19 Best Wine Bars in Portland, Oregon
Being so close to wine country, it comes as no surprise that Portland has some fantastic wine bars. Like many Portlanders, I tend to stick close to my quadrant of the city, so I was impressed by how much quality and variety there is in the Portland wine scene once I started exploring. You can find the world-class Pinot noir that put Oregon wines on the map and so much more, whether you’re having a casual night out with friends or planning a special occasion. Here is everything you need to know to decide where your night will take you when you visit the best wine bars in Portland.
North Portland:
45th Parallel Wines
Seating: Indoor and outdoor sidewalk tables.
Drinks: Wine glass pours and bottles, including to-go bottles. Beer and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.
Snacks: There are some limited snack options of the cheese and cracker variety, or you can bring in outside food.
Great for: Meeting up with friends when you don’t know how many people are coming or what time they will get there.
Wine bar and bottle shop 45th Parallel in St. John’s feels like a local corner store in the best way. Drop in for a glass pour while you browse the generous selection of to-go bottles. There is beer, sake, vermouth, port, craft bitters, and of course, plenty of wine. Their wines include a little of everything but focus on bottles from the Pacific Northwest, especially smaller producers. The bar space is a favorite with locals and has a welcoming feel that makes it one of the best wine bars in Portland. Stop in either by yourself or with friends. On a nice day, make the 10-minute walk down to Cathedral Park after your visit.
Northwest Portland:
Arden Restaurant
Seating: Indoor and outdoor patio tables.
Drinks: Wine by the glass, half bottles, and bottles. Beer, liquor, and cocktails are also available.
Snacks: Full restaurant menu.
Great for: When you want to wear that outfit that looks great on you but has been sitting in the closet.
Although more of a restaurant than a bar, Arden has a fantastic wine list that makes it worth including among the best wine bars in Portland. Go ahead and put on your fanciest pants when you visit this upscale spot offering everything from grand cru Champagne to magnums of 2006 Ridge Zinfandel. If your pants don’t get quite that fancy (mine don’t, alas), don’t worry, there are options for the rest of us. Look for eclectic bottles like Mexican Garnacha, Willamette Valley Rosé of Blaufrankisch, and Greek Xinomavro. There are also great wine-by-the-glass options and I can vouch for the GSM blend, which was lovely with cappelletti and squash blossoms.
Bar Diane
Seating: Indoor and outdoor patio tables. Limited reservations are available, or walk-in.
Drinks: Wine by the glass and bottles. Beer, cider, cocktails, and sodas are also available.
Snacks: Foodie snacks and small plates with a few entrees.
Great for: Impressing guests from out of town.
Bar Diane has the kind of bright and posh interior that you would expect from Portland’s trendy Pearl District. Come for the wine and stay for the patio, both of which make it one of the best wine bars in Portland. Rather than a few token sidewalk tables, Bar Diane’s patio spaces are tucked away from the bustle of the street and feel like a private garden. A lot of care has gone into the wine list, which focuses mostly on European bottles, including excellent producers from less-represented regions like Hungary and Croatia. If you find a bottle you love there, you can take it home for $15 off the list price.
Bar Rione
Seating: Indoor and outdoor sidewalk tables. Walk-in only.
Drinks: Wine by the glass and bottles. Cider and beer are also available, as well as a full bar with craft cocktails.
Snacks: Italian small plates and entrees.
Great for: When you’re not sure if it’s a date, but you hope it is.
Ask around about the best wine bars in Portland and chances are Bar Rione’s name will come up. This vibrant Pearl District venue offers the classic and beloved combination of Italian food and Italian wine. Beyond the typical wine bar offerings of Marcona almonds and olives, Bar Rione serves burrata, lasagna, and eggplant parmesan to accompany its wines. Nor is it strictly a wine bar. Bar Rione makes both classic and specialty house cocktails that may have even dedicated wine lovers hesitating over their drink order.
Flor Wines
Seating: Indoor tables and living room-style furniture.
Drinks: Wine by the glass and bottles, including to-go bottles.
Great for: Turning shopping for wine into a fun afternoon.
Although primarily a bottle shop, Flor’s cozy and elegant interior makes it one of the best wine bars in Portland whether or not you are shopping for bottles. The glass pour list rotates every few days and offers an introduction to the enormous selection of wines from the shop. If you’re interested in trying new things, looking for a special occasion bottle, or want something unusual, Flor is a great stop. Best of all, there is no corkage fee on bottles, so go ahead and bring your friends, take your time, and enjoy yourself while you’re there.
