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North Idaho Wineries and Wine Bars in and near Sandpoint, Idaho

By Gary Lirette

Services for Real Estate Pros

June 26, 2009 03:09 AM

Sandpoint, North Idaho, & Eastern Washington
Wineries & Wine Bars

North Idaho Restaurants

Schweitzer Restaurants

North Idaho Bars

Idaho Cuisine

First, Gary Lirette is the author of the book Passion for Wine published by Hastings House. So, wine holds a special place in this writer's life. While there are many great areas of wine production in the world, it is our opinion that neighboring Washington State makes the best wine on the planet. Travel the awe-inspiring landscape of Northern Idaho and its narrow, far-north "Panhandle" and you will find a loop of 16 wineries; four of the wineries are located Idaho's borders, the other 12 are in Washington. Political boundaries are insignificant in this area, since all lie near the two-state border in the far northwest of Idaho, and the far northeast of Washington.

Ignore the border for a fabulous wine-touring opportunity that combines fine wine tasting with extraordinary travel through the rolling wheat fields of The Palouse, the beautiful and popular lakes areas of Coeur d'Alene Lake and Lake Pend Oreille just east of Spokane, WA. This may be one of the most spectacularly beautiful drives in the Pacific Northwest!

Scenic highways abound in Idaho's Panhandle, leading visitors to viewpoints, through river canyons and rolling wheat fields as far as the eye can see. Other roads run alongside Idaho's largest, deepest and arguably, most beautiful lake -- Coeur d'Alene. The lake's namesake, the City of Coeur d'Alene, is a popular visitor's destination and home to Coeur d'Alene Cellars and nearby TimberRock Winery in Post Fallsl. Lake Pend d'Oreille, to the north, is a visual treat in its own right, featuring the quaint town of Sandpoint at its northern end... another popular travel destination and the location Idaho's northernmost winery... Pend d'Oreille Winery.

Wineries

Camas Prairie Winery in Moscow, ID
Tasting Room & Wine Bar
Tues - Sat: 12 noon - 6:30 pm

Coeur d'Alene Cellars in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Tues - Sat: 11:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Otherwise by appointment. Please call.
208-664-2336

Pend d'Oreille Winery in Sandpoint, ID
Mon - Thurs: 10 - 6
Fri & Sat: 10 - 7
Sun: 11 - 5

TimberRock Winery in Post Falls, ID
Please call for an appointment.
208-777-9669

Other Wine Shops, Wine Bars, and Tasting Rooms

Barrel Room No. 6
Coeur d'Alene Cellars Tasting Room, too
503 Sherman Avenue
Coeur d'Alene, ID
208-664-9632

Enoteca The Wine Shop Inc.
(10 minutes from Coeur d'Alene & Spokane, WA)
112 E. Seltice Way, Ste. Post Falls, ID 83854
208-457-9885

Moscow Food Co-op
221 E. 3rd
Moscow, ID 83843
208-882-8537

Old Post Office Wine Cellar
& Wine Gallery - A Wine Shop, Deli & Wine Bar
245 SE Paradise
Pullman, WA 99163
(Just east of Post Falls, ID)
509-338-WINE (9463)

Pend Oreille Pasta & Wine (Specialty Grocer)
476534 Hwy 95 N
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-263-1352

Wine Company of Moscow
113 E. Third Street
Moscow, ID 83843
208-882-6502

Sandpoint Wine Bars

Enoteca at Ivano's Ristorante
Pretty nice wine bar in the restaurant. As their commercials say, have a taste, buy a glass, bottle, or case.
102 South First Street
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
(208) 263-0211

Coldwater Creek
Really don't like the new digs as much as the old wine bar at the Cedar Street Bridge. It was homey, warm, and typically North Idaho with big, overstuffed leather couches and chairs. Plus, they are a little overpriced, and maybe a bit snobby. The new large upstairs wine bar is more antisceptic than. They have an ever-changing wine list, hors d‘oeuvres, a large fireplace and a great atmosphere. Love their artichoke dip. They also have live music on Thursdays and Fridays.
311 First Avenue
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 265-1912

Dulce (Currently closed, but we hope it opens again)
Dulce is a nice addition to the Sand Creek Grill. While it can be simply for relaxing before or after your meal, it does just fine on its own. They pair wines with appetizers or sushi, and have a pretty nice assortment of desserts and coffee's. Sit by the fire, relax, and enjoy. Super nice..
105 South First Avenue
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 255-5736

Cafe Trinity (Eclectic Southern & New Orleans Cuisine)
Okay, loved it when Chef Gabe used to be there. Before that he was chef at Beyond Hope when we lived on the Hope Peninsula. Then he became the instructor for the local Culinary program, that I helped start. So I kinda like him personally. But now he has left to work at Chimney Rock up on Schweitzer. Their menu features Southern-inspired food, such as gumbo, éttoufé and Po'Boy sandwiches, as well as steaks and fresh seafood. Well, I am from New Orleans, and they do it well. First year they were open they were Sandpoint's best new restaurant. Now they have kept some of that Southern flair, but have tempered their menu to Tapas, with Sushi from Oiishi. Whether you are having dinner on their nice deck overlooking Sand Creek, or sitting at the dining bar and exhibition kitchen, you will enjoy a taste of the South in beautiful North Idaho. Serving lunch and dinner..
At City Beach in the Best Western
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-255-7558
http://www.cafetrinitysandpoint.com/

Three Glasses (Incredible Concert Events)
Once a superlative wine bar and restaurant in the cellar area behind First Street, this venue is the lovingly portrayed efforts of John and Darcy Peters, my neighbors from the Hope Peninsula. Now they feature great bands every weekend, plus other popular events.
202 1/2 N 1st Ave
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 265-0230

Stage Right
A nice little excursion right next to the Panida Theatre on First Street in Sandpoint. Offering primarily Northwest wine, Stage Right replace Wine Sellers by the Lake. Besides having divans and sofas, offering perhaps one of the most comfortable places to relax and enjoy a glass of wine, they also have live music and comedy on certain nights. This is the place to go before and/or after a show at the Panida, but also one of a great bevy of new and existing wine bars in Sandpoint.
302 N 1st Ave
Sandpoint, ID 83864
(208) 265-8116

As usual, my promise is to work 24/7 for my clients, and always be available, not only in areas of real estate, but in mentoring new businesses, finding the right schools, and helping with your job search in this place, your new home.