Charlie’s Bistro – Savor, Sip and Sojourn

November 14 weekend wine ideas for Clark County and beyond

The tent at Confluence Vineyards is toasty and festive with heaters and twinkling lights.

Weekend highlights:

Sat, Nov 15-Confluence Winery is celebrating their 6th Anniversary from 12-5pm with live music, food pairings, barrel tasting and wine specials. Come enjoy the tantalizing bouquets of Confluence’s French oak-aged vintages.
Sat, Nov 15 – The Northwest Food & Wine Festival at Doubletree Lloyd Center – It’s like a candy store for food and wine lovers from 4-8 pm. $75 includes samplings from a selection of over 600 wines and a smorgasbord of gourmet nibbles. Beer and spirits available, as well.
Sun, Nov 16 – Stoller Family Estate in Dayton OR is opening up their Fermentation Room to volunteers and supporters of Meals on Wheels from 1-4 pm. Attendees will be treated to a special wine and food tasting wherein Stoller will donate 20% of the proceeds for sold holiday gift baskets to Meals on Wheels. Their sustainable tasting room alone is reason enough to make the drive. Experiencing their award-winning wines and supporting the mission of Meals on Wheels make it a win-win for everyone. Must RSVP by Nov 14 to Meagan at (503) 953-8130.

Upcoming events:

Tues, Nov 18 – Volcano Views and Brews just came on my radar last night when I met Luke from the Mount St. Helens Institute. It’s a wine (and beer)-friendly monthly lecture series. This month there’ll be survivors and close witnesses discussing their account of the 1980 St. Helens eruption. Held at Loowit Brewing in Vancouver and repeating in Longview on Thu, Nov 20 at the Hop n’Grape. Guests begin assembling at 5:30 pm. Presentation begins at 6:30 pm.
Wed, Nov 19-The Kiggins Theatre hosts the next Hello Vancouver! Doors open at 6 pm, pre-show antics begin at 7 pm and the entertainingly-emceed internet broadcast “community talk show”, complete with lots of local talent, ends by 9 pm. It’s a free event with different guests and topics featured each month and the reason it’s added here is that it’s a wine-friendly evening. Event-goers 21+ can purchases glasses of the cleverly-chosen Francis Ford Coppola wine to enjoy in the theatre. I’m not promising the most amazing wine you’ve ever had but it’s a terrific local gathering. Recommended for teens-adults.
Sat, Nov 22 – Bader Beer & Wine Supply on Grand Blvd is hosting three wine tasting evenings Sat, Nov 22, Nov 29 and Dec 6 beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 each and include a tasting of all five 2014-15 limited edition wine kits paired with small bites. Aspiring wine makers should plan to attend one of these fun and educational events. Limited to 32 people each night so purchase your ticket soon.

This weekend:

Downtown

Brewed – Carrying a selection of Columbia and Willamette Valley wines, the folks at Brewed are well-educated on the choices available. Current offerings include Charles Smith’s earthy Boom Boom Syrah, AniChe Cellars’ Barbariccia which is a sangiovese blend, Locati Cellars’ Barbera and the ever-sassy Naked Winery’s Penetration Cabernet Sauvignon and Foreplay Chardonnay.

Burnt Bridge Cellars – Sun, Nov 16 – Hosting a wine education class focusing on holiday food pairings from 3-4 pm. $20 includes a glass of wine. No idea if there are seats left but worth e-mailing Missy at missy@burntbridgecellars.com to find out. Tasting their award-winning wines Sat-Sun noon-5 pm. Burnt Bridge wines can also be found on wine lists around town including Willem’s on Main, Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar and Roots Restaurant & Bar.

Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Fri, Nov 14 Five Star Cellars’ wine club fall release party from 5-8 pm. Not a member? Folks receive free tastings, appetizers & 20% off the first purchase of Five Star Cellars wine if you join Friday night. Also on Friday, listen to bluegrass band, Tried & Blue, perform from 6:30-8:30 pm while enjoying Farm to Fire Pizza for purchase from 5-9 pm. Come back on Sun, Nov 16 from 3-6 pm when Grape-ful Women will be hosting their Third Annual Wine and Toys event. $15 per ticket includes wine, food and an entry to win a Christmas tree. Attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift or gift card for a child. This event supports Family Solutions. RSVP deadline was Nov 12th but it doesn’t hurt to make a last-minute inquiry. Now open at noon Wed-Sun.

Charlie’s Bistro – Fri, Nov 14 – Old school crooners Boy & Bean share their love for prohibition-era jazz from 7:30-9:30 pm. Charlie’s has a great deal for wine lovers every Monday-50% off all bottles of wine $50 and under. Plus Saturday is always Flight Night from 4-10 pm.

East Fork Cellars – Hours for pouring their award-winning wines have been reduced to noon-5 pm on Sat for the winter months but folks can enjoy the new partnership with Gallery 360 in the same space, as well.

Evergreen Wine Cellar typically hosts a Friday night tasting from 5-8 pm for $5 per person but has several special tastings scheduled for the month of November. Contact Pam for her e-mail blast. Fri, Nov 21 will be wines specially-chosen for the Thanksgiving table.

The Grant House – Reserve your space sooner than later for their annual Sugar Plum Tea on Sat, Dec 6 from 1-3 pm. $30 for adults, $15 for 12 and under. Ballerinas from the Columbia Dance Production of The Nutcracker will be a special treat. Obviously not a wine-friendly event but The Grant House certainly upkeeps a nice wine selection in a cozy, historic establishment.

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 and antipasti. Featuring Portuguese wines the entire month of November. Mark your calendar for their Sun, Dec 7 Wine Dinner pairing foods with Small Vineyards wine-an importer specializing in small Mediterranean wines.

Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar – Their monthly wine tasting event (Thurs, Nov 20) will feature Thanksgiving dinner wine pairing suggestions beginning at 4 pm. Fri, Nov 21 Latte da will host a Sip and Paint event. $45 includes a glass of wine and all the materials necessary to create your own take

Niche Wine Bar has some great holiday events coming up including their annual Port tasting on Christmas eve

-home masterpiece in a bright and cheery space.

Niche Wine Bar – Keep some dates open. This cozy wine bar designed for wine enthusiasts is hosting their annual Beaujolais release party on Sat, Nov 29, bubble sampling on Mon, Dec 8 and their annual Port tasting on Christmas Eve from 4-8 pm. 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. Live entertainment every Saturday night.

Willem’s on Main – Just celebrated their one year anniversary a couple weeks ago. Time flies! 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 will be Sun, Dec 14. Detailed menu and featured winery TBA. Reservations required.

North Vancouver

Farrar’s Bistro – Stop into this Felida neighborhood restaurant and see how Farrar’s knocks the sox off its guests with unique appetizers like gorgonzola cheesecake and comfort food like smoked bbq meatloaf. Why not complete the cozy blanket feel with a bold sauvignon blanc or big fat zinfandel?

Hudson’s Bar and Grill – Inside the Heathman Lodge near Westfield Shopping Center. How could sipping a warming glass of wine at a cozy fireside table with soft piano music playing in the background not sound good this weekend? Come find your own spot under the massive Northwest logs and enjoy ‘Hudson’s Hour’ from 4-6 pm. You could do a lot worse than a place boasting Maryhill Winery as their house wine.

Village Vineyard – Sat, Nov 15-Hosting live music by a solo guitarist from 2-5 pm. Check out my recent detailed post about this gorgeous destination winery. Normal tasting room hours: Sat noon-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery – Sat, Nov 15-Confluence is celebrating their 6th anniversary from 12-5pm with live music, food pairings, barrel tasting and wine specials. They’ll also be releasing their 2012 Syrah for the first time to wine club members. This Syrah starts with smoke and finishes with beautiful chocolate notes- a gorgeous evolution from beginning to end. Sat, Nov 22 – Local favorite, Matt Brown, is back from Nashville and playing from 2-5 pm. Confluence will be closed during the Thanksgiving Weekend Clark County wine tour so come grab some of your favorites beforehand.

Tasting room hours Sat-Sun noon-5 pm.

Koi Pond Cellars – Sat, Nov 15 from 5-7 pm live music by Adrian Martin. Mural and artwork by resident artist, Micah Boylan, graces the walls. Happy hour Wed-Fri from 4-7 pm. Live music often scheduled on Saturday nights from 5-7 pm. Open Wed-Sun.

Gougér Cellars – Thur, Nov 20 from 6-9 pm Gary will be pouring his wines at the Ridgefield Shorty’s Nursery location Ladies Night event. Fri, Nov 21 – A Sharon’s Paint & Pour event beginning at 6 pm. All the supplies needed plus your first glass of wine is included in the $40 fee. Special pricing for couples. Wed-Sun enjoy Gary’s award-winning wine line up with some non-alcoholic ice creams or food options that go beyond small bites. Live music some weekends.