The Old Portland Wine Bar
Seating: Indoor.
Drinks: Wine by the glass and bottles.
Snacks: Bread. Cheese.
Great for: Salving the pain of living.
The word that comes to mind when seeing the menu at the Old Portland Wine Bar is confidence. You don’t so much choose your wine as choose your color. There is the red, the white, the rosé - all classic French wines that rotate as little as possible. And, to give credit where it’s due, I’ve gotten better wine with this system than I generally do when left to my own devices with a 5-page bottle list. The bar’s interior is also a counterpoint to the typical wine bar scene. Owned by Portland native and Dandy Warhols frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor, the Old Portland Wine Bar is a tribute to Portland’s history done up with rock-and-roll flair. Just about everything in it has a story, from the light fixtures of the former downtown Hilton bar to the Satyricon theater marquee. The chair pictured here was a favorite of David Bowie. It is a haven for artists and dreamers, the world-weary and the nonconformists. Come as you are.
Northeast Portland:
Gilded Raccoon Wine Lounge
Seating: Indoor and outdoor sidewalk tables.
Drinks: Wine half-glasses, glasses, flights, and bottles. Whiskey, cocktails, beer, and generous non-alcoholic drink options are also available.
Snacks: Eclectic small plates like cured steelhead pinwheel as well as the more typical olive and almond-type snacks.
Great for: When you want a great glass of wine but don’t want to change out of what you’re wearing.
Gilded Raccoon just opened in May of 2022, but it has all the makings of a Portland staple. This wine bar and bottle shop is a new endeavor by the owners of Backyard Social, but don’t expect the same backyard BBQ feel. The vibe at Gilded Raccoon is a kind of tongue-in-cheek sophistication that brings together gold silverware and a stuffed raccoon mascot over the bar in a happy marriage summed up by their motto “Class. Sass. Trash.” Check it out when you’re in the mood for a French rosé or a Japanese whiskey while complaining to a friend about your roommate’s three ferrets.
Les Caves & Les Clos
Seating: Indoor at Les Caves and enclosed outdoor patio at Les Clos. Reservations recommended.
Drinks: Wine half-glasses, glasses, and bottles. No flights.
Snacks: Assortment of grilled cheese sandwich options.
Great for: When you need an underground lair to hatch new schemes with your closest associates.
It would be easy to walk right by the unmarked entrance of Les Caves & Les Clos without knowing it’s there. This single venue has two distinct spaces. Les Caves is a cozy 18-seat subterranean hideaway that was once the boiler room of the old Victoria Theater. Look for the highly-coveted couch seat in the cutaway of the concrete wall. Upstairs, Les Clos is an airy enclosed patio with a couch of its own, albeit one more suited for backyard lounging. Wherever you end up, the ambiance will be great, but it’s the great wine selection that makes Les Caves & Les Clos one of the best wine bars in Portland. Choose from the extensive offerings of their glass and bottle list, which focuses on natural wines. The staff here is knowledgeable and ready to step in with recommendations. If you have trouble deciding, try out the mystery pour and let the experts pick for you.
Noble Rot
Seating: Indoor and rooftop patio. Reservations recommended.
Drinks: Wine by the glass, flights, and bottles. Beer, spirits, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.
Snacks: Full restaurant menu.
Great for: Celebrations with a group.
Noble Rot is celebrating its 20th anniversary and it is easy to see why it’s had a long history as one of the first and best wine bars in Portland. Named for a fungus that adds a rich flavor to certain white wines, Noble Rot takes pride in having a phenomenal wine list and even offers wine flights with meals. The best seats in the house (and maybe in Portland) are on its rooftop patio, which looks onto the Portland skyline. Beyond the patio, Noble Rot puts the rest of its rooftop to good use by growing some of the produce used in its kitchen, which focuses on local and seasonal fare.
Pairings Portland Wine Shop
Seating: Indoor and outdoor sidewalk tables.
Drinks: Wine by the glass, bottles, and flights.
Snacks: Olives/nuts/cheese.
Happy hour: Weekdays 12-3. Check out the events calendar for other happenings.
Great for: Convincing a skeptical friend that wine doesn’t have to be snobby.
