Last chance for some wine-focused Christmas gifts
Emanar Cellars will pair Nancy Herron’s recount of her 558-mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage with wines found along The Way
Weekend highlights:
- Brewed – Fri, Dec 19 from 8:30-10:30 pm the downtown Vancouver crew is hosting local musicians, Krista Lay & Jeremiah Lehman singing Christmas songs, special bites to pair with holiday beverages and gift drawings throughout the event. It’s sure to be worth stopping by.
- Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Fri, Dec 19 – Piggybacking on Ugly Holiday Sweater Day at Uptown Village with 10% off bottles to go all day and complimentary hot breadsticks courtesy of Vancouver Pizza from 5-9 pm to anyone in a holiday sweater (while supplies last).
- Emanar Cellars – TONIGHT– From 6-8 pm taste wines from along the Camino de Santiago while listening to a local recount her recent walk along the 558-mile pilgrimage from the southern border of France to the waters of the Atlantic. Ever seen Martin Sheen in The Way? “You don’t choose a life. You live one.”
Upcoming events:
- Cellar 55 Tasting Room(open noon-6 pm), Niche Wine Bar (hosting their annual Port tasting from 3-8 pm), The Grant House (open for Christmas dinner by reservation) and English Estate Winery (noon-4 pm with happy hour pricing) will all be open on Christmas Eve.
This weekend:
Downtown
Brewed – Fri, Dec 19 from 8:30-10:30 pm the crew is hosting local musicians, Krista Lay & Jeremiah Lehman singing Christmas songs, special bites to pair with holiday beverages and gift drawings throughout the event. It’s sure to be worth stopping by. Carrying a selection of Columbia and Willamette Valley wines, the folks at Brewed are well-educated on the choices available. Also available are mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and an occasional, seasonally-inspired adult beverage like Irish coffee. Current wine offerings include several from Locati Cellars, Charles Smith’s earthy Boom Boom Syrah, AniChe Cellars’ Barbariccia which is a sangiovese blend and the ever-sassy Naked Winery’s Penetration Cabernet Sauvignon and Foreplay Chardonnay.
Burnt Bridge Cellars – Sat, Dec 20 & Sun, Dec 21 – Last day to purchase wine in 2014. Burnt Bridge will reopen on Fri, Jan 2 for First Friday with wine, live music and small bites by Class Cooking. Donating $1 of every bottle of wine sold to the Vancouver Humane Society all month so come in, stock up for the holidays and support an amazing cause…that’s where our pups came from! Normal tasting room hours Sat, Sun noon-5 pm.
Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Fri, Dec 19 – Piggybacking on Ugly Holiday Sweater Day at Uptown Village with 10% off bottles to go all day and complimentary hot breadsticks courtesy of Vancouver Pizza from 5-9 pm to anyone in a holiday sweater. No live music this week but festive holiday music will be piped in. Open Christmas eve noon-6 pm. Come enjoy their fantastic Eastern Washington and Walla Walla wines by the glass or bottle. Displaying local art and featuring happy hours every Thursday 4-8 pm Friday 2-6 pm and Sunday 4-6 pm. Open at noon Wed-Sun.
Charlie’s Bistro – Fri, Dec 19 – Come hear the guitar sounds of Colin Ranney from from 7-10 pm while enjoying bbq pork sweet potato hash with a lovely Cottonwood Syrah, Maryhill Malbec or beautiful Kentucky Bourbon. Charlie’s has a great deal for wine lovers every Monday-50% off all bottles of wine $50 and under. Why not come in next Monday to toast Christmas with a bottle of Mumm’s sparkling Brut and a few close friends. Plus, Saturday is always Flight Night from 4-10 pm. Open Mon-Sat.
East Fork Cellars – Gallery 360’s Home for Christmas exhibit runs Dec 3-27. Normal tasting hours Sat noon- 4 pm with in-depth information about their wines from owners, Jeff and Stacey, but pours available during Gallery 360’s hours Wed-Sat noon-5 p.m.
Evergreen Wine Cellar – Fri, Dec 19 from 5- 8 pm Pam is hosting a Christmas Red Wine tasting for $5 per person. She also has the largest selection of sparklings in Clark County and holds extensive knowledge on food pairings to help more occasions be elevated to special ones. Contact Pam to be placed on her e-mail blast.
The Grant House –The Grant House is decked out for the holidays and it is stunning. Cozy up to the fireplace with a full-bodied slightly spicy chardonnay or a warming syrah with hints of blackberry and dark chocolate while enjoying live music Tue-Fri from 6-8 pm in this historic establishment on Officer’s Row. Taking reservations for Christmas Eve dinner.