Bethany Vineyards – Tasting their consistently elegant wines Fri and Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. Walt’s currently experimenting successfully with a Russian grape- golubok-that’s growing well in our area.

Three Brothers Vineyard – Recently released two new wines – their 2011 Sangiovese Reserve would be an excellent choice to warm up during our bitter cold snap. Come out to take advantage of their Fall wine sale still in process. Tasting hours Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Pomeroy Cellars – Thurs, Dec 4 – and all other Thur through the month of December, Pomeroy will be open 5-9 pm with $4.75 glass pours, dinner-for-purchase and a game night. Sat, Dec 6 – 3:30-6 pm will be a do-it-yourself holiday gift and decoration party. The $50 fee will include all supplies and wine. Open Sat & Sun each weekend. 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 – Fri, Nov 14 – $5 on select glasses of wine from 4-9 pm, dinner from 5-8:30 pm and entertainment from 6-9 pm by Bobby Greer who boasts a musical relationship with Elvis among others. Sat, Nov 15 – From 1-5 pm, come meet local author, Spike Walker, who’s writings inspired the TV show “The Deadliest Catch” and the movie “The Guardian.” Live musical performance from 6-9 pm by Grammy award-guitarist, Doug Smith, and his wife, Judy Koch-Smith. With cooler days upon us, Moulton Falls has switched out their Sunday special from Sangria to glühwein (German-inspired hot spiced wine). Come enjoy a cup from noon-6 pm.

Heisen House Vineyards introduced two new wines at their Oct Crush Festival. If you weren’t there, check out their 2012 Sangiovese and 2012 Syrah this weekend. Open Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Olequa Cellars – Next wine tasting will be Fri, Nov 28-Sun, Nov 30 for the Thanksgiving weekend Clark County wine frenzy along with several other area wineries. Wines by the bottle or by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards – Wed, Dec 3 – Hosting Ladies Night from 6-9 pm complete with locally-sourced shopping. Check out their newly released Chocolate Syrah Port, sipping chocolate and vin chaud during this frigid spell. The tasting room is toasty thanks to the full-on move 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 – Sat, Nov 15 – Stop by from 6-8 pm to hear the classical crossover guitarist, David Rogers, who’s been written up in The Washington Post and New York Times. This weekend’s featured local wine is Bethany Vineyard’s 2010 Petit Syrah. Pair their Spanish wines with Spanish tapas Thur-Sat from 4-9 pm.

Pasta GiGi’s – Kathy is always cooking up a weekend special to go with her ever-expanding wine list and this weekend she’s taken my favorite dish, Crespelle, and put an anticipated fall twist on it; “butternut squash with a sage cream sauce, sautéed kale, wild mushrooms, and asparagus.” Amazing, fresh Italian food with a passionate wine staff like Lindsey and Kathryn– a pairing made in Heaven.

The little white house occupied by C'est La Vie Crêperie is just cozy, cozy, cozy — The little white house occupied by C’est La Vie Crêperie is just cozy, cozy, cozy

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 French toast with mixed berry compote and chantilly creme. 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.

Roots Restaurant & Bar– My purée of cauliflower soup with spaghetti sauce and chanterelle mushroom entrée last weekend was over the moon. An extensive list of quality wines by the glass or bottle are showcased. 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 – Fri, Nov 14 – Be entertained by the sounds of John Jamieson, and a spaghetti dinner with dessert. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. Wed, Nov 19 beginning at 6:30 pm Rebecca’s Collections will offer a Wine About Painting event. “$40 includes a glass of wine, appetizers and all the tools you need.” Thur, Nov 20 – English Estate will be pouring their wines at the Mill Plain Shorty’s Nursery for their annual Holiday Ladies Night event from 6-9 pm. The only winery open Monday from 4:30-7 pm with $5 glasses of wine to start your week off right.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Come out this Sunday to see what’s up Dennis’s sleeves for his weekly wine flight pouring beginning at 4 pm. 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 – Wed, Nov 19 presenting wines by Walla Walla’s own Basel Cellars paired with light appetizers from 6-8 pm. $40 per person. Reservations required.

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 in this frigid weather – 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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Weekend wrap up for Nov 7

East Fork Cellars took up residence inside the circa 1867 historic Slocum House in August 2013. Gallery 360 officially joins them this Friday, Nov 7th.

Weekend highlights:

Whole Foods Market on Mill Plain – Hosting a “Taste of Thanksgiving” TONIGHT from 5-8 pm. For $5 participants can sample this complete holiday dinner and those 21 & over will enjoy it paired with carefully-selected wines. All proceeds go to the Vancouver-based charitable organization, Share.
Downtown Camas First Fridays – It’s that time again and this month’s theme is “Hats off to Harvest.” Pie tasting will be available at participating merchant locations and, no doubt, Krystal’s Champagne Lounge and Birch Street Uptown Lounge will be in celebratory mode.
Downtown Vancouver First Friday Art Walk – Along with the many merchants staying open later hours in the Arts District, tonight is the long-anticipated Grand Opening of Gallery 360 inside East Fork Cellars’ Slocum House. Live music and wine will be available. Burnt Bridge Cellars always opens its doors on First Friday from 4-8 pm, as well, with wine tasting and small bites by Class Cooking and Cellar 55 Tasting Room will feature local artists, dinner for purchase by Jo Foody from 5-9 pm and live bluegrass and Americana music from 6:30-8:30 pm. Grab an umbrella and support local artists.

Upcoming events:

Bader Beer & Wine Supply on Grand Blvd is hosting three wine tasting evenings Sat, Nov 22, Nov 29 and Dec 6 beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 each and include a tasting of all five 2014-15 limited edition wine kits paired with small bites. Aspiring wine makers should plan to attend one of these fun and educational events. Limited to 32 people each night so purchase your ticket soon.
The Northwest Food & Wine Festival at Doubletree Lloyd Center – It’s like a candy store for food and wine lovers on Sat, Nov 15 from 4-8 pm. $75 includes samplings from a selection of over 600 wines and a smorgasbord of gourmet nibbles. Beer and spirits available, as well.
Stoller Family Estate in Dayton OR is opening up their Fermentation Room to volunteers and supporters of Meals on Wheels Sun, Nov 16 from 1-4 pm. Attendees will be treated to a special wine and food tasting wherein Stoller will donate 20% of the proceeds for sold holiday gift baskets to Meals on Wheels. Their sustainable tasting room alone is reason enough to make the drive. Experiencing their award-winning wines and supporting the mission of Meals on Wheels make it a win-win for everyone. Must RSVP by Nov 14 to Meagan at (503) 953-8130.

This weekend:

Downtown

Burnt Bridge Cellars – Their doors will be open this Friday for the First Friday Art Walk from 4-8 pm with wine tasting and small bites provided by Class Cooking. Tasting their award-winning wines Sat-Sun noon-5 pm. Burnt Bridge wines can also be found on wine lists around town including Willem’s on Main, Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar and Roots Restaurant & Bar.

Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Featuring local artists, dinner for purchase by Jo Foody from 5-9 pm and live bluegrass and Americana music from 6:30-8:30 pm for First Friday Art Walk tomorrow night. Wine & Canvas will be hosting one of their ever-popular painting parties on Mon, Nov 10. Sun, Nov 16 from 3-6 pm, Grape-ful Women will be hosting their Third Annual Wine and Toys event. $15 per ticket includes wine, food and an entry to win a Christmas tree. Attendees are asked to bring an unwrapped gift or gift card for a child. This event supports Family Solutions. RSVP by November 12th. Now open at noon Wed-Sun.

Charlie’s Bistro – Blues by Sidestreet Reny will be featured this Friday from 7-10 pm. Charlie’s has a great deal for wine lovers every Monday-50% off all bottles of wine $50 and under. Plus Saturday is always Flight Night from 4-10 pm.

East Fork Cellars – Re-opening this Friday in time for the First Friday Art Walk and unveiling their new partnership with Gallery 360. See top of post for details.

Evergreen Wine Cellar typically hosts a Friday night tasting from 5-8 pm for $5 per person but has several special tasting scheduled for the month of November. Fri, Nov 7 tasting Jeff Runquist wines at the newly-opened We Plan It located near Beaches on the Columbia River. Wed, Nov 12 Port tastings at Cellar 55 Tasting Room. Fri, Nov 21 back at Evergreen Wine Cellar’s own location for a line up of wines specially-chosen for the Thanksgiving table.

