I've been thinking (off and on for a whole three minutes now) about how our favorites offer insights into who we are. So what might "Vino" being my favorite wine shop say about me?
Community rocks.
You don't need to read too many of my reviews to know I love Sellwood. It's laid back and all the shop owners (especially around SE Lexington & SE 13th) know each other (not just each other's names, but really know and care about each other). And even better if you take the time to get to know them, they make the time to get to know you. Kyle at Musical PDX. Kevin and James at Garden State. Debbie at Tilde. Bruce and Chopper at Vino. It's like Cheers (the neighborhood version). I love that Vino is more than a shop, it's a gathering place. Everyone in this hood knows it's the place to be on a Friday night. $10 themed wine flights with generous pours. But not done in a stand around a bar and sip fashion, here there's tables, chairs, multiple glasses, and an invitation to bring your food. Saturday's are also great days to stop in here since there's always free tastings of wine to sip as you shop.
Foodies rock.
It's fun popping in and chatting with Bruce about life, food, wine, dogs, music, whatever. His blog (http://wineguyworld.blogspot.com/) has got some great PDX food finds and makeable recipes, I owe him big time for suggesting Alba Osteria (http://www.yelp.com/biz/alba-osteria-portland#hrid:516bXrtKMToVMEm--9uS0Q) perhaps my favorite Italian restaurant outside of Italy. Additionally Bruce's weekly email detailing the Friday/Saturday tasting menus and special wine deals is a great informative read.
Value rocks.
I love discovering things that are under priced, under valued, or both. Bruce is a master at stocking such finds . He cuts through any pretentious elitist ridiculousness and sells stuff that's simply affordable and good. I've yet to walk out with anything that didn't end up being both great tasting and a great value. Copain Syrah L'hiver. Pillar Box Red. Chateau De Brague Bordeaux Superior. Mas Des Chimeres Coteaux du Languedoc. Bibi Graetz "Casamatta" Sangiovese. Sineann Red Table Wine. Grochau Cellars "Toute Suite". Of course true value can be found here in the generous discount offered to those purchasing 6-11 bottles and gets even better for those buying 12 or more (one day I'm going to wise up and take advantage of this).
Uniqueness rocks.
Love small places with lots of personality. Vino's got kind of a southern European countryside eclectic vibe to it. It's just off the main street, chill, and got that color on the wall plus red brick warmth to it. It's a space where comfortable lingering is not only possible, but encouraged.
Dog lovers rock.
Not only did we feel welcome here, so did Maddie. Love that aspect of Sellwood (and the northwest in general). I've obviously still haven't got over the coolness of being able to take our dogther pretty much anywhere we go.
Vino rocks.
While I still miss the Thursday night tasting crowd from my favorite shop back home...Vino's definitely filled in nicely whenever need arises to restock my wine cabinet. Just like searching for a wine that's a great fit, PDX has many options to sample. For me, Vino's got everything I'd want in a wine shop-except a cold dark cellar accessible only through a trap door in the floor (silly, I know) and a location within walking distance of my house (hopefully we'll one day rectify this by moving to Sellwood, who knows?). Anyway, give it a try, you might even discover a new favorite.
Great Values. Great Tastings. Great Shop. Great Owner. Great Neighborhood.
Great Pictures? (anyone got a D300 or a 5D they feel like donating?) http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/dyNSkiOsRfRVfDc23peNMQ?select=yBHL4Baw3kfbHlOYrEVbCA read more