La Bottega– Terrific casual Italian dining with a wine list to complement each flavor profile. Tuesday night wines under $50 are 50% off and wines over $50 are discounted $25. Excellent way to enjoy some premium wines with their locally-focused menu. Wine tasting every Wednesday night from 5-7 pm. $12 includes four tastings (wines from the Puglia Palamà family last night) and antipasti. Bottles available for take away.
Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar – Thurs, Dec 18 from 5-7 pm Scott is hosting a sparkling wine tasting in his newly-completed wine bar. Latte da recently extended hours in the wine bar to focus on some unique restaurant wines paired with a wine-friendly appetizer menu. Now open ’til 10 pm Thur-Sat. Bonus: All wines are available to purchase by the bottle for take away.
Niche Wine Bar – Their annual Port tasting on Christmas Eve from 3-8 pm is fast approaching. Features: 30+ pours available six days a week and a staff who knows their wine all in a relaxed atmosphere with walls decorated in local artists’ work. Bottles available to take away. Live entertainment every Saturday night.
At Willem’s on Main a recent lunch of smoked brisket, potato cake and caramelized onion gravy was masterfully prepared by chef Ron
Willem’s on Main – LOVED my roasted butternut squash speatzle yesterday and my husband’s smoked brisket atop a potato cake was happily devoured, as well. Ron and Cathy were terrific and it always makes me happy to see Bateaux Cellars’ wine and ports on a wine list. Excellent happy hour Tues-Sat from 4:30-6 pm to enjoy with their carefully-prepared wine list, 50% off bottles under $40 on Tuesdays. Next 4-course Prime Rib dinner scheduled for Sun, Jan 11. Vineyard TBA. Reservations required.
North Vancouver
Farrar’s Bistro – Stop into this Felida neighborhood restaurant that touts ‘comfort food with a flair’ as its motto (I.e. patty melt on rye, pork tenderloin medallions). Happy hour 3:30-6 pm. Complement some small plates with a velvety cabernet sauvignon or herbaceous sauvignon blanc.
Fred Meyer Salmon Creek – Fri & Sat from 3-6 pm wine steward, Kent Gallegos, routinely pairs two wines with Murray’s cheeses. Weather and season dictate his selections.
Hudson’s Bar and Grill – A recent addition to their largely Washington, Oregon and California-inspired wine list are their featured wines; a selection of three by-the-bottle wines rotated on a monthly basis. Inside the Heathman Lodge near Westfield Shopping Center, enjoy a glass of Washington Chardonnay with a plate of sautéed mussels or a glass of Barnard Griffin Cabernet Merlot with a meatloaf sandwich while warming up fireside under the massive Northwest logs during ‘Hudson’s Hour’ from 4-6 pm.
Total Wine & More – Every Fri, 4-8 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm complimentary wine tastings are offered at this beverage store located by Westfield Shopping Mall. Tasting beer and spirits, as well. Check out their calendar for upcoming special event tastings and classes which may include a fee.
Fred Meyer Orchards – Fri, 2-5 pm & Sat, 1-5 pm wine steward, Shawn Martin, hosts a two to three-wine tasting that he pairs with Murray’s cheeses and focuses on lesser-known wines to broaden his customers’ wine catalog.
Cozy up to the fire at Village Vineyard with a glass of malbec and enjoy their last open weekend until Feb 14, 2015
Village Vineyard – This is the last weekend to enjoy Village Vineyard wines before the tasting room closes for winter break Stop by for a tasting and stay for a glass of wine in their beautifully-appointed living room. Folks are invited to bring munchies to snack on while enjoying some adult down time. Scheduled to reopen February 14. Normal tasting room hours: Sat noon-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm.
North County
Confluence Vineyards and Winery – Open this Sat & Sun noon-5 pm tasting the bold and beautiful reds Confluence is known for to help alleviate holiday stress and offer Christmas dinner wine pairing suggestions. Sat-Sun noon-5 pm.
Koi Pond Cellars – Sat, Dec 20 – Live music from 6-8 pm and featuring $6 vin chaud glasses. Come taste new releases-a 2013 sauvignon blanc and 2012 merlot. Mural and artwork by resident artist, Micah Boylan, grace the walls. Happy hour Wed-Fri from 4-7 pm. Open Wed-Sun.
Gougér Cellars – Take advantage of Gary’s gift cards and wine-related accessories; perfect for stocking stuffers or under the Christmas tree. Wed-Sun enjoy Gary’s award-winning wine line up with some non-alcoholic ice creams or food options that go beyond small bites.