The Grant House – Part of the Vancouver First Friday Art Walk, The Grant House will be featuring live music this Friday night along with their consistently impressive customer service and terrific dinner menu showcasing fresh, local ingredients. Future happenings include their Autumn wine dinner on Fri, Nov 7 which will feature Dobbes Family Estates wine paired with harvest favorites like butternut squash and short ribs. Sharon’s Paint ‘n Pour event upstairs on Nov 11 at 5:30 pm is sold out. Reserve your space sooner than later for their annual Sugar Plum Tea on Sat, Dec 6 from 1-3 pm. $30 for adults, $15 for 12 and under. Ballerinas from the Columbia Dance Production of The Nutcracker will be a special treat.

Niche Wine Bar – Keep some dates open. This cozy wine bar designed for wine enthusiasts is hosting their annual Beaujolais release party on Sat, Nov 29, bubble sampling on Mon, Dec 8 and their annual Port tasting on Christmas Eve from 4-8 pm. 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. Live entertainment every Saturday night.

Willem’s on Main – Just celebrated their one year anniversary last week. Time flies! 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. Sun, Nov 9 – Featuring Bethany Vineyard wines paired with their 4-course Prime Rib dinner which is quickly becoming a must ritual.

North Vancouver

Farrar’s Bistro – Stop into this Felida neighborhood restaurant and see how Farrar’s knocks the sox off its guests with unique appetizers like salmon won tons and gorgonzola cheesecake and comfort food like today’s taco salad and turkey Dijon soup. Why not complete the cozy blanket feel with a big fat Zinfandel or bold Sauvignon Blanc?

Village Vineyard – Check out my recent detailed post about this gorgeous destination winery. Normal tasting room hours: Sat noon-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery – Sat, Nov 15 from noon-5 pm, Confluence will celebrate their 6th anniversary with live music, food and wine. Come on out and thank them for choosing Ridgefield to produce consistently premium wines in. Tasting room hours Sat-Sun noon-5 pm.

Challenge and Baby Girl enjoying the inviting tasting room of Koi Pond Cellars in Ridgefield — White dog Wednesday as Challenge and Baby Girl enjoy the inviting tasting room of Koi Pond Cellars in Ridgefield

Koi Pond Cellars – I met Sara and some of her friendly fam last night when my husband and I stopped by for their happily-priced Geisha Red . A new mural by esident artist, Micah Boylan, was gracing a wall. Happy hour Wed-Fri from 4-7 pm. Live music often scheduled on Saturday nights from 5-7 pm. Open Wed-Sun.

Gougér Cellars – Thur, Nov 20 from 6-9 pm Gary will be pouring his wines at the Ridgefield Shorty’s Nursery location Ladies Night event. Plenty of indoor seating to enjoy his award-winning wine line up with some non-alcoholic ice creams or food options that go beyond small bites. Live music some weekends. Open Wed-Sun.

Bethany Vineyards – Walt’s wines being featured this Sun, Nov 9th with the four-course Prime Rib dinner at Willem’s on Main. Tasting their consistently elegant wines Fri and Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. Walt’s first vintage was 2002 and recent tastes have proven that his wines are aging beautifully. Currently experimenting successfully with a Russian grape that’s growing well in our area.

Three Brothers Vineyard – Recently released two new wines – their 2011 Sangiovese Reserve would be an excellent choice to warm up with this rainy fall weekend. Tasting hours Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Pomeroy Cellars – Save the date: Sat, Dec 6 from 3:30-6 pm a do-it-yourself holiday gift and decoration party. The $50 fee will include all supplies and wine. Open Sat & Sun each weekend.

Moulton Falls Winery – Novemberfest this Sat, Nov 8 beginning at 11 am in conjunction with the last Wine Train of the year. All aboard the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad at noon and back to the winery in time to enjoy music by Five Drunk Cowboys, blues guitarist, Terry Robb, and a lasagna dinner. Veterans receive 20% off train tickets. Fri, Nov 7 Tom May plays from 6-9 pm. With cooler days upon us, Moulton Falls has switched out their Sunday special from Sangria to glühwein (German-inspired hot spiced wine). Come enjoy a cup from noon-6 pm.

Heisen House Vineyards introduced two new wines at their Oct 4 Crush Festival. If you weren’t there, check out their 2012 Sangiovese and 2012 Syrah this weekend. Open Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

The cozy tasting room of Olequa Cellars in Battle Ground

Olequa Cellars – Tastes every other Saturday. Next wine tasting day is this Saturday, Nov 8 from noon to 5 pm. Brian will be open Fri, Nov 28-Sun, Nov 30 for the Thanksgiving weekend wine frenzy along with several other area wineries. Wines by the bottle or by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards – Check out their newly released Chocolate Syrah Port, sipping chocolate and vin chaud in time for the wet-to-the-bones weather. Their recent renovation project, with a full-on move of their wood-fired pizza oven, is complete. 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. Save a space on your calendar for Wed, Dec 3 from 6-9 pm as they host Ladies Night complete with locally-sourced shopping. Something’s always going on at the Grape. Open Wed-Sun.

Emanar Cellars – Michael McCabe performing live again this Friday from 6-8 pm. Enjoy some of his gypsy jazz with a Spanish version of hot spiced wine. Pouring Confluence Vineyard’s 2012 Equilibrium by the glass this weekend along with their large selection of Spanish wines and tapas. Sat, Nov 15 from 6-8 pm stop by to hear the classical crossover guitarist, David Rogers, who’s been written up in The Washington Post and New York Times. Open Thu-Sat.

Pasta GiGi's signature dish, Crespelle, and my favorite! — Pasta GiGi’s signature dish, Crespelle, and my favorite!

Pasta GiGi’s – Kathy is always cooking up a weekend special to go with her ever-expanding wine list. Amazing, fresh Italian food with a passionate wine staff like Lindsey and Kathryn– a pairing made in Heaven.

East County

Roots Restaurant & Bar-Although not wine-based, their Roasted Pumpkin Hot Buttered Rum looks amazing. An extensive list of quality wines by the glass or bottle. 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 – Be entertained this Friday night by the sounds of vocalist, Marianne Flemming, and a meaty hangar steak salad with dessert. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. Wed, Nov 19 beginning at 6:30 pm Rebecca’s Collections will offer a Wine About Painting event. “$40 includes a glass of wine, appetizers and all the tools you need.” The only winery open Monday from 4:30-7 pm with $5 glasses of wine to start your week off right.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Dennis presided over the tasting of three ‘Righteous Rhones’ for last Sunday’s wine flight pouring. Come out this Sunday to see what’s in his bag of tricks beginning at 4 pm. 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 serves up more than bubbly in historic Camas with a few specials featured every Friday night. Sparkling, wines and beers also available. Will be participating in Camas First Friday on Nov 7, as always.

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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I’ve conjured up a few Halloween happenings and mark your calendar events

Evergreen Wine Cellar is hosting a few special tastings for the month of November. TONIGHT from 4-7:30 pm will be a random tasting. Typically five wines for $5. Fri, Nov 7 tasting Jeff Runquist wines at the newly-opened We Plan It located near Beaches on the Columbia River. Wed, Nov 12 Port tastings at Cellar 55 Tasting Room. Fri, Nov 21 back at Evergreen Wine Cellar’s own location for a line up of wines specially-chosen for the Thanksgiving table.
Village Vineyard – Hosting a Halloween open house this Sat, Nov 1 from noon-7 pm. Adults in costume receive a free tasting. Children welcome. There’ll be snacks and live music to compliment this gorgeous destination winery. Normal tasting room hours: Sat noon-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm.
Pomeroy Cellars – The much-anticipated costume party is quickly approaching. Come enjoy the adult fun this Fri, Oct 31 from 6-10 pm. Pomeroy will be giving out Trick or Treat coupons for discounts on wine and retail items. Costumes will be judged between 8-9 pm and you must be present to win. Come join in this 21 and over celebration. Worth it just to see what the always stylish, Destiny Fuller, will be sporting.
Moulton Falls Winery – Just up the road from Pomeroy, Moulton will be hosting its own Halloween party – costumes optional, clothing mandatory – from 4-9 pm. Live music, hot spiced wine, cozy fire and fall nibbles to accompany it all. Pray for a rainy, blustery night because only then will Joe be offering his famous chili-mac with cheese and onion as a dinner option along with their ever-present wood fired pizzas.

