Sexy Santa’s throne at Shorty’s Garden & Home. You’ll have to attend next year to spy him for yourself.
What could be a better marketing strategy than inviting a bunch of ladies to partake in a bit of pre-Thanksgiving holiday shopping on a week night than having Sexy Santa strutting around as eye candy? Four wineries, a distillery AND Sexy Santa.
Shorty’s Garden & Home takes on a magical feeling after hours
That took place at the Mill Plain Shorty’s Garden & Home last week from 6-9 pm and, judging from the turn out, it was a hit. Truth be told, the phenomenal job that manager Jeff Olsen and his entire staff did creating the most festive atmosphere was the secret recipe.
Local artisans dotted the surround of the main event space at Shorty’s Ladies Night last Friday
From the moment I slid open the barn-style door, I was at once transported into a magical wonderland with flocked trees that reminded me of Christmases past (my mom always decorated a flocked one for the living room and an evergreen for the family room), poinsettias, twinkling lights, live holiday music and the right touch of local artisans dotting the surround of the main event space.
The ever-charming Nicholas Vissotzky made Double V Distillery’s booth a popular stop on Ladies Night at Shorty’s Garden & Home
Included in each ticket was a glass of wine or a cocktail, a well-presented appetizer plate, the flaky traditional pastry, Danish kringle, and hot coffee. Jeff emceed the evening shouting out winners of raffle drawings over the laughter and high-pitched exclamations ladies tend to utter upon finding just the right upcycled sweater dress or being poured their second cocktail from Double V Distillery courtesy of the ever-charming Nicholas Vissotzky.
Local wineries contributed to the festive atmosphere by showcasing their award-winning vintages.
Local wineries English Estate, Heisen House, Gougér Cellars and Koi Pond were busily pouring tastings and, one of the things I just love about our Clark County wineries, four winemakers were manning the booths eager to share their passion, answer questions and help dispel the myth that wine is pretentious and mysterious.
I incorrectly noted that Ladies Night occurs annually, confusing it with previous Open House events around Thanksgiving, but it certainly could become one. Talking with Jeff and another employee, Olivia, the success of Shorty’s first Ladies Night this past August was a catalyst to scheduling a second one.
Wes & Michelle Parker, husband and wife wine-making duo at Koi Pond Cellars, gained considerable wine knowledge from time spent in California and the Willamette Valley.
As I left the comforting blanket of Shorty’s winter wonderland that effectively flooded my mind with warm childhood memories I found myself wishing I could take it all with me. Jeff and his crew may have been aiming for a jump on seasonal sales but what they also did was impart a bit of Christmas spirit in the hearts of every person who attended and that is a very fair exchange.
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.
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 18thDrink This! Vancouver featuring Double V Distillery.
East Fork Cellars should’ve reopened Fri, Oct 3rd 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
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
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.
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 – 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
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-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’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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Savor, Sip and Sojourn 