Bethany Vineyard – Tasting their consistently elegant wines Fri and Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm., Bethany has a current wine list of 21 offerings from their floral and earthy 2009 Pinot Noir to their 2012 Free Run Cabernet Sauvignon made with the first juices after fermentation before the skins are pressed, giving it a lighter tannic style with the same black fruit palate cab is known for.
Three Brothers Vineyard – Stop in for winemaker, Dan Anderson’s, favorite – their 2009 Tempranillo – and then pair it with his second love; boneless pork ribs. Their Gold medal 2008 Zinfandel was open last weekend. Never know when it might make a repeat performance.Tasting hours Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.
Pomeroy Cellars – Thurs, Dec 18 – is the last Thursday happy hour of 2014. Enjoy $4.75 glass pours with a spaghetti dinner-for-purchase from 5-9 pm. Come try Dan’s rhubarb or cherry wine. Both dry, he’s captured the essence of each base ingredient. The rhubard, for instance, is refreshing with a hint of licorice spice and for that I’d drink it as an aperitif or with foods similar to Pinot Gris like the perennial Thai suggestion. Gift sets available for terrific Christmas gifts, hostess gifts or the frazzled Santa in all of us. Wed, Dec 31 – No plans for New Year’s Eve? The first 40 people to sign up will be spending it with Dan & Destiny beginning at 6 pm. $100 includes dinner for two, a bottle of Pomeroy Cellars wine and live music.
Moulton Falls Winery – Looking to release a Pinot Noir-based port-style wine soon distilled by Battle Ground’s own, Double V Distillery. Helping the North Clark Lions Club with canned food donations this weekend. Donate two cans and receive a free tasting. Fri, Dec 19 – $5 on select glasses of wine from 4-9 pm, dinner from 5-8:30 pm and live music from 6-9 pm. Sat, Dec 20 – Live music from 6-9 pm. I tried their seasonally-inspired glühwein (German-inspired hot spiced wine) last Sunday (available noon-6 pm) and it is a cozy blanket in a mug, to be sure.
Heisen House Vineyards – Take advantage of 50 percent off case sales through the month of December. That’s a tremendous value for some excellent, locally-made, boutique wines. Featuring hand-made chocolates by Absolutely Beautiful and try their two new holiday-inspired wines – Vixen and Santa’s Helper. Open Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.
Olequa Cellars – Wine maker, Brian Tansy, has a current lineup of 6 wines. While his charming tasting room was open for the last time in 2014 last weekend, he welcomes private tastings of his beautiful boutique wines.
Battle Ground Produce – The owner of Battle Ground Produce, Loren, knows his wine and enjoys offering complimentary tastings to customers most Fridays from 4-7 pm. Andreas, Rayne and Scott pour with insight, passion and friendly banter. There’s usually something for the beer lover, as well.
Rusty Grape Vineyards – Live music Wed-Sat from 7-9 pm. Check out their seasonally-appropriate Chocolate Syrah Port, sipping chocolate and vin chaud. The tasting room is toasty thanks to the relocation of their wood-fired pizza oven. Wednesday is 2 wood-fired pizzas for $15 and, beginning Nov 5 through the end of the year, a portion of Wednesday proceeds will go to a local charity. Thursday brings Thirsty Thursday from 4:3-6:30 pm with special prices on wines, beer and food and Sunday they do it again from noon-3 pm. Something’s always going on at the Grape. Open Wed-Sun.
Emanar Cellars – Thurs, Dec 18- From 6-8 pm taste wines from along the Camino de Santiago while listening to a local recount her recent walk along the 558-mile pilgrimage from the southern border of France to the waters of the Atlantic. Fri, Dec 19 & Sat, Dec 20-Live music by two different musicians from 6-8 pm along with a specially-selected Spanish Cava flight. Christmas gift baskets still available. Emanar’s also donating $2 of each Christmas tree ornament purchase to Rock Solid Teen Center – now there’s an example of an excellent pairing. Enjoy their Spanish wines with Spanish tapas Thur-Sat from 4-9 pm.
Pasta GiGi’s – Dec 31-Kathy’s prepared a 4-course New Year’s dinner from 4-9 pm complete with Champagne and live music. If her Holiday prixe fix menu of prosciutto-wrapped shrimp with a blueberry gastrique sauce is any indication, this is a must-do and my house white wine soak dressing was delicate and elegant, as well. Need a last-minute gift? Gift cards, pastas, flavored olive oils and more available. Amazing, fresh Italian food with a passionate wine staff like Lindsey, Kathryn and Brodie– a pairing made in Heaven.
