What started as a wine club last year has evolved quickly into a Spokane Valley wine shop.

Julia Carlson opened The Tipsy Vine wine store last month at 18213 E. Appleway, west of Barker Road at the Greenacres Shopping Center.

The new shop offers a variety of wines exclusively from Washington state wineries, ranging in price from $14 to $70 per bottle.

"In Spokane, people love to support local, so I think that's a big draw for a lot of folks," says Carlson. "I try to keep my prices pretty close to what the winery retails them for."

The Tipsy Vine began as a curated wine club in 2023. Carlson is continuing to operate the club out of her new store.

Before creating her own wine club, Carlson was a member of numerous wine clubs across the state, which she says became quite the financial commitment.

"My husband and I, after all these years exploring Washington wine and drinking Washington wine, we ended up being a part of nine wine clubs," Carlson says. 

The couple’s friends and family wanted them to bring bottles to every gathering and be able to enjoy the perks of wine clubs, like learning about and enjoying a diverse selection of wines. They didn't always want to commit, however, to as many different wine clubs as Carlson had, she says.

In November 2022, she came up with the idea to create a single streamlined club that people could join to experience wine from all over the state.

"It's mutually beneficial for myself and for the wineries because the goal is to inspire pride and support in Washington winemaking," she says.

Carlson knew all along that she wanted to open a store to complement the wine club.

"I was working out of Burbity (Workspaces), just to be able to hold my liquor license with that office space,” Carlson says. “I was hosting events in their event space, but we knew that within probably three years, we wanted retail."

The three-year plan turned into more of a one-year plan, however, as Carlson began leasing and renovating the 1,500-square-foot East Appleway storefront last October.

The wine club, which currently has about 25 members, includes three different wine releases each year—in the spring, fall, and winter—during which Carlson distributes either four, six, or 12 bottles to each member, depending on membership level.

"It's a mixture of red, white, sparkling, and rosé," Carlson says.

Wine club release parties are now hosted at the new shop. Carlson says she hopes to continue adding more members to the club.

"We're still working on growing the club and building that community of like-minded wine drinkers,” Carlson says.

The club offers three different membership levels—four bottles at $125 per release, six bottles at $180 per release, and 12 bottles at $350 per release. The 12-bottle membership includes two of each of the six bottles that Carlson selects.

"With every allocation, they're getting an email that's letting them know what wines to expect,” Carlson says. “Then, I usually write a paragraph per wine explaining the story behind the winery, why I chose that wine, how I like to enjoy the wine."

Most members of The Tipsy Vine club live in the Inland Northwest and pick up their bottles at the store during the release parties, but Carlson also is able to ship bottles within Washington state, she says.

Other membership benefits include free wine tastings, 10% bottle discounts, and first chance to purchase bottles that are in limited supply.

Tasting fees for nonmembers are $5 to $10, although Carlson waives the fee when customers buy a bottle.

Carlson, who was born and raised in Spokane, says her upbringing led to her love of wine, which became a hobby before becoming her profession.

Her parents met at the Culinary Institute of America. Her father was a longtime chef at the Manito Golf & Country Club, she says.

"I grew up in a family that has always been obsessed with food and drink,” she says. “Our whole lives have always revolved around what we're eating next, and what we're going to be drinking with that meal."

Carlson says she continues to learn about wine, particularly Washington wine.

“If I’m not learning, then I’m not doing my job properly,” Carlson says.

The Tipsy Vine is open noon-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Small Bites

After years of planning, Kindred & Co., a bookstore and bistro, opened its doors on Feb. 29 at 851 E. Fourth, in Post Falls. The new establishment offers about 20,000 handpicked books, artisan gifts, craft coffee, and gourmet bistro fare from around the world. Kindred & Co.’s 14,000-square-foot space features modern seating, a community room for collaboration, a conservatory, and a dedicated kids’ section. Open Tuesday through Sunday, the bistro’s hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and the bookstore is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 

A new Circle K convenience store and gas station has opened at 70 N. Beck Road, in west Post Falls. The 5,200-square-foot facility was completed by Spokane-based Meridian Construction & Development Inc. and includes 24 gas pumps, a 24-hour car wash, a walk-in beer cave, and an expansive hot-food station. This marks the seventh Circle K in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area.