Life with Bernie- an Adventure in Urban Wineworks’ “Yappy Hour”

July 1, 2008

By Leigh Brown

Leigh's Wine Buzz

Obviously it has been quite a while since I have written my last wine blog. I was out of the country for some time during the insane winter holidays but I admit it is mostly because I have a new addition to my life and I’m happy to say, it weighs under 50 pounds and puts a smile on my face from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed. His name is Bernie. My boyfriend surprised me with an adorable border collie mix around Christmas time after he saved him from the Oregon Human Society. Normally I say with wine, life couldn’t be better but with Bernie, life is now the best.

So why am I mentioning my canine companion in a wine blog? To answer your question, let me tell you, there are so many things you can do with a dog in Oregon such as hiking, trail running and camping. But one can also hold a leash in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. The best place I have found thus far for wine tasting with dogs is Urban Wineworks, where I work.

Photo: Bernie (left) and his friend Cooper

Many of us at Urban Wineworks own dogs and when you visit almost any vineyard, there is usually someone to greet you behind the wine bar and also on the ground, nestled at your feet or nudging you to take notice of them for a free pat on the head. At our store in Northwest Portland, we decided to not only remind people that dogs are welcome any day of the week, but that we want to give back as well. The last Wednesday of every month, we now host “Yappy Hour” and we have partnered with the Oregon Humane Society. We give them a percentage of our bottle sales and a place to get the word out about adoptable dogs. From 6-8 p.m., you can sample wonderful wines while socializing your dog and meeting other wine/dog lovers. Even if you don’t own a dog, it is well worth seeing this event. You may even decide to adopt a dog…

So it may sound a little crazy. A wine tasting room with dogs? Did I mention it is FULL of dogs? Imagine this, leashes entwined, glasses of wine swirling about and a smile on every man, woman, and pooches’ face. On such evenings, one can experience a themed event including games, dog treats and an activity to do or watch. Suzanne Hein from Lexi Dog is a big sponsor as well and she always brings information about her adorable dog boutique in the Pearl District. Our website has a link to our Yappy Hour calendar and pictures from previous events. It’s well worth a look!

I should also mention that there are many other wonderful things about Urban Wineworks besides a venue for dogs and their owners to mingle. Urban Wineworks is the tasting room for Bishop Creek Cellars, which is a winery located in the Yamhill-Carlton District of the Willamette Valley. Bishop Creek Cellars makes fantastic Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris that pair with a variety of foods and any occasion. At Urban Wineworks, you can sample flights of Bishop Creek as well as a few others. Each month boutique flights are offered, which are based on specific themes. I picked the last one where South African wines were featured and the beauty of it is staff educate themselves on wines as well as the customers that walk through the door. Public classes are also offered twice a week, the most popular being the “blend your own wine” class. Here you learn to blend heavy red varietals from Oregon and Washington and create your own bottle to take home. It’s fun, educational and interactive. I’ve taught the class a million times and I never get bored doing it because it’s a fascinating topic and exciting to see people’s creativity with wine.

And don’t forget First Thursday, among many other events we participate in and promote. At Urban Wineworks you can find diversity unlike any other in Portland as far as events, playing with wine, and tasting fabulous wines in the city. And to top it off, we've got a fun staff ready to assist you. Lastly, you can book the venue for private events and parties (by contacting me!) and create your own experience at our store.

Whether you come alone or with a dog in hand, Urban Wineworks always has something new to taste, experience and enjoy. And if you are lucky, Bernie will be there to great you at the door.

For more information on wine tasting in the Portland Metro area, please visit our Attractions section.

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