When Portlanders think about nearby wine tasting, usually two locales come to mind: the Willamette Valley, with its myriad storied estates pouring pinot noir and chardonnay, and the Columbia River Gorge, with its buzzy, younger wineries like Loop de Loop and Hiyu. Even Portland urban wineries, like Division, Bow & Arrow, and Teutonic, may enter the conversation. But one of most underrated spots to drink wine near Portland is just across the river, in Washington’s Clark County.
In April 2019, Maryhill Winery opened a massive tasting room on the Vancouver Waterfront. Seven more Washington wineries added tasting rooms shortly afterward in the same area, drawing wine lovers from all over the region and turning this new development on the Columbia River into a wine destination. But many visitors don’t know that just a short walk from the Waterfront, Burnt Bridge Cellars has been making beautiful wines onsite, serving them in their airy tasting room since 2010. Just a bit farther in downtown, Niche Wine Bar has served a sophisticated selection of wine and wine-friendly bites in a cozy, intimate setting for more than 10 years. And just outside of Vancouver, Clark County offers many spots to sip wine, ranging from Spanish tapas and wine bar Emanar Cellars in Battle Ground to Moulton Falls Winery & Cider House, with its wood-fired pizza and views of the Cascade foothills. Many of these venues are adding back live music and other events this summer.
This map specifically focuses on the wine bars, tasting rooms, and wineries worth visiting throughout Clark County, based on quality of wine and ambiance — bonus points went to spots with good food. Here, you’ll find picturesque rural estates and cozy urban wine bars, all pouring exceptional examples of Pacific Northwestern wine. For a complete listing of Southwestern Washington wineries, visit the website for Southwest Washington Winery association.
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