Bend has some of best breweries in the United States, but most would agree that our wine culture is equally inspired. With two award-winning local wineries, an array of sophisticated wine shops, candle-lit wine bars and a number of citywide events that celebrate Oregon’s vintages, Bend has plenty to offer even the most selective oenophile.
Start your wine tasting tour at Volcano Vineyards, located on Minnesota Avenue in downtown Bend. Cozy up to the bar and let Liz and Scott Ratcliff guide you through a flight of their champion Syrah and Red Blends in a casual and friendly setting. They also have a great meeting space upstairs that is available to small community groups!
Next stop is the Wine Shop and Tasting Bar located at the northwest end of Minnesota Avenue has quickly become one of the most famous streets in Bend. With 600 wines from around the world, the wine bar features 30 wines, ports, sakes and champagnes by both the taste and the glass and 50 international and micro beers. This place truly captures the essence of European lifestyle. Relax and enjoy a wide selection of fine wines and beer that you won't find in normal bars. The patio is also one of Bend’s best places to people watch.
Make sure to visit Maragas Winery 25 miles north of Bend in Terrebonne overlooking Smith Rock. They are open year round Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for tastings and tours. Maragas also regularly hosts special events with food, live music, and more. The mountain and Smith Rock views are incredible from the winery.
If you are looking for one of the most eclectic wine lists in Bend, stop into Portello WineCafe featuring patio seating in the summer and a regular live music series on Saturdays nights. The raised bar tables were crafted from salvaged cherry barrels in the Willamette Valley, the brick walls were taken from a turn of the century Portland building, and Bend artist and gallery owner, Andrew Wachs, created the signage and wine racks. These touches combine to give Portello an urban chic atmosphere that is right at home in the contemporary neighborhood of Northwest Crossing.
The Bend Wine Cellar is known as one of the funkiest wine shops in Bend and sells quality, distinctive wines at great prices. Stop by on Saturdays from 2-5 p.m. for complimentary tastings.
Across the street from the Bend Wine Cellar is Winestyles whose mission is to sell world-class wines at everyday prices. Walking through the doors of the shop, you’ll feel as if you have entered an Old World wine cellar, but choosing the wine of your dreams is never overwhelming because wines are grouped by taste instead of vintage. Winestyles has two complimentary wine tastings per week: on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and live music starts every Friday and Sat at 7 p.m.
If you are in town the second Tuesday of the month, include Wine Tasting Night at Pine Ridge Inn on your agenda. Every month visitors, locals and guests gather to sample an array of regional wines paired with wonderful appetizers prepared in-house by Pine Ridge chefs.
Allyson's Kitchen, located in the Old Mill District, offers weekly wine celebrations like their Friday night wine pairings for $10, which includes six wines that are paired with a partiuclar cheese or appetizer and complimentray tastings every Saturday from 2 to 5pm.
Throughout the year there are also a number of wine-centric events such as Wine by the River, Winter Wine Walk during WinterFest as well as the Annual Art and Wine Auction put on by the Deschutes Children’s Foundation.
Whatever setting is your pleasure, Bend, Oregon offers the wine connoisseur the opportunity to drink in the most exciting wines of the region and the world.
Bend Wine Cellar
1444 College Way, Ste. 8
Phone: 541.385.9258
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The Good Drop Wine Shoppe
147 NW Minnesota Ave
Phone: 541.410.1470
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Maragas Winery
Phone: 541.546.5464
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Pine Ridge Inn
Phone: 541.389.6137
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Portello WineCafe
2754 NW Crossing
Phone: 541.385.1777
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Volcano Vineyards
126 NW Minnesota Ave
Phone: 541.390.8771
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The Wine Shop & Tasting Bar
55 NW Minnesota Avenue
Phone: 541.389.2884
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Wine Styles
1346 NW Galveston
Phone: 541.389.8889
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Wine by the River
Phone: 541.382-5882
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