If you’ve ever felt intimated by wine terminology (no judgments, I sure have), then this wine bar and bottle shop is for you. Billed as Portland’s Weirdest Wine Bar, Pairings is designed to make wine fun and approachable. Play a wine-related board game while you sip. Check out the calendar of ever-changing events, like flights that pair wines with the personalities of Parks & Rec characters. Don’t be fooled by the unpretentious style, though. There are excellent wines here and the staff know their stuff. On most days you visit, owner Jeff will be there at the shop, providing his signature warm and off-beat hospitality, proving that the best wine bars in Portland don’t need to be stuffy.
Stem Wine Bar
Seating: Indoor and covered outdoor tables.
Drinks: Wine by the glass, bottles, and flights. Beer and non-alcoholic drinks are also available.
Snacks: There are some limited snack options of the cheese and nut variety from Stem itself. They do allow outside food and are surrounded by the excellent restaurants of Mississippi Ave. Pro-tip: if you order from the Thai restaurant next door, they will bring your food to Stem with dine-in style plates and silverware.
Happy hour and events: Happy hour Mon-Wed 5-7, Fri 3-5, and all day Tuesday. Events by days of the week like trivia Wed and live music Sat-Sun.
Great for: When it’s your turn to choose the happy hour spot.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of choices at Stem. There are wine flights of white, red, and rosé, but also flights of local wine, orange wine, bubbles, wine by female winemakers, and a curated mixed flight. Every bottle on their extensive list is available by the glass. There are bottomless mimosas on the weekend. Starting to feel option paralysis set in? I don’t blame you and neither will the staff who are ready with suggestions. As a backup, go for the dealer’s choice and your glass will get picked for you. A couple of my friends went that route when we visited and were not disappointed with the results.
Southwest Portland:
The Portland Wine Bar
Seating: Indoor bar seating.
Drinks: Wine by the glass, bottles, and flights. Beer, cider, and non-alcoholic drinks are also available. Discount on bottles to go.
Snacks: Light snacks like nuts and olives as well as charcuterie.
Great for: When you need to step away from the bustle of the city.
This sleek and minimalist urban tasting room features wines made from small-scale, single vineyards in Oregon and Washington, all produced at The Winery at Manzanita on the Oregon Coast. The Portland Wine Bar does a great job of showing the variety to be found in Pacific Northwest wines. There is Pinot noir from the Willamette Valley, but you can also find plenty more, like Mourvèdre from the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon and Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington’s Columbia Valley. If you’re in the mood for something completely different, there are wines made from Hawaiian guava and mango. I have to admit, they did not challenge my love of grape wine, but they are best-sellers so feel encouraged to try for yourself and disagree with me.
Oregon Wines on Broadway
Seating: Indoor.
Drinks: Wine by the glass and bottles. Pinot noir and Champagne flights on Friday and Saturday.
Snacks: Appetizers like bread, prosciutto, and pork pistachio pate.
Great for: When you want to try a flight from Oregon wine country without the drive.
Think neighborhood bar vibes when you visit this laidback downtown bottle shop and wine bar. Oregon Wines on Broadway focuses on wines of the Pacific Northwest with a handpicked selection of bottles from Oregon and Washington producers, as well as a more recent foray into wines from Europe. Bottles include both tried-and-true customer favorites and regular additions of new finds. The tastings offered at Oregon Wines on Broadway are what make it one of the best wine bars in Portland. They rotate often to encourage sampling local wines without needing to leave the city.
Southeast Portland:
Bar Norman
Seating: Indoor and outdoor patio tables. Walk-in only.
Drinks: Wine by the glass or bottle, including to-go bottles. Beer and non-alcoholic options are available.
Snacks: Variety of appetizers, boards, and small plates.
Great for: Catching up with friends, or on your tortured poetry.
This classy and casual Southeast Portland staple will have you feeling like you’ve stepped into a Parisian café. Sit inside the romantic candle-lit interior on a cold rainy night or enjoy the covered patio amid the maple trees on a summer afternoon. The wines at Bar Norman are carefully chosen with a focus on natural wines and sustainable production. I ordered my glass based on a rave review of a fellow patron and enjoyed the lively, fruit-forward Cutter Cascadia “#1 Grandpa,” which makes for perfect patio sipping.
Corkscrew Wine Bar
Seating: Indoor and outdoor patio tables. Walk-in only.
Drinks: Wine by the glass or bottle, including to-go bottles. Beer, cider, and non-alcoholic options are also available.
