Urban winemaking. It almost sounds like an oxymoron.

But it’s one of the best trends in wine in the last 10 years. It allows winemakers to work in collective or shared facilities – lowering the costs and barriers to entry, and giving them the freedom to experiment with varietals sourced all over the place. And that leads to a newness and freshness that these emerging winemakers thrive on.

Urban wineries certainly inspired me as I began Cellar 503 and I’m excited to share four wines that have emerged from the urban wine scene in Portland and Eugene.

Our first red is a big, bold blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon called Sienna from Seven Bridges Winery. Our second red is a Grenache from club favorite J. Scott Cellars in Eugene.

Our first white is a Grenache Blanc from an urban winery new to Portland, Oak Flat Vineyards and our second white is an Albarino from another new member of the Portland urban winery scene, Adega Northwest.

I hope you’ll enjoy these wines as much as I do!