Looking for the ultimate excuse to go wine tasting in Spokane. Join us for the 27th annual Holiday Wine Festival. This year you can enjoy wine from 24 wineries at 18 different locations. As always the event is the weekend before Thanksgiving so you can stock up on all the wines you will need for dinner and you can get a head start on your holiday gift shopping.

>> DOWNLOAD A MAP HERE <<

Nectar Tasting Room will feature eight wines (including 5 under $16) and several great deals for your shopping pleasure.

MODIFIED HOURS: Friday Noon-10pm. Saturday and Sunday Noon-6pm

HARD ROW TO HOE: Get a little playful with 25% off of six packs of Afternoon Delight and Lickity Split (1/2 bottles). These are fun conversation starters about fun story of Hard Row to Hoe. We’ll also be pouring the Pinot Noir and Zinfandel (both great Thanksgiving wines).

NORTHWEST CELLARS: Enjoy two great wines at a phenomenal price. Enjoy the newly released 2008 Merlot ($15) and the 2011 Chardonnay ($12). Both are a great value for your holiday imbibing needs.

SKYLITE CELLARS: Hiney returns for the holidays. The popular Walla Walla red blend is back for only $15 a bottle, $80 for a six pack and $120 per case ($10 per bottle). Having a big party, or need a lot of gifts, this is a perfect wine for that. Who doesn’t want a little hiney for the holidays. Also pouring the 2007 Skylite Syrah.

TERRA BLANCA: Every holiday table needs a dry Riesling to cut through all the flavors. Enjoy the 2011 Terra Blanca Riesling for only $11. Go bold or go home with the 2008 Red Mountain Cabernet at only $16 a bottle. The rich fruit forward Cabernet will please your wine loving crowd.

OTHER PLACES TO TASTE

Mike Conway, Owner/Winemaker at Latah Creek Winery, says that the spirit of Holiday Wine Fest really hasn’t changed, as it has always centered around gift-giving and exciting new food-and-wine pairings. Now President of the Spokane Winery Association, Mike Conway incorporated Latah Creek in 1982 (the same year as another mainstay, Arbor Crest Wine Cellars), and was part of the original HWF event in 1986. Each year, his wife, Ellena, creates a special 4-5-course meal, a different course to be featured at each pouring station. Latah Creek also boasts one of Spokane’s best winery gift shops, which Ellena will stock with brand new holiday items.

Nodland Cellars is a micro-boutique winery in the Spokane Valley that consistently makes some of the best wines I’ve tried. Tim Nodland (owner and winemaker) is on hand to guide you through the tasting and educate you on the joys of his old world style Bordeaux blend. Noland is also home to the popular ‘Bad Attitude” blend that can help turn any holiday bad attitude into something quite a bit more enjoyable. Join Tim and his team at 11616 E Montgomery in the Spokane Valley (look for the signs).

Joe and Rebecca from Robert Karl

Come downtown and discover the 13 tasting rooms housing 18 of Spokane’s wineries. Enjoy the hidden gems at Robert Karl Cellars (Pacific and Brown) or stop by the Broadview Dairy building (905 N Washington) where you can try wines from Caterina, Lone Canary, and bubbly from Mountain Dome. Exploring downtown is a fun way to enjoy Holiday Wine Festival. There are many places to stop to eat and you can take a break from your day with some shopping or a stroll through the park.

Visit these and Spokane’s many other wineries this holiday season. Holiday Wine Fest 2012 runs November 16th-18th, Noon-6pm. Remember, if you are planning to taste with a group of 10 or more, please be courteous and call the winery ahead of time. Tasting fees may apply. For more information about this event and all participating wineries, visit www.SpokaneWineries.net. Visitor information can be obtained at www.VisitSpokane.com. For wine tours, visit www.GroupCoordinators.com orwww.SpokaneWinerytours.com.

Caterina Winery at the Broadview Dairy Building

Welcome to the fourth quarter of 2012. I’m constantly amazed at how fast time flies when you’re having fun. In the midst of our busy lives I hope we remember to love fully, make a difference in the lives of others, and enjoy great wine with friends. As the weather turns cooler we have a great line up of wine events to help warm your soul. Nectar is a perfect place to hang out with friends. We have live music EVERY Friday night and check out our added Saturday dates below. Enjoy life with friends, drink happy!

OCTOBER 4-6

It’s First Friday weekend! Talent abounds in Spokane’s art and music scene and we are proud supporters of all the artists and musicians who help Spokane come alive the FIRST FRIDAY of every month. Join us this month with contemporary acoustic hits performed by Daniel Mills (Son of Brad) and the Urban Reflections photography display from Kris Ogren of KCO Photography. Reserve a table – call 509.869.1572.

1/2 price 2008 Terra Blanca Cabernet. Regularly $240 per case now only $120 per case

OCTOBER 11-13

• Thirsty Thursday returns with a vengeance. We know you’re thirsty and we’re here to help. As always 1/2 price appetizer plates with the purchase of a bottle and now…15% (25% for members) any 3 pack of wine. Stop in after work and stock up for the weekend. Why a three pack? One bottle for each day of the weekend.
• Friday we welcome for the first time, Tommy G. A well known Spokane musician, Tommy will be playing your soulful acoustic favorites from the 70′s 80′s and today. Music starts at 6:30.
• Saturday is always a fun day for wine tasting with friends. We open at noon and close at 10. The Final Sip is from 9-10pm. If you’ve never joined us for The Final Sip, it’s time to remedy that…STAT.