Snacks: Nuts/olives/bread, boards, and small plates.
Great for: Your next date night.
Located in the heart of Sellwood, Corkscrew Wine Bar is the type of neighborhood spot that is worth the trek even if you don’t live in the neighborhood. With its cozy wood interior and refurbished sewing machine tables, this wine bar and bottle shop has a casually romantic atmosphere that is perfect for a night out. There are also frequent live music sets, a rare find in the Portland wine bar scene. Beyond date night, Corkscrew’s patio is a great place to meet friends for a glass of wine, possibly after a nature walk at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.
Enoteca Nostrana
Seating: Indoor, walk-in for the bar. Indoor and outdoor patio with reservations recommended at the restaurant, Nostrana.
Drinks: Wine by the glass and bottles. There is also a whiskey menu, specialty cocktails, beer, sodas, and an espresso machine.
Snacks: Full restaurant menu.
Great for: Celebrating your promotion at work.
Enoteca Nostrana is a stylish bar space that offers the same great menu as its sister restaurant next door, Nostrana, but with a less formal feel. The wine list reads like a tour of Italy, including some hard-to-find bottles and a focus on natural wines. There’s also a good selection of local wines if you’re feeling more like Ribbon Ridge than Etna. The food menu is just as tempting, with choices ranging from antipasti like arancini and calamari to gourmet pizzas and pasta. Pull up a bar stool shaped like a wine cork for your next night out.
ENSO Winery
Seating: Indoor and outdoor sidewalk tables. Reservations are available, but not required.
Drinks: Wine by the glass, flights, and bottles, including to-go bottles. Beer is also available. Discount on bottles to go.
Snacks: Nuts/olives/cheese as well as charcuterie boards and savory pies from the Pacific Pie Company.
Great for: Making the most of a rainy afternoon.
ENSO Winery is a locally-owned urban winery that focuses on small-scale production using grapes sourced from Washington, Oregon, and California. Their tasting room, housed in a chic converted garage, also happens to be one of the best wine bars in Portland, serving the wines they make on-site as well as those of other winemakers, both local and international. Whether seated at the bar or on the living room-style furniture, you’ll quickly feel at home at this warm and welcoming neighborhood spot.
Nil. Wine Bar
Seating: Indoor and outdoor sidewalk tables.
Drinks: Glass pours and bottles.
Snacks: No food is served, but outside food is allowed and there is a food cart pod next door.
Great for: When you’re looking for the casualness of a food cart pod, but still want a great glass of wine with your burrito.
While many of the best wine bars in Portland give a nod to natural wines, Nil. Wine Bar has gone all in. You will only find natural wines made from organically and/or biodynamically grown grapes in their bright and minimalist Belmont wine bar. Their philosophy is that wine is best when it is kept to the basics: grapes and fermentation without additives. If you love natural wine or are curious to learn more about it, this bar is for you. The glass list rotates daily with a sense of spontaneity. You can also choose the mystery pour for something off the menu and leave your wine in the hands of fate.
Vino Veritas Wine Bar and Bottle Shop
Seating: Indoor and outdoor patio tables.
Drinks: Wine by the glass, flights, and bottles, including to-go bottles. Beer and cider are also available.
Snacks: Nuts, olives, chocolates, and boards.
Great for: When you and your friends have a ton to catch up on.
This Montavilla gem is a bottle shop as well as one of the best wine bars in Portland. Their bottles are an eclectic mix from around the world that has been refined over the past five years that the shop has been open. The staff is passionate about wine and can help you choose a bottle for tonight’s dinner or a flight of wines to enjoy on the navy blue velvet couch. Look for classes and events to help expand your knowledge of wine and try some great new things.
In summary, the best wine bars in Portland are:
45th Parallel Wines
Arden
Bar Diane
Bar Rione
Flor Wines
Old Portland Wine Bar
Gilded Raccoon
Les Caves & Les Clos
Noble Rot
Pairings Portland Wine Shop
Stem Wine Bar
The Portland Wine Bar
Oregon Wines on Broadway
Bar Norman
Corkscrew Wine Bar
Enoteca Nostrana
ENSO Winery
Nil. Wine Bar
Vino Veritas
Cheers and wishing you a great night out!
With love,
Emma
Looking for more about Oregon wine? Check out this guide to winetasting at the vineyard.
Or, explore the best wine bars in Bend, OR.