Upcoming events:

Bader Beer & Wine Supply on Grand Blvd is hosting three wine tasting evenings Sat, Nov 22, Nov 29 and Dec 6 beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 each and include a tasting of all five 2014-15 limited edition wine kits paired with small bites. Aspiring wine makers should plan to attend one of these fun and educational events. Limited to 32 people each night so purchase your ticket soon.
Stoller Family Estate in Dayton OR is opening up their Fermentation Room to volunteers and supporters of Meals on Wheels Sun, Nov 16 from 1-4 pm. Attendees will be treated to a special wine and food tasting wherein Stoller will donate 20% of the proceeds for sold holiday gift baskets to Meals on Wheels. Their sustainable tasting room alone is reason enough to make the drive. Experiencing their award-winning wines and supporting the mission of Meals on Wheels make it a win-win for everyone. Must RSVP by Nov 14 to Meagan at (503) 953-8130.

This weekend:

Downtown

Burnt Bridge Cellars – Tasting their award-winning wines Sat-Sun noon-5 pm. Burnt Bridge wines can also be found on wine lists around town including Willem’s on Main, Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar and Roots Restaurant & Bar.

Cellar 55 Tasting Room – No music planned this Friday due to Halloween but they will be open until 9 pm so come escape the chaos in a mellow, wine-focused spot with a can’t-go-wrong selection from four Eastern Washington wineries paired with a meat and cheese plate and lots of intimate seating. Wine & Canvas will be hosting one of their ever-popular painting parties on Mon, Nov 10. New hours. Now open at noon Wed-Sun.

Charlie’s Bistro – Solo guitarist, Michael Baker, accompanies all that goes bump in the night this Friday from 7-10 pm. Charlie’s has a great deal for wine lovers every Monday-50% off all bottles of wine $50 and under. Plus Saturday is always Flight Night from 4-10 pm.

East Fork Cellars – The word is that East Fork will re-open in time for the First Friday Art Walk Nov 7, unveiling their new partnership with Gallery 360. Stay tuned for details.

Evergreen Wine Cellar typically hosts a Friday night tasting from 5-8 pm for $5 per person but has several special tasting scheduled for the month of November. See top of this post for details.

The Grant House has a wonderful happy hour and terrific dinner menu showcasing fresh, local ingredients. They recently added a new cider to their offerings. Excellent fall location to check that out. Future happenings include their Autumn wine dinner on Nov 7 which will feature Dobbes Family Estates wine paired with harvest favorites like butternut squash and short ribs as well as a Sharon’s Paint ‘n Pour event upstairs on Nov 11 at 5:30 pm.

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 and antipasti. Mark your calendar for their Sun, Dec 7 Wine Dinner pairing foods with Small Vineyards wine-an importer specializing in small Mediterranean wines.

Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar – Thurs, Oct 30 is their monthly wine tasting event beginning at 4 pm. Also hosting a children’s Halloween party this Saturday from 2-4 pm. Come see for yourself how much this place has to offer Clark County.

Willem’s on Main – Just celebrated their one year anniversary yesterday. Time flies! Excellent happy hour Tues-Sat from 4:30-6:30 pm to enjoy with their carefully-prepared wine list, 50% off bottles under $40 on Tuesdays.

North Vancouver

Farrar’s Bistro – Hosting a Bingo night this Sunday beginning at 5:30 pm. If that sounds interesting, stop into this Felida neighborhood restaurant and see how Farrar’s knocks the sox off its guests with unique appetizers like salmon won tons and gorgonzola cheesecake and soul food like today’s Ham & Cheddar Melt sandwich or Prime Rib dinner. Why not pair some comfort with a big fat Zinfandel or bold Sauvignon Blanc?

Village Vineyard – Hosting a Halloween open house this Sat, Nov 1 from noon-7 pm. Adults in costume receive a free tasting. Children welcome. There’ll be snacks and live music to compliment this gorgeous destination winery. Normal tasting room hours: Sat noon-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery – Call now to purchase tickets for their Winemaker’s Dinner Sun, Nov 2 at 5 pm. Chef Peter Dougherty of La Bottega will be preparing a five-course menu complete with antipasto, braised beef shank and pumpkin crème brûlée to accompany Confluence’s French oak-aged wines. Save Nov 22 & 23 to help Confluence celebrate their 6th anniversary. Tasting room hours Sat-Sun noon-5 pm.

Koi Pond Cellars – Drawing the winner of an art and wine raffle this Fri, Oct 31. Each $5 ticket gets you closer to a bottle of Koi Pond’s Cabernet Sauvignon and a painting by resident artist, Micah Boylan. Happy hour Wed-Fri from 4-7 pm. Live music is typically scheduled on Saturday nights from 5-7 pm. Open Wed-Sun.

Gougér Cellars – Plenty of indoor seating to enjoy his award-winning wine line up with some non-alcoholic ice creams or food options that go beyond small bites. Live music some weekends. Open Wed-Sun.

Bethany Vineyards – Tasting their consistently elegant wines Fri and Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. Walt’s first vintage was 2002 and recent tastes have proven that his wines are aging beautifully. Currently experimenting successfully with a Russian grape that’s growing well in our area.

Three Brothers Vineyard – Released two new wines last weekend. Their 2011 Sangiovese Reserve would be an excellent choice to warm up with this rainy fall weekend. Tasting hours Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Pomeroy Cellars – The much-anticipated costume party is quickly approaching. Come enjoy the adult fun this Fri, Oct 31 from 6-10 pm. Pomeroy will be giving out Trick or Treat coupons for discounts on wine and retail items. Costumes will be judged between 8-9 pm and you must be present to win. Come join in this 21 and over celebration. Worth it just to see what the always stylish, Destiny Fuller, will be sporting. Save the date: Saturday evening, Dec 6, do-it-yourself holiday gift and decoration party, fee will include all supplies and wine. More info TBA.

Moulton Falls Winery – Just up the road from Pomeroy, Moulton will be hosting its own Halloween party – costumes optional, clothing mandatory – from 4-9 pm. Live music, hot spiced wine, cozy fire and fall nibbles to accompany it all. Pray for a rainy, blustery night because only then will Joe be offering his famous chili-mac with cheese and onion as a dinner option along with their ever-present wood fired pizzas. Fall pasta dinner accompanies lives Celtic music this Sat, Nov 1. Novemberfest coming Sat, Nov 8 beginning at 11 am in conjunction with the last Wine Train of the year. All aboard the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad at noon and back to the winery in time to enjoy music by Five Drunk Cowboys, blues guitarist, Terry Robb, and a lasagna dinner. Veterans receive 20% off train tickets.

Heisen House Vineyards introduced two new wines at their Oct 4 Crush Festival. If you weren’t there, check out 2012 Sangiovese and 2012 Syrah this weekend. Open Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Olequa Cellars – Tastes every other Saturday. Next wine tasting day should be Saturday, Nov 8 from noon to 5 pm. Brian’s receptive to accommodating interested wine lovers with some advanced notice so give him a call at (360) 666-8012. Wines by the bottle or by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards – Look for their new release of Chocolate Syrah Port, sipping chocolate and vin chaud to be making an appearance in time for the wet-to-the-bones weather. Literally ‘hot wine’ in French, vin chaud is made with red wine, a selection of fall spices and sometimes a shot of liquor. Interesting to see Rusty’s version. Check out their recent renovation project, complete with a full-on move of their wood-fired pizza oven. Wednesday is 2 wood-fired pizzas for $15 ,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 – Their one year anniver-sherry was a success but they’re not tired yet. Ramping up for a laid back Halloween celebrating this Fri with their Spanish wines and tapas featuring Koi Pond Cellars’ Geisha red as their local wine of the week. This Saturday come by from 3-6 pm for a Noonday Collection trunk show showcasing the wares of female artisans in developing countries.

East County

Roots Restaurant & Bar-An extensive list of quality wines by the glass or bottle. 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 – ‘Ghoulish Times & Blood Red Wine’ is the theme this Friday night. Dinner is chicken pumpkin curry and there will be a costume contest and live music to lift the spirits (pardon the pun). Music and food begin at 6 p.m. The only winery open Monday from 4:30-7 pm with $5 glasses of wine to start your week off right. Consider joining the Nov 19 Wine About Painting event at 6:30 pm.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Getting ready for a Halloween-themed Friday night. Live music beginning at 8 pm this Fri and Sat. Sunday wine flight pouring begins at 4 pm. Last Sunday was a Tuscan flight. Stop in this Sunday to see what Dennis scares up at this classic cocktail lounge.

