You can go wine tasting in the Oregon countryside, or you could start in downtown Salem, head west to Monmouth and end the night in Corvallis.
All three cities are lucky to have their own wine bars, where people can feel just like being in a winery, but without having to drive too far, and with a much bigger selection of wines, food and people.
Wineries are hit-or-miss. Sometimes you go and there’s nobody there except for the server. Of course, it’s always fun if you like to drink and you have good company, but inner-city wine bars make it much easier.
You can sit at the bar and talk to strangers, impress a date, or have an afternoon work meeting. Wine is that versatile.
Downtown Salem has Grand Vines Wine and Bistro. One of the owners, Maggie Crawford, retired from being a wine distributor at Willamette Valley Vineyards and she can get some wines that are usually only available at wineries.
She can point out the best wine gift for the right occasion or help you pair the best wine to go with your food or chocolate truffles.
Crawford says most of the clientele at Grand Vines consists of working females in the 30-50 age range and the occasional Willamette law school student taking advantage of the great coffee and free wifi.
“I love wine, food and travel. They go together,” says Crawford, whose favorite kinds of wine include Grenache and Tempranillo. Grand Vines has wines from many different regions and their specialty is Southern Oregon wines.
A 20-minute trip away is Crush Wine Bar and Tasting Room in the center of Monmouth, across the street from Western Oregon University and next door to Tigress Books.
Owner Joshua Brandt is only 26 but he learned to become a connoisseur just from going wine tasting.
“I wanted to open a venue and I wanted something nice. We’re in the middle of wine country, so why not?” says Brandt.
The ambience and the location at Crush Wine Bar caters to a younger crowd, including college students who were used to low-quality beer.
“I’m making new winos out of all my friends,” says Brandt, whose wine bar also offers small Oregon craft brews, including Ninkasi, 10 Barrel and Pale Horse on tap. How can he make Pabst drinkers switch to an 8,000 year-old drink?
“Alcohol is alcohol, but wine is definitely more sophisticated. You can’t chew gum and drink wine,” says Brandt, who tries to get the best selections for under $25 a bottle to cater to his audience.
On the weekends or on live music nights, the wine bar can get loud and crowded, with over 60 winos on the vintage building’s premises.
“Wine can be intimidating. I say come try it!” says Brandt.
Brandt’s favorites are Pines 1852 Big Red, Left Coast Cellars, Mystic Wines and Airlie.
A little way south there’s Corvallis’ Enoteca Wine and Coffee Bar. The arrangement is fancier than the previous two, but friendly staff are also ready to guide new tasters into the secret realms of wine flavors.
Enoteca is on the corner facing its Waterfront Park and the Willamette River, and the dim lights and intimate seating make it a good place to take someone out for a romantic evening. Enoteca offers an extensive menu, having the restaurant Del Alma next door ready to cater to their customers. Del Alma specializes in Latin American, Caribbean and Spanish cuisine.
The three local wine bars have salads, olives, cheeses, antipasto, desserts and other European-style flare that seem to have been made just to pair with wine, and owners take pride in entertaining customers with not only delicious wine and food, but with just the right ambiance.
TRY IT FOR YOURSELF
Grand Vines
195 High St. NE
503-399-9463
Complimentary wine tasting: Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m.
Live music every First Wednesday, live jazz every Friday night, Blues guitar player on Tuesdays.
Crush Wine Bar and Tasting Room:
105 Main St. E, Monmouth
503-838-0399
Happy Hour 3-6 p.m.
Complimentary wine tasting every Thursday, 6-9 p.m. with live music
Enoteca Wine Bar
136 SW Washington Ave # 101, Corvallis
541-758-9095
Live music on the weekends.
Wine tasting: Wednesdays, 7 p.m. $10.
Free truffles Thursdays, 6-8 p.m.
