Click & Mortar: The Birth of the Nectar Tasting Room

A year ago, our good friend Josh Wade over at DrinkNectar.com embarked on a mission–to shed light on the coffee and wine scene in Spokane, Washington, which boasts eighteen wineries including some of the oldest in the state: Latah Creek and Arbor Crest.

Since then, Josh has run headlong into the social media scene with the Nectar Wine Blog, and building an impressive following on Facebook and Twitter. But now, the clicks are turning into mortar.

The other day, Josh Wade announced that the Nectar Tasting Room is opening on the corner of Stevens and Main in Spokane, and will house the operations of five Washington winery satellite tasting rooms.

“Spokane has established itself as a wine tasting destination,” Josh said, “The addition of other regional wineries will enhance the wine experience for local residents and increase the spotlight on the quality Spokane wine producers.” The 2000 square foot space will be a place to taste wine and also enjoy wine by the glass. Nectar Tasting Room will be open Thursday through Saturday and plans on live music for the weekends.

The idea is actually four years old, according to an announcement at DrinkNectar.com. Delving into the blogosphere and social media circles was a means to connect with vinophiles (read: potential customers) even before the opening of the tasting room. Brilliant idea. And the nuts and bolts of the Nectar Tasting Room will be consistent with what Josh has been doing all along. He says, “This will be a unique wine tasting room experience with iPads as menus, a comfortable urban vibe, and activities that promote interactive wine education as an extension of the participating winery’s main location.”

Final negotiations are still in progress but wineries from Walla Walla, Red Mountain, Lake Chelan, Tri-Cities, and Woodinville are joining in. Wade is working with local restaurant designer Josh Hissong to build out the space and expects the tasting room to open in mid to late November.

With the upcoming changes, DrinkNectar.com is becoming Nectar Wine Blog and will house the information for the tasting room, national wine news, and ongoing wine and social media education.

Our congratulations go out to Josh Wade and the wineries involved with the Nectar Tasting Room. We’ll be stopping by when we’re in Spokane.