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 in the fall – 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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Niche Wine Bar’s four-year anniversary tonight and weekend happenings

Enjoyed a Phelps Creek Winery Pinot Noir at Niche Wine Bar during the Drink This! Vancouver event last weekend

Weekend highlights:

Niche Wine Bar celebrates their four-year anniversary TONIGHT (Thurs, Oct 23) right next door at the Kiggins Theatre. Folks can enjoy a glass of wine and/or appys at Niche and then mosey on over to enjoy the grandeur of the historic theatre while watching a line up of French films. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance by contacting Niche. You can also purchase a bottle of vino at Niche to enjoy throughout the viewings. $10 corkage fee. It all starts at 6 pm.
Emanar Cellars is celebrating their one-year anniver-sherry with sherry tastings from 4-9 pm this Thur, Fri and Sat. Live music by guitarist, Michael McCabe, from 6-8 pm on Friday and a Spanish Wine & Chocolate fundraiser to bring Ruslan home for Christmas on Saturday.
English Estate Winery – Fifth annual Chili cook-off and pumpkin-carving contest this Sat, Oct 25 from 2-5 pm. Music by Laura May 2:30-4:30pm. This is a 21 and over event. Friday night dinner is maple-glazed ham with all the fixings and music by Caryn Jamieson. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. The only winery open Monday from 4:30-7 pm.

This weekend:

Downtown

Brewed – Carrying a selection of Columbia and Willamette Valley wines, the folks at Brewed are well-educated on the choices available.

Burnt Bridge Cellars – Recovered from another successful Drink This! Vancouver event last Saturday. Back to regular wine tasting hours Sat-Sun noon-5 pm.

Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Vocalist Chris Taylor is performing this Fri from 6:30-8:30 pm. His soulful voice will be aptly paired with The Pit BBQ fro 5-9 pm. New hours. Now open at noon Wed-Sun.

Charlie’s Bistro – Charlie’s has a great deal for wine lovers every Monday-50% off all bottles of wine $50 and under. Plus Saturday is always Flight Night from 4-10 pm. Tomorrow night solo guitarist, John Bunzow, plays from 7-10 pm.

East Fork Cellars – It appears they’re still closed while Gallery 360 moves in to share space and offer even more to wine and art enthusiasts when they re-open. Definitely looking to be open for the First Friday Art Walk Nov 7.

Evergreen Wine Cellar typically hosts a Friday night tasting from 5-8 pm for $5 per person but changed this weeks’ day and location to support her friend, Wendy, who just opened We Plan It. Look forward to her regularly-scheduled Friday night tasting to resume next week.

The Grant House has a wonderful happy hour and terrific dinner menu showcasing fresh, local ingredients. They recently added a new cider to their offerings. Excellent fall location to check that out. Future happenings include their Autumn wine dinner on Nov 7 which will feature Dobbes Family Estates wine paired with harvest favorites like butternut squash and short ribs as well as a Sharon’s Paint ‘n Pour event upstairs on Nov 11 at 5:30 pm.

La Bottega – Terrific casual Italian dining with a wine list to complement each flavor profile. Wine tasting every Wednesday night from 5-7 pm. $12 includes four tastings and antipasti.

Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar – Keep Oct 30 open for their monthly wine tasting event beginning at 4 pm. Also hosting a children’s Halloween party this Saturday from 2-4 pm. Come see for yourself how much this place has to offer Clark County.

Niche Wine Bar – Celebrating their four-year anniversary at Kiggins Theatre tonight (see top of post). A cozy wine bar designed for wine enthusiasts. 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. Live entertainment every Saturday night.

Willem’s on Main – Excellent happy hour Tues-Sat from 4:30-6:30 pm to enjoy with their carefully-prepared wine list, 50% off bottles under $40 on Tuesdays.

North Vancouver

Farrar’s Bistro – In the Felida neighborhood Farrar’s knocks the sox off its guests with unique appetizers like salmon won tons and gorgonzola cheesecake and soul food like today’s French Dip Sandwich. Why not stop in and pair some comfort with a big fat Zinfandel or bold Sauvignon Blanc?

Village Vineyard – Tastings at this gorgeous destination winery are from noon-6 pm Sat and 11 am-5 pm Sun.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery – Call now to purchase tickets for their Winemaker’s Dinner Sat, Nov 2 at 5 pm. Chef Peter Dougherty of La Bottega will be preparing the perfect menu to accompany Confluence’s French oak-aged wines. Tasting room hours Sat-Sun noon-5 pm.

Koi Pond Cellars has a too-good-to-be-true happy hour Wed-Fri from 4-7 pm. This Saturday guests can listen to live music from Erik Sutten from 5-7 pm while sipping on, say, a Geisha Red. Open Wed-Sun.

Gougér Cellars – Live music by solo guitarist Ron Hughes from 5-8 pm this Friday. Not sure if Gary’s recently-completed back deck is covered but there’s plenty of indoor seating to enjoy his award-winning wine line up with some non-alcoholic ice creams or food options that go beyond small bites. Open Wed-Sun.

Three Brothers Vineyard – Their ’10 Brethren Cuvee would be an excellent choice to warm up with this rainy fall weekend. Tasting hours Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Pomeroy Cellars – Opening earlier the month of October to coordinate with Pumpkin Lane on the same property; 10 am-6 pm Sat, 11am-6 pm Sun. Newsflash: They’re also hosting an adult Halloween Party on Oct 31 from 6-10 pm. Worth it just to see what the always stylish, Destiny, will be sporting.

Moulton Falls Winery – Novemberfest coming Sat, Nov 8 beginning at 11 am in conjunction with the last Wine Train of the year. All aboard the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad at noon and back to the winery in time to enjoy music by Five Drunk Cowboys, blues guitarist, Terry Robb, and a lasagna dinner. Veterans receive 20% off train tickets. Live music this Fri by Grammy award-winning guitarist, Doug Smith, accompanied by his wife, Judy Koch-Smith and Sat Wayne Hoffman and Mollie Hart 6-9 pm. Award-winning wine, beautiful scenery and wood-fired pizza available Fri-Sun.

Heisen House Vineyards introduced two new wines at their Oct 4 Crush Festival. If you weren’t there, check out 2012 Sangiovese and 2012 Syrah this weekend. Open Fri-Sun.

Olequa Cellars – Next wine tasting day this Saturday, Oct 25 from noon to 5 pm. Brian’s receptive to accommodating interested wine lovers with some advanced notice so give him a call at (360) 666-8012. Wines by the bottle or by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards – Look for sipping chocolate and vin chaud to be making an appearance in time for the wet-to-the-bones weather. Literally ‘hot wine’ in French, vin chaud is made with red wine, a selection of fall spices and sometimes a shot of liquor. Interesting to see Rusty’s version. Check out their recent renovation project, complete with a full-on move of their wood-fired pizza oven. Open Wed-Sun.

Cozy up to Emanar Cellars' bar for their one year anniver-sherry this Thu-Sat — Cozy up to Emanar Cellars’ bar for their one year anniver-sherry this Thu-Sat

Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground Village is celebrating their one year anniver-sherry with sherry tastings Thur-Sat from 4-9 pm along with their impressive selection of quality Spanish wines. Enjoy guitarist, Michael McCabe Fri from 6-8 pm. Excited to hear his gypsy jazz and Spanish classical. This Sat is the Spanish Wine & Chocolate fundraiser to bring Ruslan home for Christmas. A lot going on at Emanar so stop by and join in.

East County

The Loafing Shed at English Estate Winery – plenty of cozy indoor seating for the fall weather

English Estate Winery – Fifth annual Chili cook-off and pumpkin-carving contest this Sat, Oct 25 from 2-5 pm. Music by Laura May 2:30-4:30pm. This is a 21 and over event. Friday night dinner is maple-glazed ham with all the fixings and music by Caryn Jamieson. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. The only winery open Monday from 4:30-7 pm.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Live music beginning at 8 pm this Fri and Sat. Sunday wine flight pouring begins at 4 pm. Spend some time cozying up at this classic cocktail lounge and enjoy the behind-the-bar entertainment of Dennis as a bonus.

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 right now – this is the place to be (they have indoor seating). Their food menu is tantalizing, their wait staff is friendly and accommodating and they typically host live music on Friday nights. Check their Facebook page.

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A couple anniversaries to celebrate in our wine family

Cellar 55 Tasting Room is ready to welcome guests to join in their one year anniversary this Sat, Oct 18

Weekend highlights:

Cellar 55’s one year anniversary – Known for years as a convenient and affordable place to store vino for the casual wine enthusiast up to avid collectors, Michelle Brinning partnered with Trish Nolan last fall to expand into a full-fledged tasting room and the ladies are celebrating their one year anniversary this Sat, Oct 18 from 6-9 pm. Come join in the festivities and taste wines from four Eastern Washington wineries known for their hand-crafted wines using grapes sourced from Washington
Drink This! Vancouver is hosting an event this Sat, Oct 18 from 4-9 pm with stops at Burnt Bridge Cellars, Cellar 55 Tasting Room, Charlie’s Bistro and Niche Wine Bar among the 15 downtown businesses participating. Pick up a map of the route at any participating location and support local.
Rusty Grape Vineyards – Say prost at their combined 8 year anniversary and Oktoberfest celebration from 4-10 pm this Sat, Oct 18. German-inspired food, featuring their new Barrel Roll Blonde and Tin Roof Cider. Those dressed in German attire will receive a discount on a bottle of wine.

