Clark County has developed its own atmosphere for wine tasting. It’s a deliberately quaint and laid back atmosphere in the ‘Couv. Upon review of the interviews thus far, Tommy O’s, Salut, Discount Tobacco and Wine, and Rusty Grape Vineyards, clearly the presentation of the wine atmosphere in Clark County is consistent. ‘Couv residents can walk into a wine tasting, a lounge, or a store knowing either a little or a lot about the wine, wearing either jeans and a t-shirt or slacks, tennis shoes or black high heeled boots and their dressed up or dressed down attitude fits in either way.
Jeremy, one of the owners of Rusty Grape Vineyards in Battle Ground, stresses the rustic Tuscan atmosphere they have developed at their winery. Rusty Grape Vineyards is open to barrel tasting and a wine tour anytime, without appointment or ceremony. “We’re not one of those places that want you to taste the wines and leave,” he states, “we encourage you to open the bottle, sit, relax and drink it here, take your time.” Besides wine and good times, Rusty Grape Vineyards offers free WiFi, “We get people in here with their laptops enjoying a bottle of wine sometimes even for a couple hours.” Sounds like Starbucks has some competition! Let’s see, wine or coffee?
Rich Franklin of Discount Tobacco and Wine states that they make their wine tasting events casual by design, presenting an event less intimidating to new wine drinkers. They also provide an educational setting, sharing information about wineries as well as information about different wine regions that interests both the novice and experienced wine drinkers.
David Gray of Salut!, voiced that same opinion in his interview. Vancouverites are here to enjoy the wine. Our atmosphere is different than that of Portland; we’re not here for the show, we’re here to enjoy the wine.
Tommy O’s is an example of a locally owned restaurant that offers a casually elegant atmosphere where the clientele can enjoy a selection of great wines at reasonable prices.
Vancouver has come into it’s own. Clark County residents need not cross the bridge into Portland or drive miles to Yakima Valley, Willamette Valley, or the Gorge to find a friendly place to get advise on which wines to buy, a quality and educational wine tasting event, or a quietly refined bistro to enjoy a bottle of Zinfandel. With wine tasting events offered weekly at numerous wineries and shops in Clark County we can enjoy being wine connoisseurs in our own backyard.