Portland's robust wine scene often goes under the radar, outshined by the city's craft brew scene. Don't let that happen to you. Portland is no stranger to great wine and these 10 wine bars prove it!
LessThe warm service alone is enough to earn Division Wines the coveted title of best wine bar in Portland, but it's their robust knowledge of wine that makes this place swell with locals. Started by Will Prouty and his wife Danyelle, the focus is on offering expressive wines, especially from European regions, alongside a thoughtful selection of locally-sourced small bites. Opt for the wine flight (dealer's choice!) and let the skilled connoisseurs impress you with their knowledge.
Following the lead of many great names before them (Apple, Google and Disney, to name a few), Enso Winery opened its (garage) doors to the public Memorial Day 2011. Focusing on quality over quantity, the folks behind Enso Winery hand craft old-world style wines using grapes sourced from Vineyards in Washington, California and Oregon. They produce around 1,000 cases of small-batch wine per year (all within city limits!) and the passion shows. You can try them for yourself at this charming winery.
Located on lively Mississippi Avenue, Stem Wine Bar provides something every Portlander loves: great wine, cozy vibes and a generous bring-your-own food policy. The focus at this Portland wine bar is to share wines from independent winemakers in Oregon. Stem Wine Bar has a great weekly rotation of fun events. From live music and painting classes to complimentary tastings, check out the lineup on their website for more info.
A great deal of natural wine drinking takes place at Les Caves. The draw is an adventurous dimly lit subterranean setting that few can resist falling in love with. Expect to find blends from all over the world, but I'd be doing you a disservice by leaving out a morsel of truth (alright, alright it's an opinion): the best wines are the bottles that come from the owners' personal brands: Golden Cluster and Ovum Wines. Reservations recommended.
Bar Diane is home to one of the most impressive natural wine selections in the City of Roses. Served in a bright and colorful interior, it's no surprise that locals consider this one of the best wine bars in Portland. The star of the show (apart from the great selection of rosé) is the zen covered patio, which makes a perfect setting for a romantic first date (string lights, and all). Wine is served by the bottle and glass, regardless of your order, plan to linger a while.
Located in the trendy South Waterfront neighborhood, the constantly-changing menu will keep you on your toes. Swing by for the lively patio, extensive wine list and warm service. This Portland wine bar is especially cozy on a rainy day when the massive floor-to-ceiling windows provide a sense of protection from the elements. Sip your glass while the sound of rain outside adds a soothing backdrop to a cozy evening inside one of the best wine bars in Portland.
Inspired by the relaxing wine bars in Europe, Dana Frank (owner of Bar Norman) decided to bring the ostentation of typical American wine bars down a notch while keeping the focus on the quality of wine. Opened in 2018, this is one of the newest wine bars in Portland but it has successfully set itself apart from the competition thanks to the cozy bar-like vibes. Expect noise and life and laughter -- and a rotating selection of up to 35 natural wines sold by the glass or bottle.
This charming Portland wine bar couldn't be smaller or cozier if it tried. Seating less than 10 folks inside and up to 10 folks outside, you'll need to be okay rubbing shoulders with strangers-turned-acquaintances by the second glass. The candle-lit locale gives this Portland wine bar a mellow vibe, which pairs perfectly with the curated wine list. Don't expect to thumb through chapters of options, they keep things simple here, which is part of the draw.
Perhaps moreso than any other wine bar in Portland, Fullerton Wines strives to make wine drinking a more approachable and casual affair. Located a mere three blocks from bustling NW 23rd Avenue, this place is a hidden gem few tourists stumble across. The winery hails from Willamette Valley and the refined wines are truly top-notch. Offered by the bottle or glass, the wines are made by expert winemaker Alex Fullerton who got his start in the industry fresh out of college and hasn't slowed since.
Offering traditional bar snacks and delectable charcuterie boards from local purveyors, this is the perfect Portland wine bar for pre-dinner drinks, a cozy first date or a relaxing midday break. But take note, this is one of the smaller wine bars in Portland, so reservations are suggested.