For many who visit, Edmonds has been a place you wind up: At the Classic Car Show, the 4th of July Parade, the Arts Festival, the ferry, the beach, a relative’s house for a dinner party. In recent years, though, it’s also become a place to wind—or, for the purposes of the thematic pun in this piece, *wine*—down.
Much like the Edmonds food scene at large, the fermented grapes landscape in Edmonds is enjoying a welcome boom. From bottle shops to wine walks, pretty much every variety of vino is available for a sniff, swirl, and sip.
(Spits optional, and certainly not preferred.)
A Full-Bodied Wine Scene Edmonds
Dubbed An Edmonds Kind of Wine Shop, Arista Wine Cellars has offered generous pours and extensive knowledge since 1997. Whether you happen upon their free tastings on Saturday, come in looking for a crystal decanter, or are interested in joining a new wine club, this welcoming shop downtown is the place to whet your wine whistle. Plus, the sandwich board right outside their front door always boasts a wine quote or witticism that is sure to make any day brighter, which is especially welcome in the Pacific Northwest.
Looking for lunch with a suggested pairing? Grab a table at nearby Vinbero, which boasts an ever-evolving—and tightly curated—list of sips. As far as we’re concerned, most glasses complement their popcorn, so don’t hesitate to ask for a bowl. Vinbero focuses on small, craft vendors with an eye for sustainability and their kind team will nudge you in the perfect direction for you and your taste buds that day. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself salivating between visits. This is a place they—and you—will remember.
What’s unique about Vie & Vin, a newcomer right by the ferry landing, is, well, several things:
They arrange their wines by body—light to full—based on how each wine looks, feels, and tastes (e.g. mouthfeel) rather than by region or varietal, which makes the picking process super-approachable
They donate a portion of their sales every quarter to a different charity
They make it easy to sip and shop simultaneously. Grab a glass and build a gift basket for your sister, cousin, best friend, or mother-in-law. If that isn’t the definition of getting the creative juices flowing, we don’t know what is!
If you’re looking for a local tasting room for a tried-and-true Washington Winery, make yourself at home on the patio at the Dusted Valley Tasting Room. A dog-friendly sipping spot, this cozy wine bar two blocks from the ferry offers wine, beer, and small bites. In warmer weather, you’ll often see bikes pulled over for a glass before getting back on their way to wherever they’re headed. All modes of transportation do a good job of depositing people here, including our annual Holiday Trolley.
And, if you’re reading this around July 2023 or after, you might have already ponied up to the bar at the new Virtue Cellars tasting room at Main Street Commons. Come for the wines. Stay for the entertainment, community, and ice cream right next door.
Pours at Outdoor Events
When the sun comes out in Edmonds, so too do the opportunities to hydrate on the go. Enter: Edmonds Summer Wine Walks. Circle July 1 and August 5 on your calendar and hit the town with wine in hand. While you sip, shop, and wander, you’ll be supporting the arts in Edmonds. Refresh their official website for the full list of participating shops and the wines they’re pouring. And, note: This is a 21+ event, so arrange childcare accordingly. Date night!
If you’re interested in more summer sips, visit Jeff Uncorked, a staple at the Edmonds Museum Summer Market each Saturday through early October. He’s known fondly as The Edmonds Wine Guy. You’ll also find him pouring at many events and festivals around town throughout the year—look for his eponymous barrel pouring table and make sure to say hey.
A Fermentation-Forward Dining Destination
While we have lots of great kimchi thanks to the International District, the fermentation we’re referring to here involves grapes. Many local restaurants offer robust wine lists (Bucatini, Charcoal, Epulo Bistro, Girardi's Osteria, The Loft, Niles Peacock Kitchen & Bar), and quite a few host occasional wine dinners with local wineries, creating perfectly-paired chef’s menus at prix fixe prices (Bar Dojo, Salt & Iron, and Fire & The Feast are just a few). Diners enjoy the foods that bring out the notes of their sips while getting to know the makers.
So, what are you waiting for? There’s no time to waste exploring the Edmonds wine scene. Show us where your adventures take you by tagging us in your social media posts! We’re @visitedmonds on Instagram and Facebook.
Photos by Matt Hulbert
Virtue Cellars photo provided by Virtue Cellars
