Newer-ish Spokane Wine Bars

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS
 
Our wine scene is flourishing with evidence to that by the addition of places to wine about. Have you been to these newer-ish wine bars? If not, get there already. 

(Photo by Sip. Pens from recycled wine barrels by Ammo-head Design. Perfect for wine notes).

SOUTH HILL
Mezzo Pazzo Wine Bar & Market
2718 E 57th Suite 105 mezzopazzowinebar.net 509.863.9313
 facebook: Mezzo Pazzo Wine bar
Sometimes a dream one sets aside persistently pops up until the universe aligns all the elements making it almost inevitable. Nita and Ron Martinez envisioned a South Hill Wine Bar almost 6-years ago but various circumstances kept getting in the way. Almost on their own all the roadblocks just worked themselves out like this was something that was truly meant to be. The reality of a warm-hearted, neighborhood place to enjoy wines from around the world opened mid September 2011.  Mezzo Pazzo will pair wines with small plates & appetizers, sandwiches & salads, and desserts.   Mezzo Pazzo means half-crazy, and the wine bar’s tag line is "Half-crazy, about wine, about life". Expect local winemakers to occasionally be pouring, weekly live music, and well chosen retail offerings.

DOWNTOWN
Sapphire Lounge at Hotel Ruby  
901 West 1st Avenue rubyhotelspokane.com 509.747.1041
 facebook: Hotel Ruby and Sapphire Lounge
Committed to participate in the evolution of Northwest culinary scene and assisting in adding a hip factor to Spokane, this metro city bar located at the revamped Hotel Ruby adds some additional swank to the Davenport District.  Expect to find a commitment to small, family owned Northwest wines with special Sunday tastings with an emphasis on wine education.   The lounge spills out onto a patio when weather encourages it and in addition to rotating wines you’ll find old school cocktails and local art. 

Cougar Crest Winery – Spokane Tasting Room 
8 North Post #6 cougarcrestwinery.com 509.241-3850
facebook: Cougar Crest Winery
Walla Walla: Woodinville: Spokane. Cougar Crest Winery is an estate winery located in Walla Walla, Washington.  Vineyard owners David & Debbie Hansen sold their grapes to other winemakers for years before becoming award winning winemakers themselves. With tasting rooms in Walla Walla, Woodinville and now Spokane they really have established a statewide presence.  In addition to daily tastings, appetizers including the perfect pairing in taste and name, Cougar Gold Cheese, the Spokane tasting room will be a First Friday participant and offer delivery to downtown hotels. With an active wine club that includes exclusive tastings, you’ll discover membership really does have its privileges. Whitestone Winery has relocated their downtown tasting room right next door.

Marketplace Wine Bar
32 W 2nd Avenue 509.7471070
facebook: Market Place Wine Bar
Like wine that’s meant to be shared, life is richer when you share it with good friends. Though EMVY Cellars and Bridgepress Cellars both started making and selling wine in 2005 it wasn’t until just recently until they had a place of their own, nestled in the newly opened Spokane Public Market . Both wineries began under the joint tutelage of Winemaker friends from Mountain Dome Winery and Grand Rhonde Cellars before branching out to do their own thing. One can sip and savor the local flavor amongst a rotating array of local art work Thursday- Saturday or rent out this generous space for an ambiance rich soiree. Friday nights includes live music and the wine bar is a consistent First Friday participant. This is a great refurbished space with exposed wooden beams add rustic character.  Mark & Valerie Wilkerson of EMVY Cellars and Brian & Melody Padrta started marking wine and now are pouring wine, all with a little help from some friends. They are already expanding and recently purchased an adjacent building. Exciting!

VALLEY
Vintage Vines  
106 N Evergreen 509.227.WINE vintagevineswineshop.com
 facebook: Vintage Vines
With a motto of Life is short, drink what you love! Vintage Vines has a casual, everyday approach to wine. This newly opened specialty wine & beer shop in the Spokane Valley is a family run establishment that spotlights Washington wine and regional art, in addition to specialty beer and wine from around the world. Aunt-Niece, Maureen Tracy-Hansen and Kelly Warner offer boutique, handpicked selections of the best regional and international wines and a range of hearty micro brews. Light fare for lunch and dinner has just been added. Try a weekly wine tastings, join the wine club but mostly have a fun discovering wine your palette prefers or in other words Drink what you Love!

Sip's Article has been updated and was previously published in Spokane Coeur d'Alene magazine.

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