PDX Urban Wineries
With a bevy of world-class wineries surrounding Portland it's no surprise that the city itself boasts some wonderful wineries and tasting rooms. And with the Fall harvest just around the corner, well, there's plenty to sample and more on the way! That said, I thought I'd feature a list of the more urban, wine-centric businesses in and around town. And while a short jaunt into the greater valley will surely deliver, these ultra-convenient locations serve up some unique experiences found nowhere else. Enjoy! Utilizing grapes from all around the Pacific NW, the members of PDX Urban Wineries create a truly wide variety of different wines. In all there are 16 members in this association, each of which can be found here. A few of my favorites are listed directly below:
Hip Chicks Do Wine
Laurie Lewis and Renee Neely are the "hip chicks" behind Portland's oldest urban winery. Started in 1999, Laurie and Renee have been making wine in their converted warehouse in SE Portland ever since. They opened a tasting room in 2001. I found out about this great spot through a fun, wine-centric event that was hosted there. Very worth the visit!
Location: 4510 S.E. 23rd Ave. Portland, OR 97202
Tele: 503.234.3790 Website here
Urban Crush
A wine collective of sort, at this neat establishment you will find several different artisan wines that are made on-site by local, small batch producers. The wines are available for tasting, sipping and purchase. Small plates are also available for pairing. To boot, you can overlook the wine making operation while sipping their creations. Private rental space is available here for private parties, small corporate events (up to 75 people).
Location: 2025 S.E. Seventh Ave. Portland, OR 97124
Tele: 503-477-6994 Website here
Division Wine Making Company
Trained in the art of wine making in France, locals Tom Monroe and Kate Norris left their far different careers to focus on creations from the vine. And how lucky we all are that they did this as the Division Wine Making Company (DWMC) is truly a gem. Part of the Southeast Wine Collective (SWC), and begun in 2012, DWMC creates wonderful spirits using "minimally invasive" wine make practices. The tasting room at DWMC features six wines from SWC members along with guest pours from other local wineries. Cheese, charcuterie and "daily bites" pair nicely with what's on offer.
Location: 2425 S.E. 35th Pl. Portland, OR 97215
Tele: 503.887.8755 Website here
More Information
For more information on great Portland wineries, check out this article from Paste.com, which covers the city by neighborhood. One gem on this list, Cooper's Hall, looks very inviting. I'll write about it if/when I check it out! Happy Wining!