and Domaine Leflaive's Puligny-Montrachet, Bordeaux checks in with Chateau Lynch-Bages and even a Chateau Margaux for the occasion-drinkers, and Champagne is handled properly with Veuve Clicquot holding down the bubbly column. The Domaine Weinbach Alsace Riesling is a quietly inspired pick for a seafood-forward menu β€” it shows someone here is actually thinking about what's on the plate. Where the list plays it a little safe is in the southern hemisphere and natural wine space, which is essentially absent.

By the Glass

Twenty to thirty-five by-the-glass options at $12–$22 is a legitimate pour program, not just a token gesture. The range covers enough ground that you can drink well whether you're settling in for a full raw bar spread or just grabbing a quick glass at the bar. We'd like to see more rotation and a few more adventurous picks in the glass lineup, but the depth is there.

πŸ’°Best Value

Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2020 β€” $85

Schramsberg is one of California's most consistent sparkling producers, and at $85 it's the most approachable entry into the celebratory tier on this list. Order it with oysters before your entree arrives and you'll spend the rest of dinner trying to justify a second bottle.

πŸ’ŽHidden Gem

Domaine Weinbach Alsace Riesling

Most tables at Seastar are going to reach for a Chardonnay or a Pinot Noir, which means this Alsatian Riesling from one of the region's benchmark producers is flying under the radar. It's textured, dry, and built for Pacific Northwest seafood in a way that most California whites simply aren't. The people ordering it know something the rest of the room doesn't.

β›”Skip This

Opus One 2019

At $525, you're paying a premium that has more to do with brand recognition than what's in your glass relative to other options on this list. Opus One is never a bad wine, but in a seafood-forward restaurant, it's an awkward fit β€” and the markup leaves little room to feel good about it. Save that spend for a return trip on a Monday.

🍽️Perfect Pairing

Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir 2020 + Cedar Plank Salmon

Drouhin's Oregon Pinot has the bright acidity and restrained fruit to stand up to the smokiness of the cedar plank without trampling the salmon itself. It's a Pacific Northwest handshake on the plate and in the glass, and at $95 it's one of the more honest prices on the list.

🍷Half-Price Wine Night

Monday β€” Half-price wine night every Monday β€” the single best reason to rearrange your week.

πŸ”₯ The Bottom Line

Seastar is the kind of wine program that earns its reputation rather than coasting on it β€” four sommeliers, a deep cellar, and a Monday half-price night make this one of the better reasons to drink well east of Seattle. Markups trend steep at the top end, but the list is curated with enough care that you'll find your spot in it.

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