This weekend:

Downtown

Brewed – Carrying a selection of Columbia and Willamette Valley wines, the folks at Brewed are well-educated on the choices available.

Burnt Bridge Cellars – Sat-Sun noon-5 pm wine tasting. Stop on Drink This! Vancouver Oct 18 from 4-9 pm.

Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Hosting their one year anniversary and participating in Drink This! Vancouver (see top of post).

Charlie’s Bistro – Solo guitarist, Colin Ranney, accompanies fine wines and a satisfying dinner menu Friday night from 7:30-9:30 pm. Along with their regular Saturday Flight Night from 4-10 pm, Charlie’s is one of the stops on Oct 18^th Drink This! Vancouver featuring Double V Distillery.

East Fork Cellars should’ve reopened Fri, Oct 3^rd after their September-long remodeling project but I don’t have confirmation on that. Enjoy tastings on Fri, Sat and Sun beginning at 11 am.

Cozy interior seating at Evergreen Wine Cellar surrounded by fine wines from around the world and old piano covers-a nod to when the space used to be a piano store

Evergreen Wine Cellar hosts a great Friday night tasting from 5-8 pm for $5 per person. Tomorrow Pam is sure to be featuring another great line up. Remember Valley of the Moon Zinfandel, which typically sells for $25, is on sale this month for $19.99/bottle. Evergreen has a neighborhood feel with a friendly cast of regulars whose mission it is to make you one by nights’ end.

The Grant House has a wonderful happy hour and terrific dinner menu showcasing fresh, local ingredients. Future happenings include their Autumn wine dinner on Nov 7 which will feature Dobbes Family Estates wine paired with harvest favorites like butternut squash and short ribs as well as a Sharon’s Paint ‘n Pour event upstairs on Nov 11 at 5:30 pm.

La Bottega – Terrific casual Italian dining with a wine list to complement each flavor profile. Wine tasting every Wednesday night from 5-7 pm. $12 includes four tastings and antipasti.

Latte da Coffeehouse & Wine Bar – This place doesn’t serve just terrific coffee. They have a well-rounded wine list and some very nice food options to go with them, as well. Keep Oct 30 open for their monthly wine tasting event beginning at 4 pm.

Niche Wine Bar – This place designed for oenophiles is one of the stops on this weekends’ Drink This! Vancouver event Sat, Oct 18 from 4-9 pm. 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. Live entertainment every Saturday night.

Willem’s on Main – Excellent happy hour Tues-Sat from 4:30-6:30 pm to enjoy with their carefully-prepared wine list, 50% off bottles under $40 on Tuesdays..

North Vancouver

Salmon wontons, red snapper fish tacos, and hummus platter at Farrar's Bistro — Salmon wontons, red snapper fish tacos, and hummus platter at Farrar’s Bistro

Farrar’s Bistro – In the Felida neighborhood Farrar’s knocks the sox off its guests with unique appetizers like salmon won tons and gorgonzola cheesecake and soul food like tonight’s Prime Rib dinner. Why not stop in and pair some comfort with a big fat Zinfandel or bold Sauvignon Blanc?

Hudson’s Bar and Grill – Inside the Heathman Lodge near Westfield Shopping Center, I am a sucker for how Hudson’s is able to create an intimate space under the massive Northwest logs that surround guests sitting by the fireplace enjoying piano music Tues-Sat and a warming glass of wine accompanied by something so quintessentially Northwest as crab cakes.

Village Vineyard – Tastings at this gorgeous destination winery are from noon-6 pm Sat and 11 am-5 pm Sun.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery – Hosting their Harvest in the Vineyard this Sat and Sun from noon-6 pm with music, food and some barrel tasting.

Beautiful artwork by Micah lines the walls of Koi Pond's tasting room in downtown Ridgefield — Beautiful artwork by Micah lines the walls of Koi Pond’s tasting room in downtown Ridgefield

Koi Pond Cellars has a too-good-to-be-true happy hour Wed-Fri from 4-7 pm. This Saturday guests can listen to live music from Adrian Matrtin from 5-7 pm.

Gougér Cellars – Gary recently completed a back deck for some lazy wine sipping. Don’t know if this weekend’s weather will cooperate with outdoor sipping but you can still pair your wine selection with one of his non-alcoholic ice creams like Muscat with toasted oak or Zinfandel chocolate chip. Wine AND ice cream tasting under one roof…it doesn’t get much better than that.

Bethany Vineyards – Tasting their consistently elegant wines Fri and Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. For those fortunate enough to have been at WSU-Vancouver’s “The Promise of Washington Wines” last week, Walt gave an informative and entertaining presentation. I think he uncovered a natural talent for stand-up comedy.

Three Brothers Vineyard – You might still be able to get in on their Fall wine sale during this weekends’ tasting hours Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Moulton Falls Winery – Live music Fri and Sat 6-9 pm accompanies their award-winning wine, beautiful scenery and wood-fired pizza. Their Sangria Sunday specials might be winding down with the changing of the seasons so put a drive in the country on your weekend list and salud!

Heisen House Vineyards introduced two new wines at their recent Crush Festival. If you weren’t there, check out 2012 Sangiovese and 2012 Syrah this weekend.

Olequa Cellars – Next wine tasting day is Saturday, Oct 25 from noon to 5 p.m but Brian’s always willing to accommodate interested wine lovers with some advanced notice so give him a call at (360) 666-8012. Wines by the bottle or by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards – Check out their recent renovation project, complete with a full-on move of their wood-fired pizza oven, at their combined 8 year anniversary and Oktoberfest celebration this Sat, Oct 18 from 4-10 pm (See top of post).

Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground Village features a local winery each weekend along with their large selection of quality Spanish wines. New hours: Thu-Sat 4-9 pm. Mark your calendar for a Spanish Wine & Chocolate fundraiser on Oct 25 and their one year anniver-sherry celebration TBA.

Pasta GiGi’s – Kathy is always cooking up a weekend special to go with her ever-expanding wine list. Amazing, fresh Italian food with a knowledged wine staff – a pairing made in Heaven.

C’est La Vie Crêperie – Keri gives people an excuse to drink wine with the most important meal of the day – breakfast. Perfectly-flavored mimosas with such inspirations as plum galette or croissant French toast with peaches. Très bon.

East County

English Estate Winery’s Friday night dinner is a tamale pie with music by Tanner Cundy. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. The only winery open Monday from 4:30-7 pm.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Along with classic cocktails and live music on Fri & Sat, this classy spot has wine flights on Sundays beginning at 4 pm. Always interesting to see what Dennis will choose.

Krystal’s Champagne Lounge serves up more than bubbly in historic Camas with a few specials featured every Friday night. Sparkling, wines and beers also available.

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, this is the place to be (they have indoor seating). Their food menu is tantalizing, their wait staff is friendly and accommodating and they typically host live music on Friday nights. Check their Facebook page.

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A LONG list of excellent wine locations and weekend events

A soft, silky, sassy Revelry Cabernet Sauvignon paired with an olive mélange bowl at the Birch Street Uptown Lounge in Camas

I love the classics – an era of jazz I’m too young to be born into, old movies, drinks that would make Sinatra sway. If you’re like that, Birch Street Uptown Lounge in Camas is your kind of place, too. The bartender, Dennis, would be easily recognized behind a mahogany bar 70 years in the past. His knowledge of his craft is staggering and he has a true gift for making people comfortable and providing white-linen service without being stiff. And their wine list? Yes, he’s made sure to give as much attention to that as his Negroni-making skills. My Revelry Cabernet Sauvignon was smooth, silky and a little sassy…kind of like Dennis.

Below is an extensive list of places to sip quality vino and some weekend goings-on in the Clark County area. Who says you have to cross the bridge to elevate a weekend? If you feel I missed a good spot, let me know.

Downtown

Brewed – Carrying a selection of Columbia and Willamette Valley wines, the folks at Brewed are well-educated on the choices available.

Burnt Bridge Cellars – Sat-Sun noon-5 pm wine tasting.

Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Paired with their ever-changing and always interesting wine selection, Cellar 55 is hosting Spanish & Flamenco guitar this Friday night from 6:30-8:30 pm.

Charlie’s Bistro – The other-era sounds of Boy and Bean accompany fine wines and a satisfying dinner menu tomorrow night from 7:30-9:30 pm. Their courtyard seating might still be an inviting spot for a few more days. A plus: dog friendly. As always, Saturday is Flight Night from 4-10 pm.