OCTOBER 18-20

• Friday – music with Rob Bryceson; 6:30
• Saturday – music with Eric Neuhauser; 6:30

OCTOBER 25-27

• Thursday – Thirsty Thursday continues
• Friday – music with Sam Endress; 6:30
• Saturday – music with Ron Criscione; 6:30

HOLIDAY PARTIES AND CUSTOM LABELS

Don’t forget to book your holiday party at Nectar Tasting Room or The Barrel Room (or both). We can host your private, corporate, or charity party for groups of 20-100. Prices are reasonable. Many mid-week prime dates are already filling up, so don’t delay. For rates and details visit our Event Rental page on this site.

Looking for a great way to say Merry Christmas or Thank You to your staff? We can do custom wine labels with any Northwest Cellar wine. Whether you need 1 or 100+ bottles, we can accommodate your needs. We’ve done custom labels for large charity events like The Pumpkin Ball and for small thank you presents. Call today 509.869.1572

Bring on the hot days of summer. The patio is waiting, the air conditioning will blowin’ and the wine will be flowin’. Before you escape each weekend for your recreational activities, come down to Nectar and stock up on your deck wine and boat wine. Every Thursday in July and August, get 15% off ANY Nectar favorite (members get 20% off). Stop by and stock up for your weekends.

Also, don’t forget, if you have a need to host an event in July or August we’re offering every Monday and Tuesday at just $50 per hour. Book your private party in The Barrel Room or the main room now.

July 5-7

Benny is off playing in Wisconsin and Josh will be manning the shop.

THURSDAY we Tango. Join the Spokane and CDA Tango club from 6-9pm  for a night of dancing and fun. Come watch, come learn, come dance!

Stop by for First Friday with abstract art from Leah Crowley and music from a crowd favorite, Maxie Ray Mills. Nectar is always a hot spot so call for large group reservations 509.869.1572

July 12-14

Don’t forget about our Thirsty Thursday sale, 15% off any bottles (20% for members).

FRIDAY: Music from Ron Criscione at 6:30

SATURDAY: Purchase the downtown wine walk and taste at 4 downtown wineries for 50% off. Enjoy wine tasting at Arbor Crest, Cougar Crest, Whitestone Winery and Nectar for only $10. Join us for The Final Sip fro 9-10pm. Help us finish off all the open bottles of wine before they get dumped down the drain. Save the grapes!

July 19-22

FRIDAY: Music from Eric Neuhauser at 6:30

SUNDAY: Want to know more about wine? Whether you’re new to wine or just want to know more about how it is made and what characteristics are found in the wines you buy, TASTE will give you the knowledge. There is no better way to learn than with hands on (or in this case, tastebuds on) training.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE >> http://tastenectar.eventbrite.com/

July 26-28

THURSDAY: 1/2 price appetizer plates with the purchase of a bottle AND 15% off any bottles purchased (20% for members) Stock up for your summer escape to the lake.

FRIDAY: The amazing Traveling Vagabonds return. These two ladies (and gent) provide a high energy show that will surely get your toes tapping and maybe even dancing. Music starts at 6:30

P.S. Thank you for another record breaking month. June marked our third consecutive record sales month. We owe it all to you, Spokane! Help us keep the momentum going through the summer.

Have you heard the news? Wine lovers everywhere are rejoicing with the announcement that Vintage Spokane is coming back to Spokane for a 2nd year. Last year’s inaugural event at The Lincoln Center was a smashing success. Spokane wine lovers came in large numbers forcing the event to move to the larger Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Now we can sip, taste, stay and play! Want more good news? The event costs less, only $45. Want more good news? The event length has been extended. Want more good news? You can buy the wines you like at the event. You can purchase VIP tickets for only $60 and get an extra hour of less crowded tasting and interacting with winery owners and wine makers.

Visit http://www.vintagespokane.com for all the information. The event is Sunday June 24, 2012

WIN TICKETS! IT’S EASY

Entry is easy, we need YOU to help spread the word. Post the following as your Facebook status (or as a tweet) and then leave a comment on this blog so we know you did it. One winner will be selected on June 15 and will receive 2 tickets to the event. While you’re here, go “like” the Vintage Spokane Facebook page or follow them on Twitter.

SAMPLE FACEBOOK POST

Wine lovers rejoice. Vintage Spokane returns to Northern Quest. Over 60 wineries, amazing food, and a fun wine experience. Sip, Taste, Stay, Play http://www.vintagespokane.com on June 24. Win Tickets here – http://drinknectar.com/2012/06/05/vintage-spokane-2012/

SAMPLE TWEET:

Go to @vintagespokane @northernquest 60+ wineries. Sip, taste, stay, play http://bit.ly/jGrZxa  Win Tix HERE> http://bit.ly/L7JAOn

*Nectar Tasting Room is a sponsor and participant in this event

Spokane and wine again? You got it, I never tire of talking about the amazing wine scene in Spokane. With 25 wineries claiming a presence (19 producers), Spokane provides residents and visitors an abundance of grape exploration. Four downtown locations, including Nectar Tasting Room have recently teamed up to provide a walking wine pass.

Arbor Crest (at River Park Square), Cougar Crest, Whitestone Winery, and Nectar Tasting Room are all within 4 blocks of each other. Whether you’re staying at The Davenport Hotel, doing some shopping at River Park Square, or coming downtown for dinner, the tasting pass lets you taste wine at all four wineries for only $10 (regularly $20). The pass can be purchased at all four locations and has a one week expiration date.

Get out and explore.

*The Walking Wine Tour card is not valid on First Friday or Spokane Winery Association event weekends. Limit one pass per person.

Arbor Crest Winery – 808 West Main, 3rd Floor of River Park Square

Cougar Crest Winery – 8 North Post

Whitestone Winery – 8 North Post

Nectar Tasting Room – 120 North Stevens