While the current two-week freeze is putting mingling on pause for the moment, several places in Bend have opened—or soon will—for lovers of wine and whiskey.
New Wine Shop for downtown Bend
FERM & Fare boutique wine shop has arrived in downtown Bend. The cozy shop, complimented by a rustic brick facade and modern industrial interior, is the new hidden gem of Brooks Promenade, the "alley" facing Mirror Pond. FERM & Fare boasts a selective array of responsibly farmed wines with opportunities for tastings and bottle purchases. Spicing up the weekdays, the shop is now offering Wine Class Wednesdays and Blind Flight Thursdays. Events are accessible by registration for limited participants to follow safety precautions. For a more intimate experience, private rentals can be booked for groups of up to ten people.
Willamette Valley vineyard to open Bend location
This fall has been a bleak one, but hope is returning for wine lovers who live in Central Oregon. Domaine Serene Wine Lounge announced it will open a location in Bend come fall of 2021. Domaine Serene, the world's most awarded winery, according to its owners, and winner of the 2020 Decanter World Wine awards, is opening up shop in the historic D.H. Spheir building on the corner of Bond St. and Minnesota Ave. The lounge will offer a food, beer and cocktail menu to accompany its extensive wine list. The relaxed, rustic setting of the lounge will complement the downtown Bend scene. The three-story space provides fireplace seating in the colder months and outdoor seating come summer."The Lounge will bring a comfortable, convivial and wine-centric experience to Bend, providing a new avenue for locals to taste our rare and collectible wines typically only available at our Clubhouse in the Dundee Hills," said Ryan Harris, president of Domaine Serene.
Whiskey Club at McMenamins
For whiskey lovers of Central Oregon, McMenamins has announced its Whiskey Club as an addition to its extensive list of beer, wine and other offerings. Members will enjoy a broad array of boozy perks with access to exclusive McMenamins bottle releases and the "Whiskey in the Shed" members-only menu. Also, a welcome kit and discounts on merchandise will be provided upon registration. In the holiday spirit, memberships are being offered at the 25% discount price of $75 a year when code INTRO is used at the checkout. Register at shopmcmenamins.com/whiskey-club/