James Robinson

For those who haven’t visited the Port Townsend Food Co-op’s wine and beer department since our remodel and grand re-opening in August 2019, consider this an invitation to come, discover, and celebrate. 

Since our grand re-opening, and over the last two years, the wine and beer selection has been brought into deep alignment with the co-op’s guiding mission and principles. Aisle 5 is now home to hundreds of offerings from independent craft brewers and winemakers from down the road and around the world – family producers dedicated to clean fruit, wild yeast, organic, biodynamic, sustainable farming and minimal intervention. 

In fact, the majority of co-op wines now boast organic or sustainable credentials, contain minimal sulfur and are free from additives, manipulation, and monkey business. From inexpensive value wines, to scores of reasonably priced daily drinkers and a strong selection of wines worth toasting on a special occasion, the co-op has something for every taste and budget. In addition to Northwest wines, look for rotating special selections from Austria, the Canary Islands, Spain, Slovenia, Georgia, and more. 

Beyond wine, our shelves boast a solid selection of artisanal sake and Japanese craft beer, canned and bottled cider from the Northwest and Europe, bubbles of all kinds, the full spectrum of sherry styles, vermouth and amaro, and one of the largest selections of bottled European beers in the area. 

If you need help choosing just the right beverage for dinner or a party, don’t stress – we’re here to help. If you’ve got bigger plans – a wedding, anniversary, retirement celebration, family reunion, or other occasion – and need help planning and sourcing beverages, look no further. Co-op members enjoy access to our extensive special-order program, which features thousands of products from the region’s most prominent vendors. 

For those looking for a special vintage or hard-to-find item, the Food Co-op works with a number of boutique distributors and can obtain hard to find and highly allocated wines and beers from the Northwest and around the world. While beer special orders generally require a one case commitment, wine can be ordered by the single bottle – no case commitment required. If you’re interested in assistance with event planning or placing a special order, drop by the customer service desk and they’ll get the process started.

In addition to service and selection, the co-op’s wine and beer department will soon offer another new, “member’s only” benefit – the Co-op Uncorked wine club. This new, subscription style club, slated for launch April 1, will offer members a chance to explore the world of wine with either a two-bottle, or four-bottle, monthly commitment. In addition to receiving handpicked selections, member benefits include, swag, tasting notes, first access to allocated or limited release wines, discounts, tasting events, and more. You can learn more about Co-op Uncorked, Local Favorites, and more at
www.foodcoop.coop.

With so much to offer, it’s an exciting time to shop wine and beer at the Port Townsend Food Co-Op. 

And, with the launch of the Uncorked Wine Club, there’s no better time to become a co-op member. See you on Aisle 5.

Cheers!

James Robinson is the sommelier at The Food Co-op. You can read his blog posts on the Food Coop’s website: www.foodcoop.coop/blog.