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New Seasons’
wine bar
builds community
by Deborah Moon
While many grocery stores regularly offer
wine tastings, the New Seasons Progress
Ridge Market takes that up several
notches. Its customers can relax over a
glass of wine or beer at the cozy wine bar
in the heart of the store.
“The wine bar is an innovative concept
in the grocery world,” says bartender
Kandie Anders. “No other New Seasons
has one. It was conceived as part of this
store, which is located at the ‘front door’
of Oregon’s premier wine/grape-growing
region. It was a logical fit.”
Kandie says the wine/beer bar is much
more than a tasting station.
“It has become quite the hangout and
destination of choice for many in the
Progress, Murray Hill, Bull Mountain
and west Beaverton areas,” she says. “It is
a neighborhood community builder, and
many new relationships have been forged
while enjoying a glass of beautiful local
wine or beer on tap at our bar. It is a comfortable
and inviting space, placed strategically
in view of many of the products
from local producers, where our customers
can’t help but get a sense that bringing
New Seasons Progress Ridge bartender
Kandie Anders serves a glass of a local wine
to Margaux Lemma, a customer, friend and
wine distributor.
local products to the neighborhood is key
to what New Seasons is about.”
Though Kandie says her bartending expertise
is limited to being passionate about
wine and being a good listener, she says
sales are “in my blood.” Her grandfather
started a shoe store in Salem, which her
parents turned into “The Shoe Box.” Her
father, Jerry Blum, later founded J. Blum
Importing Co. Though he died young,
Kandie says many older members of the
Jewish community remember him well.
She grew up at Temple Beth Sholom.
The sense of community Kandie experienced
growing up is one she is pleased
to help recreate at New Seasons. She says
many women who would not want to go
into a bar alone feel comfortable stopping
by the wine bar in the middle of a grocery
store. The casual atmosphere regularly
sparks conversations between people who
find out they are neighbors with similar
interests.
The four wines and two beers on tap
daily vary. Some of the wine on tap is
available bottled in the adjoining wine
aisles. But sometimes the bar offers a
wine that winemakers didn’t have in
enough quantity to bottle, so it’s only
available in kegs.
“It then becomes something special
that we can serve, and you can enjoy until
it’s gone and we’re on to the next special
thing,” says Kandie. “There are a couple of
things our customers can usually bank on,
however. Blessed to be within one of the
planet’s greatest growing regions for pinot
noir, you will always find one of these
local beauties on tap.”
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
the bar also features wine or beer tastings.
Often the winemaker or brewer is on
hand to share information regarding the
many varietals and blends they make in
the wine bar atmosphere.
The bar also offers a cheese and
charcuterie menu. And the store has a
substantial deli menu and made-to-order
salads just steps away. Customers are
welcome to enjoy a snack or meal with
their drink at tables in the bar area while
they relax with friends and family.
Open Saturday and Sunday, noon to
10 pm, and Monday, through Friday, 3
to 10 pm, New Seasons’ wine/beer bar
is located at Progress Ridge, 14805 SW
Barrows Road, Suite 103, Beaverton.
Sunday, Sept 23 rd
Vista Hills Winery
J
oin us this summer for
our popular September
wine ride. The tour is fully
supported and includes a
gourmet lunch, wine-tasting
and is capped at 100 riders.
Rides are approximately 30-
40 miles of rolling terrain.
Beautiful wine country
Quiet, rural roads
Acclaimed winery
Bike poker
100% of the profits will be
donated to the Oregon Chapter of
the Children’s Heart Foundation
www.bikegallery.com/wine-rides
Your local family-owned store
since 1974
OREGON JEWISH LIFE | JULY 2012 37