Spokane, the biggest city in Washington State between the Cascade and Rocky Mountains, is a must stop for wine lovers looking for the perfect blend of nature and urban energy.
Spokane, WA. It’s not exactly in the heart of Washington Wine Country. It is, however, a city where you will find a burgeoning wine scene led by the 16 members of the Spokane Winery Association.
Driving east on I-90 into the city, you’ll see downtown unfold as you crest a hill and descend into the valley.
When you visit greater Spokane, you have a chance to immerse yourself in innovative winemaking. A trip to Spokane means a chance to sample from some of the best wines in the state of Washington. The winemakers rely on the area’s natural environment and urban quirks to create bold reds and delicate whites.
The courtyard at Barrister Winery is where thousands of wine enthusiasts have enjoyed the fruits of the winery’s labors over the years.
Barrister Winery uses the rumbling of passing trains to gently vibrate the wines in its barrels to produce the perfect red. Ask for a tour of the barrel room in the basement of the old Ford Model T dealership when you’re there and you’ll understand the process and fall in love with the story that comes with the wine.
Once you arrive, you have two options: drive from winery to winery throughout Spokane County or stay right in the heart of downtown and sample from the tasting rooms that are located in the downtown core. It’s quite a wonderful quandary to find yourself in.
DOWNTOWN SPOKANE
Schedule a wine weekend in Spokane and wander out of your downtown hotel and choose from 14 different wineries to sample. Start at Maryhill Winery’s tasting room in the Kendall Yards neighborhood. The breathtaking views of Spokane and the Spokane River may make you forget what you’re there for: sipping award-winning wines.
When you’re done, go across the street and walk south. All of a sudden, you’ll see a veritable vista of tasting rooms unfurling around you: OutWest Wines & Ciders, which used to be known as Cougar Crest Winery, Helix Wines, Barili Cellars, Tempus Cellars, Terra Blanca Winery, Overbluff Cellars and Robert Karl Cellars.
And lest we forget, Barrister Winery boasts two separate tasting rooms on different sides of downtown Spokane at 1213 W. Railroad Ave. and at 203 N. Washington.
MOUNT SPOKANE
A short drive to the northeast of downtown you’ll find Townshend Cellar. The tasting room features stunning pastoral views with rolling hills and in the distance, Mt. Spokane. You’ll love the wide-open visual spaces as the layered flavors in the wine stun you.
SOUTH HILL
Head south 15 minutes and you’ll come to Winescape Winery, an establishment that makes some of the best Cabernet and Merlot in the region
Within the Spokane Valley, you’ll find Latah Creek Wine Cellars, one of the oldest working wineries in the state of Washington nearby. Just east on I-90 is Liberty Lake Wine Cellars. Sitting like a sentinel atop a basalt cliff above Spokane Valley you’ll find Arbor Crest Wine Cellars.
Prepare to spend a couple hours there, wandering the stunning grounds with a history as quirky as Royal Riblet, the inventor who built the estate in the early 1920s.
Mural on the back wall of the patio at Latah Creek Wine Cellars frames two friends enjoying a bottle of Latah Creek Mike’s Reserve Red Blend.
Following is a complete list of the 16 members of the Spokane Winery Association. You will note that Barrister Winery is listed twice. That’s because Barrister has two tasting rooms in downtown Spokane, one on Railroad Ave. and one on North Washington Street.
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, 4705 N Fruit Hill Rd, Spokane, WA 99217. (509) 927-9463. www.arborcrest.com
Barili Cellars, 608 W 2nd Ave, Spokane, WA 99201.
(509) 953-3795. www.barilicellars.com
Barrister Winery, 1213 W Railroad Ave, Spokane, WA 99201.
(509) 465-3591. www.barristerwinery.com
Barrister Winery, 203 N. Washington St, Spokane, WA 99201.
(509) 413-1090. www.barristerwinery.com.
Cougar Crest Estate Winery, 8 N Post St Ste 6, Spokane, WA 99201.
