With an eye to the expanding population in South Puget Sound, wineries from around the state are opening tasting rooms in a new urban mecca — Tacoma. With more people moving to this growing city with still affordable (and cute!) neighborhoods, the appetite and audience for quality wine experiences has increased.
If you are a South Ender who loves wine and doesn’t want to make the hour-plus journey to Woodinville or Seattle, or if you are looking for a new destination for a wine-filled day trip, Tacoma should be top of mind.
Structure Cellars | 632 St. Helens Avenue, Tacoma
Perched above Pacific Avenue, Structure Cellars’ Tacoma tasting room has tall windows opening to an expansive view of Commencement Bay. You’ll likely be welcomed first by Rhône, the tasting room’s darling pup who watches for patrons from his favorite spot on the sofa. Manager Nathan Gendron will be close behind with a warm smile and cheery greeting.
Opened in 2023, the tasting room has a casual, cool vibe with hip-hop music and low-slung leather chairs. It’s a natural extension of their Seattle space, with a few twists. Folks in this neighborhood are out later in the evening, so to accommodate patrons meeting up with friends or with dinner plans at nearby restaurants, the tasting room remains open until 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Structure, owned by Brandee Slosar and Brian Grasso, is focused on being fun and approachable. They want newer wine drinkers to feel comfortable and experienced tasters to be intrigued. “I can also geek out, if you want me to,” Gendron says with a laugh.
The winery is known for their high-quality reds, but be sure to pay attention to their nicely balanced whites and the 2021 Roussanne, in particular.
Water from Wine | 1704 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma
Across from Tacoma Art Museum and down the street from the University of Washington Tacoma campus is Water from Wine, a nonprofit winery with locations in Tacoma and Leavenworth. Their mission is to fund clean water projects around the world. Through partnerships with local winemakers and vineyard sponsorships — as well as wine sales — Water from Wine has granted more than $1.5 million to community organizations across the globe.
Charlie Hoppes of Fidélitas Winery volunteers his time as winemaker for their Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon, while Andrew Martinez of Martinez & Martinez creates the Water from Wine Rosé. 100% of proceeds from these two bottles is donated to organizations working to provide clean water in underserved communities.
Dahlman Cellars | 113 N. Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma
Located in the historic Stadium District, Dahlman Cellars offers a cozy tasting room amid a block of auto and art supply shops, a variety of eateries, and a spa.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, winemaker Jim Dahlman, who owns the winery with wife Andrea Dahlman, was buzzing around the full tasting room, pouring flights for relaxed patrons who were happily settled in for the afternoon. On the walls are photos of Andrea’s mother, for whom The Nurse, their GSM, is named, and Jim’s dad, for whom The Actuary, a Bordeaux blend, is named.
Be sure to try the rounded, stone-fruity Albariño, which is aged in a concrete egg, and the Stadium Red v.5, which is 100% Cabernet Franc this year. Dahlman has recently partnered with Trothe Wines for their red wine production.
Browne Family Vineyards | 2508 N. Proctor Street, Suite B, Tacoma
Tacoma’s Proctor District is known for its easy walkability, beautiful historic homes and upscale shopping and dining options. Browne Family Vineyards chose wisely when they opened the fourth of their five tasting rooms right on North Proctor Street.
This bustling tasting room/wine bar is clearly a neighborhood favorite as the tables and reservation book were both full on a recent Saturday evening. Browne offers several labels, some of which, such as the City Collection, are tasting room exclusives. While known best for their rich, complex reds, Browne has a full menu of whites, rosés and sparkling wine.
Catering to a lively crowd in their chic space, Browne holds regular Bunco and cribbage nights as well as “book and bottle” reading parties.
Tacoma Wine Merchants | 2112 N. 30th Street, Suite C, Tacoma
Located in Old Town Tacoma, Tacoma Wine Merchants is, like its wine selection, a delightful mix of new and old world. The space is bright and modern, yet with a pressed tin roof and art deco wood cabinetry behind the bar.
Choose from a generous menu of regularly changing tasting flights — the Champagne flights are the most popular, according to staff. Flights and glass pours are available whenever the shop is open, and the staff will happily help you choose a bottle (or two, or as many as you want) to take home. Be sure to check out their wall of Champagne and the row of $20 and under options.
Coming Soon!
Coming to the Brewery District in late December 2024 or early January 2025 is On Blended Knee Winery. Founded by spouses La’Rissa and Michael Dwyer, the OBK name is an homage to both their blended family and to their love of wines. La’Rissa, who grew up in Tacoma, says their tasting room will be “people friendly as well as having food-friendly, inviting wines.”
Michael Rhuland, co-owner of Valo Wine and its sister label Massalto, reports that they are planning to open a Tacoma tasting room in 2025 and are looking for space.
