Southpark's Wine Bar
As an integral member of Portland’s Cultural District and catalyst in Portland’s sophisticated wine scene, Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar has been a wine destination since its doors opened nearly ten years ago. “It’s a big wine world out there,” says Will Prouty, Wine Director at Southpark. “If we expect people to wander off the familiar paths, we have to earn trust and lead the way. I’m confident our program is doing exactly that.”
Known for its regional fresh seafood and full-flavored cooking, Southpark carved out its place in Portland history as the first downtown wine bar. Southpark’s wine list groups the wines by style rather than region or varietal, allowing guests to select wines they might not recognize but can have confidence in because they know what to expect.
Southpark features approximately 120 selections from a dozen countries and nearly 50 different varietals, with a new emphasis on locally produced Oregon wines. “Our vision to include more local producers is a natural part of our evolution,” Prouty says. “When Southpark opened, we wanted to bring a high level of value and innovation to our guests. The Oregon wine industry has progressed dramatically over the past decade and we think it’s exciting to see winegrowers and winemakers experimenting with so many varietals and styles.”
In May of 2005, Southpark received Restaurant Hospitality Magazine’s 16th annual “Best Wine List in America” award in the “Short List” category. The award stems from Southpark’s adventurous and diverse wine list – put together within a fun and creative package. Southpark’s food and wine have also been nationally recognized by Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Sante, Wine Spectator, The Seattle Times and The Oregonian. Salud!