C’est La Vie Crêperie – Wine-O Wednesday is marked by $1 off mimosas, spritzers and wines by the glass. Keri gives people an excuse to drink wine with the most important meal of the day – breakfast. Perfectly-flavored mimosas with such inspirations as double crème Brie and French onion soup Friday. Très bon. Open Tue-Sat 8 am-3 pm.
East County
Vinotopia – Located inside Cascade Park’s Cinetopia, Vinotopia has received Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for the last five years. Aside from the dizzying array of wines by the bottle, guests can enjoy ½ off bottles of wines on Wednesdays and tastes or glasses of wine from a selection of over 100 daily. Pair that with their Tightwad Tuesday pasta buffet or live music from 6-10 pm every Sat in their dining room and you have a no-fail date night.
BevMo! – Fri, Dec 19 4-7 pm & Sat Dec 20 2-5 pm, 5 tastings, always complimentary unless otherwise indicated. Back in October I enjoyed the oaky, lightly buttery flavors of a 2010 Ghost Pines Chardonnay ($21) and was reveling in the silky seductive palate of the 2011 Ghost Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley($28.95). Presiding over the pouring was a very pleasant and cheerful, Anna, accompanied by manager, Kristin. Low key, comfortable atmosphere.
Whole Foods – Hit and miss on whether wine will be tasted on a weekend, Whole Foods features beer or wine tastings Sat from 1-4 pm. Also tasting on Friday evenings from 4-8 pm but it’s typically beer-focused.
New Seasons Market – January’s First Thursday event might be scheduled to Jan 8 due to the New Year holiday. Keep an eye out. It’s a festive celebration every month with live music, food pairings, wine tasting and activities for the kiddos. Wine and cheese pairings from 4-6 pm every Fri in December. Dec 19-Ryan Patrick Vineyards. Dec 26-For A Song Wines. For last-minute folks, a complimentary bubbly tasting paired with small bites is scheduled for Tues, Dec 30 & Wed, Dec 31 from 1-6 pm.
Fred Meyer Fisher’s Landing – Every Fri & Sat from 2-5 pm wine steward, Ernie Jones, aims for two tastings with occasional Murray’s cheese pairings.
Roots Restaurant & Bar– The medium tannins and dark fruit characteristics of a Diseno malbec would pair nicely with their Carlton Farms pork chop accented with a black currant demi-glace . From Cakebread to Domaine Drouhin to L’Ecole, you’d be hard-pressed to choose wrong and from 3-6 pm Mon-Fri and 9-11 pm Fri-Sat, pair your selection with locally-inspired happy hour bites.
English Estate Winery – In addition to their Friday night dinner (pulled pork enchiladas) with live music that begins at 6 pm, all month long English is helping folks shop local by bringing local artisans into the Loafing shed. Sat, Dec 20 from 1-5:30 pm-The Twisted Gem (handmade wire/crochet jewelry, Marie uses Swarovski crystals and other gems, wood and other mediums), Dec 20 & 21 from 1-5:30 pm-Olive Juice Portland (upcycled material reused to make unique purses). The only winery open Monday from 4:30-7 pm with $5 glasses of wine to start your week off right. Fri, Dec 19-Wed, Dec 24-Special on their fortified nectars. Buy two and receive a 2007 or 2008 for $1. This is Christmas-in-a-bottle, my friends. Wed, Dec 24-Open noon-4 pm with happy hour pricing.
Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Sun, Dec 21 – Come out and enjoy a lineup of wines, poured by the charismatic Dennis, beginning at 4 pm. The selection is anyone’s guess. This classic-style wine and cocktail lounge recently celebrated 4 years and is planning an expansion in 2015. Live music every Fri and Sat night beginning at 8 pm to accompany classic cocktails, a thoughtful wine list and small bites.
Krystal’s Champagne Lounge – Since taking over the place a few months ago, new owners Dan and Krista have been making some changes to this classy addition to downtown Camas including a thoughtful selection of spirits. Enjoy sparklings from California, high-end Champagnes by the glass, wine and beer paired with an artisan cheese plate or charcuterie platter. Open Tues-Sat.
The Puffin Café floats along the port in Washougal. They have a limited and, quite frankly, not great wine selection but, if you’re in the mood to feel the island vibe without leaving town – and who couldn’t use a dose of the islands on a dreary fall day – this is the place to be (they have indoor seating). Their food menu is tantalizing and their wait staff is genuine.
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Viki
I am a Clark County native. I am Level 2 WSET (wine and spirit education trust)-certified and enjoy pairing wine with my passion for travel and fondness of food. My most prized possessions are the memories of places I've been with my husband, the chance encounters we've been blessed to have along the way and my carry-on bag. I can often be seen around town and in tasting rooms with our two beautiful, double-Merle Australian shepherds, Challenge and Baby Girl.