East Fork Cellars should’ve reopened Fri, Oct 3^rd after their September-long remodeling project. Enjoy tastings on Fri, Sat and Sun beginning at 11 am.

Evergreen Wine Cellar hosts a great Friday night tasting from 5-8 pm for $5 per person. Tomorrow Pam is featuring Bateaux Cellars’ Pinot Gris, Cherry Pie Pinot Noir, Valley of the Moon Zinfandel which typically sells for $25 and is on sale this month for $19.99/bottle, a Moscato and Revelry Chardonnay. Evergreen has a neighborhood feel with a friendly cast of regulars whose mission it is to make you one by nights’ end.

The Grant House has a wonderful happy hour with a dog-friendly porch. Mark your calendar for their Autumn wine dinner which will feature Dobbes Family Estates wine paired with harvest favorites like butternut squash and short ribs.

La Bottega – Terrific casual Italian dining with a complimentary wine list. Wine tasting every Wednesday night from 5-7 pm. $12 includes four tastings and antipasti.

Niche Wine Bar – What more could an oenophile want than a place with 30+ pours available and a staff who knows their wine all in a relaxed atmosphere with walls decorated in local artists’ work? Live entertainment every Saturday night.

Willem’s on Main – Excellent happy hour Tues-Sat from 4:30-6:30 pm to enjoy with their carefully-prepared wine list, 50% off bottles under $40 on Tuesdays and this Sunday they’ll be hosting their first Prime Rib dinner showcasing wines from Bateaux Cellars.

North Vancouver

Village Vineyard – Tastings at this gorgeous destination winery are from noon-6 pm Sat and 11 am-5 pm Sun.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery is tasting from noon-6 pm this Saturday and Sunday but keep Oct 18 or 19 available. From noon-6 pm they’ll host Harvest in the Vineyard with music, food and some barrel tasting.

Koi Pond Cellars, which opened on June 28, has a too-good-to-be-true wine happy hour Wed-Fri from 4-7 pm. This Saturday they’ll also be featuring live music by Erik Sutten from 5-7 pm.

Gougér Cellars – Gary just completed a back deck for some lazy wine sipping. Head on out, enjoy the view of the llamas and pair your wine selection with one of his non-alcoholic ice creams like Muscat with toasted oak or Zinfandel chocolate chip. Wine AND ice cream tasting under one roof…it doesn’t get much better than that.

Bethany Vineyards – Tasting their consistently elegant wines Fri noon-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. For those fortunate enough to secure a ticket to WSU-Vancouver’s “The Promise of Washington Wines” presentation tomorrow, Walt will be one of two local speakers.

Three Brothers – Get in on their Fall wine sale and taste some award-winning wines Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Heisen House Vineyards introduced two new wines last weekend at their Crush Festival. If you weren’t there, check out 2012 Sangiovese and 2012 Syrah this weekend.

Olequa Cellars – Next wine tasting day is this Saturday, Oct 11 from noon to 5 p.m. Brian’s excellent wine-making skills are worth a visit. Wines by the bottle or by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards is completing their tasting room renovations, complete with a full-on move of their wood-fired pizza oven that adds extra ambience to this already cozy wine bar.

Battle Ground Produce typically hosts a free Friday wine tasting from 4-7 pm. Check Facebook for details.

Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground Village is featuring Rezabek Vineyards’ 2012 Tempranillo this weekend. New hours: Thu-Sat 4-9 pm. Rezabek is a local winery not yet open. Come be the first to sip their liquid promises. Live music by Sun City Players this Sat 6-8 pm if Laura is feeling better. All wines available by the taste, glass or bottle. Linger over their tapas menu which includes olives, almonds, a trio of cheeses served with quince paste spread over bread (very traditional Spanish tapas), as well as a few classic meat selections.

Pasta GiGi’s – Kathy is always cooking up a weekend special to go with her ever-expanding wine list. Amazing, fresh Italian food with a knowledged wine staff – a pairing made in Heaven.

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 live music from 6-10 pm every Sat in their dining room and you have a no-fail date night.

English Estate Winery’s Friday night dinner is German brat kababs with music by Wade Hendrix. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. Well-mannered dogs on leashes welcome outside.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Along with classic cocktails and live music on Fri & Sat, this classy spot has wine flights on Sundays beginning at 4 pm. This Sunday Dennis is featuring food-friendly Italians.

Krystal’s Champagne Lounge serves up more than bubbly in historic Camas with a few specials featured every Friday night (open Tues-Sat).

Puffin Café floats in 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, this is the place to be. Their food menu is inspired, their wait staff is friendly and accommodating and they typically host live music on Friday nights. Check their Facebook page.

Tons to do this weekend so head out and enjoy the last official weekend of Summer

The current release of wines at Pomeroy Cellars

What better way to celebrate the last full weekend of Summer than with some local wine tasting. I’ll be heading up the road to Pomeroy Cellars for their Grand Opening from noon-8 pm September 20^th. There’ll be complimentary chocolate pairings, a Bocce ball tournament, live music and one complimentary flight tasting per adult.

Crush is upon vineyards all over the U.S. and our area is no different. Look for Crush events at our local wineries over the next few weekends.

Downtown

Burnt Bridge Cellars – Aside from their regularly scheduled weekly wine tasting hours, Burnt Bridge is hosting a one hour Wine Education class from 3-4 pm on Sun, Sep 21.

Cellar 55 Tasting Room – Paired with their ever-changing and always interesting wine selection, Cellar 55 is hosting the Americana and classic rock sounds of local guitarist, Wade Hendrix, from 6:30-8:30 pm tonight.

Charlie’s Bistro – Colin Ranney, local guitarist and vocalist, performs from 7-10 pm tonight. Inviting courtyard seating and a thoughtful wine list make this a terrific place to be the last weekend of summer. A plus: dog friendly. As always, Saturday is Flight Night from 4-10 pm.

East Fork Cellars – is closed the month of September for a remodel. Look for them to reopen on Friday, October 3^rd.

Evergreen Wine Cellar typically hosts a great Friday night tasting from 5:30-8 pm for $5 per person. It has a neighborhood feel with a friendly cast of regulars who’s mission it is to make you one by nights’ end.

North Vancouver

Village Vineyard – Tastings at this gorgeous destination winery are from noon-6 pm Sat and 11 am-5 pm Sun.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery is tasting their 2012 bold reds-Tempranillo and Zinfandel-from noon-6 pm this Saturday and Sunday.

Koi Pond Cellars, which opened on June 28, is having a too-good-to-be-true deal. Buy 6 bottles of their 2012 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon and receive 6 bottles of their non-vintage Geisha for free. Located in the quaint downtown area of Ridgefield. Open daily but check them out this Saturday and stop by Ridgefield’s Farmers Market while you’re there.

Gougér Cellars – Rolling out some new ice cream flavors…all made non-alcoholic with the juice of grapes such as Muscat with toasted oak, Muscat with toasted coconut and Zinfandel chocolate chips. Wine AND ice cream tasting under one roof…it doesn’t get much better than that.

Bethany Vineyards – Tasting their consistently elegant wines Fri noon-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm.

Three Brothers Vineyard & Winery – Tasting award-winning wines Fri 1-6 pm, Sat noon-6 pm, Sun noon-5 pm

Pomeroy Cellars – Grand Opening this Saturday from noon-8 pm. Lots going on!

Moulton Falls Winery – Live music Fri 6-9 pm and Sat 6-9 pm will accompany their award-winning wine, beautiful scenery and wood-fired pizza. Their Sangria Sunday specials might be winding down with the changing of the seasons so put a drive in the country on your weekend list and salud!

Heisen House Vineyards is tasting seven of the wines in the line up this weekend and continuing their summer concert series tonight from 6-9 pm with Tevis Hodge Jr. Catered dinner available for purchase to accompany some local, refreshing vino.

Olequa Cellars – Next wine tasting day will be Saturday, September 27 from noon to 5 p.m. Brian’s excellent wine-making skills are worth the wait. Great bottle prices on a Red Mountain AVA wine or plan to sit a spell under the shade and enjoy his wines by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards is showing Footloose on their lawn tonight beginning at dusk (I’m never sure what time that actually is, either), their Bicyclette Rouge is on sale through this week and gearing up for Stompfest 2014 from noon-8 pm Saturday, September 27. Promising to be a riot as usual.

Battle Ground Produce typically hosts a free Friday wine tasting from 4-7 pm. Check Facebook for details.

Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground Village is featuring Olequa’s 2009 Caruso Red Reserve this weekend. Classical guitarist Michael McCabe will be complimenting the broad range of Spanish wines available by the taste, glass or bottle. Music Friday from 6-8 pm. Linger over their tapas menu which includes olives, almonds, a trio of cheeses served with quince paste spread over bread (very traditional Spanish tapas), as well as a few classic meat selections.

East County

English Estate Winery’s Friday night dinner is salmon and lemon risotto with music by Tom Mann. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. Come early to enjoy Yoga at the winery beginning at 5 pm.

Birch Street Uptown Lounge – Along with classic cocktails, live music on Fri & Sat, this classy spot has wine flights on Sundays beginning at 4 pm. This Sunday features three Chilean reds.

Krystal’s Champagne Lounge serves up more than bubbly in historic Camas with a few specials featured every Friday night.

Puffin Café floats along the port in Washougal. They have a limited wine selection but, if you’re in the mood to feel the island vibe without leaving town, this is the place to be. Their menu is varied, the ambience is hard to beat the last official weekend of Summer and they typically host live music on Friday nights. Check their Facebook page.

Lots of live music to accompany wine this weekend

Perfectly chilled wine, a picnic, some live music - what more can a person ask for to beat the heat wave in Clark County — Perfectly chilled wine, a picnic, some live music – what more can a person ask for to beat the heat wave in Clark County

Looking ahead:

July 19 – Cottonwood Winery of Oregon will host its 1^st annual Library Wines Night tasting and sales with winemaker, Aaron Lieberman, from 7-10 pm. Aaron is in business with his father, Phil, who has over 20 years of farming experience. The winery is located in Amity OR. $15 per person or $25/2 people with advanced purchase. Price includes tastings and some small bites.

This weekend:

Downtown

Downtown Vancouver’s First Friday was postponed to this Friday due to the 4^th of July holiday. 5-9 pm is designated as a time to enjoy different mediums of art, shops, restaurants and lounges get in the act, as well. East Fork Cellars and Cellar 55 Tasting Room try to schedule live music during First Fridays and Burnt Bridge Cellars opens its doors from 4-8 pm with small plates and wine tasting.

Charlie’s Bistro – Boy & Bean performs from 7:30-9:30 pm tonight. They’re a swingin’ trio from another era. Inviting outdoor seating and a thoughtful wine list make this a terrific place to be on a hot summer night.

Evergreen Wine Cellar is hosting a lineup of five wines from 5:30-8 pm for $5 per person. Included this week is Barnard Griffin’s 2012 Pinot Noir for $14 that I can personal vouch for being a delightfully fruit-forward Pinot.

North County

Confluence Vineyards and Winery recently released their 2013 Walla Walla Semillon – a perfect patio wine for the summer time. Singer/songwriter, Matt Brown, will be performing on Saturday from 2-5 pm. Jae describes his music as bluesy and soulful.

Koi Pond Cellars opened June 28. They’re in the quaint downtown area of Ridgefield (occupying the vacated Seventh Son Vineyard building). Open daily but check them out this Saturday and stop by Ridgefield’s Farmers Market while you’re there.

Three Brothers is hosting 80’s night with Radical Revolution this Sunday from 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.tickettomato.com.

Moulton Falls Winery is hosting Jeanne Walker this afternoon from 4-9 pm. Her vocals will accompany their award-winning wine, beautiful scenery and wood-fired pizza. Their Sangria Sunday specials are in full swing each Sunday from noon-6 pm.

Heisen House Vineyards hosts a summer concert series every Friday from 6-9 p.m. Check their Facebook page for tonight’s performance. Catered dinner available for purchase to accompany some local, refreshing vino.

Olequa Cellars is open this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Brian’s marking down some white wines to pair with the heat wave we’re experiencing. 2011 Chardonnay $10.80, 2012 Riesling $22.50 and 2013 Cabernet Franc Rose’ $13.50. You can also sit a spell under the shade and enjoy these wines by the glass.

Rusty Grape Vineyards is showing Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on their lawn tonight beginning at dusk (I’m never sure what time that actually is, either).

Battle Ground Produce is hosting their weekly free wine tasting from 4-7 pm. Check them out on Facebook.

Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground is releasing their homemade Gazpacho this weekend. Perfect timing for cold soup, I’d say. Their newly unveiled tapas menu includes olives, almonds, a trio of cheeses served with quince paste spread over bread (very traditional Spanish tapas), as well as a few classic meat selections. Wine available by the glass, as well,

East County

English Estate Winery’s Friday night dinner theme is kabobs. Music and food begin at 6 p.m. Head on back this weekend for their 7^th annual Art & Wine Fair (Sat 11 am-7 pm & Sun noon-6 pm), featuring over 30 arts & craft booths and nine different musical acts to choose from.

Puffin Café floats along the port in Washougal. They have a limited wine selection but their menu is varied, the ambience is hard to beat in the summertime and their live music tonight (Friday) from 5:30-8:30 pm features solo guitarist, Nate Botsford, who’s currently auditioning for American Idol. Come see him before he makes it big so you can say you knew him when.

Charlie’s Bistro in downtown Vancouver has an inviting patio

My Sirah and husband's Hobo special (whiskey and Sessions) at Charlie's Bistro — My Sirah and husband’s Hobo special (whiskey and Sessions) at Charlie’s Bistro

Charlie’s Bistro is a wonderful restaurant in downtown Vancouver that has a quality selection of wines as well as a full bar and amazing food.

Take advantage of the gorgeous day by meeting some friends at their outdoor courtyard area. Charlie’s Monday special is 50 percent off all bottles of wine $50 or under. Their happy hour menu is tempting, as well.

Last week I enjoyed their 2009 Eos Petit Sirah from Paso Robles. The appearance of deep plum with a nose of cherry and deep plum, this Sirah has medium acid, medium tannin – ergo medium bodied. It’s approachable and accommodating. Not too dry or too fruity.

Baked goat cheese appetizer at Charlie's Bistro — Baked goat cheese appetizer at Charlie’s Bistro

It paired well with the chosen appetizer of baked goat cheese (a mixture of olive tapenade, capers and tomatoes to spread on crostini). We also enjoyed their crudité platter of hummus and a light dressing accompanied by carrots, celery, tomatoes, cauliflower, red & yellow peppers but a white wine would’ve been a nicer option for these nibbles.

Our served (KC) told me that their Seven Falls 2010 Merlot from Wahluke Slope is very nice, as well. I need to remember that because I always order the Petit Sirah.

Happy hour runs from 3-6pm. Tuesday night is Martini night, happy hour all day on Wednesdays live music on Fridays and Saturday is flight night. There’s always something going on at Charlie’s and the wait staff is top-notch. I’ve never had poor service at Charlie’s. It’s a terrific, go-to establishment.

Okay, I have to pack. We leave early in the AM for two weeks in Spain and Portugal. Keep checking in here where I’ll share our travels.

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The Portland Jazz Scene mourns the passing of Dick Berk

Dick Berk passed away Saturday, Feb 8. He was 74 years old. Berk was an internationally recognized jazz drummer who those of us in the area were blessed to be able to enjoy in the cozy jazz clubs of Portland these past several years when he relocated to the City of Roses.

My husband and I happened upon this legend when we strolled into Clyde’s Prime Rib Restaurant & Bar one night. He was backing up Laura Cunard on vocals rounded out by the upright bass and sax. We thoroughly enjoyed the performance but had no idea of his history until it was revealed to us. Berk has played with everyone who’s anyone in the jazz world. He played with Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, and Cal Tjader, to name a few. He even played with Billie Holiday for a few years in the 50’s before she passed away.

Berk was also a movie star in his own right, playing in New York, New York starring Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli as well as a handful of other movies and being included in the sound tracks for several others.

We took some friends to a now-defunked jazz club and restaurant on Alberta Street about a year after hearing Dick for the first time. Again, he was accompanying Laura Cunard. Most recently he’d been playing with a jazz trio that included Laura Cunard on vocals at Coyote’s in Hillsboro. A tribute to Dick is set for Tues, Feb 18 at Coyote’s, in fact.

Dick Berk’s passing is a great loss to his loved ones and loyal following yet he is one (very fine) example of the rich jazz world we have available to us in the Portland/Vancouver area. On any given night there are fantastically talented solo artists, trios, and other ensembles from Tommy O’s and Charlie’s Bistro in downtown Vancouver to Ivories Jazz Lounge and Jimmy Mak’s in Portland and that’s just barely scratching the surface.

For a comprehensive jazz lounge listing (many of them all-ages until 9 pm or 9:30 pm), go to www.jsojazzscene.org. Even this calendar, while well-maintained, does not account for the plethora of opportunities that abound for fans of what has been dubbed America’s first music.