(509) 241-3850. www.cougarcrestwinery.com
Helix Wines, 824 W. Sprague Ave., Spokane, WA. 99201. (509) 242-3190. www.helixwine.com
Latah Creek Wine Cellars, 13030 E. Indiana Ave, Spokane, WA 99216.
(509) 926-0164. www.latahcreek.com
Liberty Lake Wine Cellars, 23110 E Knox Ave., Liberty Lake, WA 99019. (509) 255-9205. www.libertylakewinecellars.com
Maryhill Winery, 1303 W. Summit Parkway, Suite 100, Spokane, WA 99201. (509) 443-3832. www.maryhillwinery.com
OutWest Wines & Ciders/Craftsman Cellars, 1194 W Summit Pkwy, Spokane, WA 99201.
(509) 413-2434. www.craftsmanwinery.com
Overbluff Cellars, 304 W Pacific Ave, Spokane, WA 99201.
(509) 991-4781. www.facebook.com/overbluff-cellars
Robert Karl Cellars, 115 W Pacific Ave, Spokane, WA 99201.
(509) 363-1353. www.robertkarl.com
Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyard, 926 W. Spokane Ave., Suite 100, Spokane, WA. 99201. (509) 340-9140. www.terrablanca.com.
Thomas Clare Cellars, 3915 E. Francis. Ste A1, Spokane, WA 99217.
(509) 981-2795. www.thomasclarecellars.com.
Townshend Cellar, 1222 N. Regal St. Spokane, WA 99202.
(509) 238-1400. www.townshendcellar.com
Winescape Winery, 6011 E 32nd Ave, Spokane, WA 99223.
(509) 474-0150. www.winescapewines.com
If you would like more information about the Spokane Winery Association, they have a very informative website – www.spokanewineries.com– that breaks down what to look for at each member winery, i.e., whether the winery offers food in addition to wine, whether it has patio seating as well as indoor seating, whether it is kid friendly, whether it has live entertainment, etc.
The Culinary Scene
Spokane is a beautiful city and a perfect weekend destination. If you love bold, exciting new flavors and mouth-watering culinary concoctions, Spokane’s dining and nightlife scene is something to savor. Imagine biting into warm, freshly baked bread, a juicy, perfectly aged steak or local, straight-from-the-farm vegetables. Plus, fresh, seasonal menus offering local organic products prepared with Northwest flair can be found in all kinds of locales like intimate cafés and five-star restaurants. And pairing your meal with award-winning wines and local brews is always delicious.
Lodging
From the sleek style of trendy boutique hotels to the old-world charm of historic , you’ll find an array of accommodations in the Spokane area to meet every budget, occasion, and taste. In fact, Spokane prides itself on offering places to stay that have as much personality as the city itself.
For Urbanites
In Spokane’s downtown, you’ll find an abundance of fine hotels in prime locations that allow for easy access to popular places for work and play. Downtown hotels are close to the Spokane Convention Center, which hosts big conventions and meetings throughout the year.
Locals and visitors like the greenspace and natural beauty of Riverfront Park. For lovers of art and music, the Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, Knitting Factory Concert House, and Bing Crosby Theater are just steps away from immersion in Spokane’s vibrant music and arts scene. For students and parents, downtown hotels are close to Gonzaga University and a perfect home base for campus visits.
For History Buffs
Travel back in time and revel in the grandeur of a historic hotel, such as the Historic Davenport or Montvale Hotel. Lovingly restored to their original splendor, thoughtful touches and superior craftsmanship are evident in every detail. But make no mistake, modern comforts haven’t been overlooked.
For more information about restaurants, hotels and things to see and do in Spokane, go to www.visitspokane.com.
ALASKA AIR WINE PASS
Flying into Spokane on Alaska Airlines? Your ticket is a free pass to wine tasting.
How it works:
If your ticket has Spokane as your final stop, and you use it within 48 hours of arrival, our tasting rooms will waive your tasting fee.
Boarding passes can be presented in any of the three formats:
- The boarding pass that comes from the kiosk
- A boarding pass printed from home
- The electronic boarding pass found on a smartphone
